“We didn’t realize . . . you were here,” Nate stammered. “The spillover from the party ended up in my apartment so we decided to come back here. We can leave.”

“No. It’s almost midnight,” Matt replied and stood up.

Jorden rose and walked out of the apartment with him. “I’m sorry.”

“It’s okay.” Matt’s longing look seemed to say otherwise. “Well, are we still on for tennis this Wednesday?”

“I’m up for it,” Jorden replied.

“Excellent.” Matt kissed her cheek and sprinted down the stairs.

Jorden stood at the hallway window and watched him run to his car. The remnants of rain steamed up from the pavement.

Chapter 9: November 1969

Chapter 9

November 1969

Jorden wrote Alex a long letter. She needed to shake off any sense of regret. Matt Ulster wouldn’t intrude on her life—she wouldn’t let him. But, she would let him help her pass the time. At the end of May they would go separate ways. This approach seemed simple.

Still—sleep eluded Jorden. When she got up at ten, she found her roommate in the kitchen sipping coffee. A smile danced on Darby’s lips.

“Don’t give me that grin,” Jorden sighed.

“What about you and Matt seated so cozily on the couch?” Darby’s eyes lit up.

“There’s nothing to it! I need some coffee. I didn’t sleep well.” Jorden reached for a cup when she noticed the empty pot.

“Nate had some this morning. I guess I’m finishing the last cup,” Darby replied.

“Oh, he stayed the night?” This time, Jorden turned the focus onto Darby.

“No. Not here. We went back to his place later. Nate walked me back this morning, and I made us coffee.” Darby looked down at her engagement ring and tilted it into the sunlight—no other explanation was needed.

Frustrated without her morning coffee, Jorden decided to have hot tea. She put a kettle of water on the stove and turned it on high. “Have you heard from Emma Lynn?”

“No. She said she’d be back around seven tonight.” Darby took another sip before she got up and rinsed her cup. Of the three roommates, Darby always cleaned up after herself. Jorden tried and Emma Lynn rarely did. Darby stopped drying the cup and turned to Jorden. “I have a couple letters for you.”

“Wha . . . what?” Jorden stammered.

“Look, Nate and I were in a hurry early last night, and I didn’t notice it was your mail. Sorry, I just stuffed it in my purse on the way out and forgot about it.” Darby’s eyes turned downward.

A burst of annoyance flashed across Jorden’s face.

“I’m sorry. I’ll get them.”

“Thank you.” Jorden trailed behind Darby. The kettle began to whistle. Hot steam shot out with a deafening pitch.

Darby spun around and yelled, “Get the kettle!”

Jorden crashed into Darby.