Page 42 of Written in the Stars
“You love me.”
“You had the audacity to compare my life to a romantic comedy.” Darcy scoffed. “You sound like Brendon.”
Annie said, “Speaking of your brother. You didn’t tell me he’d gotten so cute.”
Kill her now. “Don’t be gross, Annie. That’s my little brother you’re talking about.”
“Iknow.” Annie said something else to the driver in German, too fast for Darcy to catch. “He was always adorable, but now he’s—”
“Stop. Do not pass go and whatever you do, do not finish that sentence.” Darcy shivered.
“I’m just saying! Objectively. He rarely posts pictures of himself and when he does, they’re these shoddy cropped selfies with the worst lighting and half the time he’s got his thumb partway over the camera. You’d think with limbs as long as his he’d get his whole self in the frame, but no. He posted that group picture of you guys and it was a shock. Little Brendon grew up nice, is all I’m saying.”
Darcy sniffed. “Brendon is handsome, yes. Of course, he is. He’smybrother.”
Annie chuckled. “Okay, okay. No more drooling over your little bro. Got it.”
Gross. “Thank you.”
For a moment, Annie was silent. “How are you really doing, Darcy?”
Darcy sucked on her lower lip, shrugging even though Annie wasn’t there to see. “I’m all right.”
“Darcy.”
She dropped her chin. “I’m confused.”
Annie’s sigh was soft. “I didn’t mean to laugh. Not if you’re not laughing, too.”
Friends since fifth grade, Annie had been there through it all—Darcy’s parents’ divorce, moving away to the same college, the death of her grandmother, new jobs, new relationships,failedrelationships. Annie had packed up most of Darcy’s apartment, the apartment she’d shared with Natasha, just so she wouldn’t have to deal with it. Annie might tease, but if anyone could imagine how confused Darcy felt, it was her.
“I know you didn’t. It’s fine. It’s— I just need to calm down. I’m blowing everything out of proportion.”
She’d give Elle her wine and get out, go home, and put her head down. With eight weeks until the FSA exam, she needed to focus. Not on how Elle tasted or how her laugh made Darcy’s chest throb, but on studying. Just yesterday, her boss had asked how her exam prep was going before dropping the bomb that her coworker Jeremy wasalsoscheduled to take his final FSA exam in January. Mr. Stevens wanted to give the promotion to Darcy since Jeremy had only been at the company four months to Darcy’s six, but if she didn’t pass...
She’d pass.
More of Annie’s rapid-fire German came through. Darcy eyed the wine at her feet. “Look, Annie, I should let you go. Call me later, okay? When you’re not in a cab.”
“Wait. Darcy? I’m not going to be like your brother and pressure you to put yourself out there if you’re not ready, but life’s short. Carpe diem.”
***
What Holiday Activity Are You Based on Your Zodiac Sign?
Aries—Snowball Fight
Taurus—Baking Cookies
Gemini—Ski Trip
Cancer—Holiday Movie Binge
Leo—Caroling
Virgo—Secret Santa Gift Exchange
Libra—Volunteering
