Chapter Sixty-Six

Natalie had texted her parents with her flight itinerary but told them she’d take a cab from the airport. It was going to be late, and she didn’t want to have to explain to them why she was home and looking like shit.

She dragged her suitcase behind her and adjusted her backpack on her shoulder as she walked toward the doors.

“Natalie!”

She stopped and looked around, her eyes not capturing anyone familiar. Maybe she was hallucinating. It was late and she’d been traveling for what felt like forever.

“Natalie, wait up!”

Natalie turned toward the voice. “Grace?”

Grace barreled into her, nearly knocking her over and sending her suitcase flopping onto its back like a turtle. “You didn’t think we would actually let you take a taxi home, did you?”

Natalie sighed against Grace’s shoulder. A wave of gratitude hit her hard. “How did you even know?”

“Your parents called me. They told me you were rushing home and I figured it was because you fucked everything up with Darcy again and you could probably use a friend.”

Natalie followed Grace toward the exit. She was too exhausted to argue. “You’re right, I did.”

Natalie spent the drive home explaining everything that happened. “It was so great. I was so happy, we were so happy.” She paused. “I really thought this was our chance. But then she got offered that job without me and it felt like getting cut all over again. And then when Coxie was flirting with her, Darcy didn’t tell her we were dating. All of it felt like I was reliving college all over again.”

“So you ran away, is that right?” Grace’s voice was gentler than her words.

Natalie watched the city lights roll by out her window. “You’re the one who told me not to trust her. You’re the one who said she was going to break my heart all over again.”

In the light of the passing cars, Natalie could see Grace’s hand tighten on the wheel.

“I know it’s my fault. She got her dream job and I made it about missing out on a trip I’d planned for us. It would have been great if she’d talked to me about it first, but I wasn’t going to tell her to pass up her dream job to go away with me. We would have found a way to do something else. But...” Natalie searched for the right words. “But I wanted her to think of me, you know? Instead she accepted the job like I didn’t exist, like I hadn’t fallen in love with her all over again. I did freak out.”

Natalie’s head rested against the seat. She stared into the dark. “When Coxie flirted with her and Darcy didn’t say she and I were together, it felt final, like she’d decided we were done.” She sighed, the excitement of seeing Grace fading away, leaving her weary from her long, emotional trip. “I couldn’t be the only one fighting for us, you know?”

Grace steered her car into the driveway. A streetlight illuminated half her face. “You’re my best friend. If you honestly tell me that Darcy LaCroix is an asshole bitch who ripped your heart out, I will curse her name and swear to hate her until my dying day.”

Natalie laughed, high and slightly hysterical.

“But from everything you said, I don’t think that’s what happened. I think you love her, and it scares you so much you ran away because breaking your own heart has always been easier for you than letting anyone get close.”

“Shit,” Natalie said, her voice a low growl.

Grace patted her arm. “That’s what I thought. Come on, let’s get you inside. You have to sleep so tomorrow we can figure out how you’re going to win her back.”