Chapter 25

CHAPTER 25

DARCY

I 've been scrolling through my camera roll, looking at old photos of Milo and me. It's something I've avoided doing for months, afraid of the pain it might bring. But this morning, something feels different.

I pause on a picture from our last anniversary dinner. Milo's arm is around me, both of us smiling at the camera. I brace myself for the familiar pang of heartache, but instead, I feel... nothing. No anger, no sadness, not even a hint of nostalgia. I stare at Milo's face, trying to summon any emotion at all, but there's only a calm indifference.

Realization washes over me like a warm wave. I'm over him. Truly, completely over him.

I let out a laugh, surprising myself with the joy in the sound. It bubbles up from deep inside, a release of tension I didn't even know I was holding. I'm free.

Standing up, I walk to the mirror and look at myself. There's a brightness in my eyes that I haven't seen in months, maybe years. I look... happy. Excited, even.

I return to my phone, scrolling to Milo's contact information. My thumb hovers over the delete button for just a second before pressing down firmly.

Contact deleted.

Next, I open my social media apps. Without hesitation, I archive or delete the old posts with Milo. As each one disappears, I feel lighter.

My gaze drifts to the suitcase by the door, packed and ready for a new adventure. For the first time in a long time, I'm not afraid of the unknown. I'm ready for it. Ready for whatever comes next.

A soft knock on the door interrupts my thoughts. "Darcy?" Cody's voice calls out. "Are you ready? We need to leave for the airport soon."

"Coming!" I call back, a smile spreading across my face. I take one last look in the mirror, straightening my shoulders.

"I'm ready," I say to my reflection, and I mean it in every possible way.

I really thought breaking the news to Maya would be more difficult than it was, but it almost seemed like she was expecting it. After all, she’s been telling me for years to get out and live a little. She says I never take any risks.

Well, this is definitely a risk.

“Okay, so I’ll start packing up your stuff in your apartment. That way, all you’ll have to do is sign the paperwork once you come back to get everything,” Maya tells me in the car on the way to the airport. She’s in the middle of the backseat, head sticking up into the front seat where Cody is driving and I’m riding in the passenger’s seat. “And I’ll run by the office to get your last paycheck for you. And I’ll make sure to steal your broom back from that bitch in the apartment above yours.”

I laugh at my goofy best friend. She certainly knows how to make a bittersweet situation feel a lot less bitter.

“I’ll miss you,” I tell her.

Her eyes soften, and she takes my hand, squeezing it tightly.

“I’ll miss you more. But don’t worry, I’ll come visit super soon, and I will send you a selfie at least once every five minutes. Just so you don’t forget what I look like.”

I laugh. “As if I could ever.”

Maya and I share a look for a moment before she gives her attention to her older brother. “And you, Mr. Lover Man . You’re going to take care of my best friend, aren’t you? No funny business.”

Cody gives a solid nod, but I can see the amused smile twitching at his lips. “Yes, of course. My top priority will be making sure my beautiful princess is properly cared for. If I don’t, feel free to execute me in the square.”

Maya rolls her eyes. “You are so dramatic.”

Cody and I exchange an amused look as he pulls into the airport drop-off lane. He puts the car into park, and the three of us climb out. He gives me an understanding nod as he goes around to retrieve the bags, giving Maya and me a moment alone.

“Will you be okay?” I ask, my voice beginning to tremble, which sets Maya off even worse. She lets out a quiet sob and nods.

“I’ll be fine, babe. I’ll miss you to death, though.”

I nod. “Same here. I never thought I would have to know what it feels like to not see you every day.”

“Yeah…” Maya agrees with a sad smile. She takes both of my hands in hers and squeezes tightly. “This is good, though. Really good. I’m so proud of you, Darcy. I mean, my God, look how much you’ve grown in a week. This is fucking incredible. You’re so brave.”

I scoff. “Brave? Please?—”

“I’m serious!” she exclaims. “Never in a million years could I do this. You’re fucking incredible, D.”

I shake my head and start to argue, but before I can respond, a truck pulls up, absolutely blaring its horn. I notice that it’s a truck with the resort logo on the side, which makes perfect sense when the driver gets out, and it turns out to be Louis. Maya’s face immediately lights up like a firework show.

“Louis!” she cries happily, squealing when he runs over and gathers her into his arms, picking her up and swinging her around as she giggles.

“I can’t believe you were going to leave without saying goodbye,” he gently scolds her, setting her back down on the floor and gazing down into her eyes with the kind of adoration that makes me believe in true love again.

“I thought it would be too hard,” Maya admits. “Saying goodbye is going to break my heart.”

“I know. Me too,” Louis agrees. “Which is why I’ve decided to come with you.”

“ What ?!” Maya, Cody, and I exclaim at the same time, with varying amounts of panic. Maya seems ecstatic, I’m in disbelief, and Cody is downright disgusted.

“I cannot live without you, my love,” Louis tells Maya with the kind of sincerity that can’t be faked. He takes her hands and holds them with the intent of making sure everyone around him can tell just how tightly he’s gripping. Like he’s announcing that Maya is his and only his. “If you’ll have me, I’ll follow you anywhere.”

Gross. But no matter how disgusting I think it is, Maya seems to think it’s the best thing she’s ever heard because she’s giggling with joy and nodding vigorously. “Yes! Yes! I want you to come!”

“Oh, for God’s sake,” I hear Cody groan in exasperation, which only makes me all the more supportive of my best friend’s new companion. Maybe Cody is a sweetheart— my sweetheart—but I still think it’s funny to see him so worked up over his baby sister having a boyfriend. He’s such a cliché.

“Oh, stop it!” I scold him. “Be happy for them. They found love. You gotta hold onto that once you get it.”

Louis nods in agreement, staring at Cody. “It’s true. And I do love your sister. More than I have ever loved anyone or anything ever before.”

Cody eyes Louis warily but takes a step closer. “You mean that?” he asks, and Louis nods vigorously.

“I swear. I will never hurt her, for as long as I live.”

Cody thinks for a moment, then gives a small nod. “Well, alright. I give you my blessing.”

Louis thanks Cody profusely, gathers his and Maya’s bags, and walks hand in hand with her into the terminal. Cody and I stay outside. I don’t think I can handle having to watch my best friend get on a plane. It might break my heart.

“You know what you said about love?” Cody asks after a moment of sad silence. “That you have to hold onto it?”

I nod. “Yeah. What about it?”

Cody shrugs, but I catch the small smile spreading on his lips. “Nothing. Just that I’m glad you stayed. It’ll make it easier to hold onto you when you’re sleeping in my bed with me.”

I blink, putting the puzzle pieces together. “Wait… you mean…”

Cody takes my hand and squeezes it tightly. “I love you, Darcy. A lot. And I think I always have.”

I think I might literally burst with excitement. I didn’t know it was possible to feel this happy. I never thought another man would tell me he loved me for as long as he lived, let alone Cody. But God, am I glad he did.

“I love you, too,” I tell him softly. “More than I ever thought it would be possible to love anyone.”