Page 97 of Hang the Moon
“Nope. You’re exactly like one of those Lucky Charms marshmallows I watched you feed Elle in her kitchen the other night when you thought no one was watching.”
Crunchy on the outside, but melt-in-your-mouth sweet.
Darcy buried her flushed face in her hands.
Annie sat up and threw her arms around Darcy’s neck, rocking them both from side to side. “I’m happy you’re happy.”
“Me too.” Darcy drew back, the serious look in her eyes undermining her smile. “You know my guest room always has your name on it, right? Even if Elle moves in—”
“When.WhenElle moves in.”
“When,” Darcy said with a nod. “My apartment is large enough for three people if you want to stay for two weeks or two months or two years or—”
“Whoa.” Annie held up her hands, nipping that idea in the bud. “I’m not crashing your love nest, Darce.”
“You wouldn’t.” With a vehement shake of her head, Darcy set her jaw. She looked fierce, bound and determined to reassure Annie.
Annie wrinkled her nose. “Pretty sure Ididcrash. Showing up unexpectedly—”
“Well, now I’m inviting you. I’masking,” Darcy said. She drew her lip between her teeth and blinked several times in quick succession, dispelling the glassy sheen that had formed in her eyes. “This place is big enough for three people and you’re my best friend and you and Elle get along like a house on fire.”
This was all true, but... “What happens when you want to cook naked or—”
“That’s just asking to wind up with third-degree burns somewhere embarrassing,” Darcy blurted.
“Oh my God. I’m not cockblocking my best friend in her own apartment. The last thing you and Elle need is a roommate.”
Darcy frowned sharply. “The last thing I need is my best friend moving halfway around the world.”
It was the first time Darcy had so bluntly expressed her displeasure over Annie’s potential move since their original conversation.
Annie drew her lip between her teeth and nodded. “I know you aren’t thrilled—”
“Thrilled?” Darcy scoffed. “I’m notthrilledabout Elle bringing a bunch of multicolored glassware into my—ourkitchen. I’m notthrilledwhen I have to work late on Fridays. I’m notthrilledwhen I forget to pack a lunch. But this?” Her bottom lip trembled. “I’m devastated, Annie.”
Annie winced and turned away. “I know—”
“You don’t.” Darcy rested her fingers on the back of Annie’s hand. “You don’t know. Because I’m—I’m upset about you moving, but what kills me is that I messed up.”
Annie’s head snapped to the side. “What?”
“Let me finish,” Darcy demanded, expression stern despite the red rimming her eyes. “I took you and I took our friendship for granted.”
“You didno—”
Darcy squeezed her hand and frowned. “Isaidlet me finish.”
She rolled her eyes but pressed her lips together, holding her tongue.
“We’ve been friends since middle school. We moved across the country together for school. We shared a dorm and an apartment and—you’ve always been there. After everything happened with Natasha—”
Annie sneered at the mention of Darcy’s terrible ex.
“I needed a fresh start,” Darcy continued. “I needed distance. But not from you. Never from you.”
A lump formed in Annie’s throat, making it hard to swallow. It was a good thing she wasn’t allowed to speak.
“I should’ve been better about texting and calling andbeingthere even if I was here and you were there. If that makes sense?”
