Page 42 of Hang the Moon
“The object is to move the ball through the maze of gears and corridors. It’s a puzzle, but it’s pretty enough to be kept out.”
Darcy smoothed her hand over the laser-cut wooden maze featuring intricate mechanics Annie knew would appeal to her analytical side. “I love it. It looks like a piece of art.”
Annie smiled and silently patted herself on the back for a job well done. She prided herself on being stellar at gift giving and she was proud to say she’d outdone herself.
“Do you mind if we just order in?” Darcy asked. “I’m kind of beat and I want to hear more about what you’ve been up to.”
“Sure, works for me.” Minus the talking-about-herself bit.
Darcy cocked her head. “So.”
Annie bit down on the tip of her tongue and smiled.
“You’re acting weird.” Darcy’s eyes narrowed. “You’re quiet. You’re never quiet.”
She scoffed. “I can be quiet. Maybe I’m tired.”
Darcy’s brows rose. “Areyou tired?”
No, but that was beside the point. “I wouldn’t mind a cup of coffee. Your espresso maker hates me.”
“Annie.” Darcy stared at her and she stared right back. Darcy caved first, rolling her eyes. “What did you do yesterday?”
Kissed your brother.Annie swallowed thickly and gave a noncommittal shrug. “I went for a long run. I saw the, um, sculpture park?”
Darcy nodded for her to go on.
Annie scratched the side of her neck, her skin suddenly itchy, tight. “Then Brendon swung by and we went to—well, it’s a funny story.”
Darcy’s brows rose again. “Okay... I’m all ears.”
Her stomach twisted in on itself, contorting into a pretzel. “We went to karaoke.”
“Karaoke?” Darcy wrinkled her nose.
Annie shrugged. “It was fun.Funny.I had a lot of fun.”
The most fun she could remember having in a long,longtime. Too much fun.
Darcy’s eyes narrowed. “What’s with your face?”
“My face?” Annie’s eyes widened. “There’s nothing happening with my face.”
“Hmm.” Darcy cut her eyes at Annie. “No, there’s definitely something going on with your face.”
Annie’s cheeks burned. “My face is just my face, Darcy. If you don’t like it, don’t look at it.”
Darcy pursed her lips. “What aren’t you telling me?”
“Nothing.” Her voice came out as a squeak and she shut her eyes. “Fuck.”
Darcy snickered. “You’re a shitty liar.”
Darcy didn’t have to sound so damn happy about it.
Annie sighed and slumped back against the couch. “Okay, don’t kill me.”
“I’d never kill you. Depending on what you did, I might maim you a little, but I’d never kill you.”
