“It is,” I agreed with a nod. “Which is why I’m done hating you, Jojo. You loved Shannon, too. He lied to you, too. You lost him, too. We’re no different.” I reached into my bag, pulled out the purchase agreement, and set it on the table. “Everything is all laid out for you. If you have any questions or problems, I need you to let me know before the end of the week.”

“Before the end of the week?” she echoed incredulously. “Today is Wednesday. I need more time to look this over—”

“By Friday close of business, Jolene,” I said, standing up from the table. “I need that signed by Friday close of business.”

“Darcy… I don’t understand. What’s the rush? Why can’t I get this back to you next week?”

I picked up my glass and drank the last of my cocktail. “I will be out of the country next week.”

“Out of the country?” she parroted. “For how long?”

I shrugged and gave her a smile. “Hopefully, indefinitely.”

19

Tomás

Warm, inviting light shone from the windows of Jared and Brandi’s home as I rang the doorbell. Standing on their stoop, I considered that by this time tomorrow, I would be in Costa Rica. Everything was planned. The tickets had been purchased, the villa reserved, my bags were packed. Everything was set up to keep Son of Martin running smoothly while I was gone. Tropical heat, palm trees, and La Pura Vida awaited me. Still, the thought of leaving had my stomach in knots. I hadn’t figured out why. It wasn’t as if this was the first time I’d ever left home or traveled abroad. The trip had no end date, but it wasn’t as if I was never coming back. My friends and family would be here when I figured things out. But for some reason, I couldn’t shake the feeling that this decision had some gravity or finality to it. No matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t shake that feeling, and it made me reluctant to leave. Regardless, Brandi had decided that this Friendsgiving dinner would also be a going-away party for me.

Friendsgiving.