‘Did you tell him …?’ He trails off, not saying the words, but she knows he means their kiss.

She shakes her head. Maybe it was wrong of her—she had cheated on him—but the kiss wasn’t why she broke things off; it was simply the catalyst for her being honest with herself.

Darcy’s relieved that she’s told Ed, but the heaviness of the moment still hangs in the air, like a big rain cloud squashed into the small space of Ed’s apartment.

‘So, what does this mean?’ His eyes flick up to meet hers. She wonders if he’s asking what it means for them. Is he expecting her to confess feelings after their kiss? Darcy’s felt the glimmer of such emotions but has locked them in a box at the bottom of her heart. She can’t bare them to Ed. What if he doesn’t feel the same way? What if a few precious words ruin their whole friendship? It’s hard enough already trying to recover from that kiss.

‘It means I have to find a new place to live.’ She decides to concentrate on the logistical problems rather than the emotional ones. She can’t afford the place on her own, and she’ll be glad to get a new space, one that’s not connected to all her history with Drew.

His eyes dim. There’s an expression on his face that she can’t quite figure out. ‘Yeah, of course. I’ll keep my ear out for you.’

‘Great, thanks.’ And just like that they reforge their friendship, pretending nothing has changed, but aware everything has shifted.

Chapter 53

53

Penelope hasn’t told the producers the truth. Despite her better judgement, she’s agreed to go on the show and tell Ty one last time that they’re over. As far as the producers are concerned, she just doesn’t want to be with him anymore. Darcy tried to push for more details, but Penelope had purposely been evasive. Lara had tried to convince her to be honest with Ty, but she wasn’t going to be talked around. She would speak nothing of the cancer, nothing about dying. She’s simply there to tell Ty that there is no future for them and to let him move on.

But in the back of her mind she wonders if he’ll notice a difference. Will he know just by looking at her?

She knocks on the door and waits. She can’t help but look at the camera—with the lens pointed directly at her. Darcy, the producer, catches her eye, offering her a warm smile and encouraging her to look back at the door.

She hears footsteps. Her stomach, already twisted, knots a little tighter. She thought her heart would be racing, but it feels like it’s stopped altogether.