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“Which is bullshit,” Binx says. “If I liked girls and we were dating, Tess, I’d be stoked. You’re a foxy snack with gorgeous curves and Disney princess hair. And who cares about age anyway? Love is love.”
“I agree,” I say.
“Well, obviously,” Binx says, rolling her eyes again. “We know you appreciate what Tessa has to offer. You appreciated it so much you acted like a dirty, cheating scoundrel. We don’t need your input on how amazing Tessa is. We need you to figure out what you’re going to say to Darcy. Personally, I’d recommend lying. I know that isn’t usually your style, but it’s the most merciful choice. That way Darcy never knows you cheated, Tessa doesn’t become more of a target, and Daria will move on to picking on someone else.”
“We could just say it happened this past October,” Tessa says. “Instead of the one before. That would be…mostly true.”
I sigh and drag a hand through my hair. “Yeah. That might be best. I don’t want to cause more damage than I have already. I’ll work on something and call Darcy in the morning.”
“This can’t wait, Wes,” Binx says. “That’s why we’re here. Daria is like a ticking time bomb. The more time you give her, the more likely she’s going to crawl in Tessa’s bedroom window and explode.”
“You can both stay here tonight,” I say. “I have extra clothes and toothbrushes and—”
“I can’t stay here,” Binx says. “I have a very important date with my bed tomorrow. I already have snacks in the pantry and a full season of Masters of Ink ready to binge. I need to wake up in my familiar, cozy place to enjoy my day of sloth.” She motions toward Tessa. “And I’m sure Tessa has a life, too. Or work or something.”
“I’m actually off for the next two weeks,” Tessa says, “but I’d rather get this settled and get home. I know I won’t sleep well with the Daria thing hanging over me.” She strokes the now sleeping Freya’s head. “And I don’t have food here for Freya.”
I’m about to insist that I have to wait until at least seven a.m. tomorrow—Darcy isn’t a night owl and it’s already after midnight—when my phone buzzes in my pocket.
I pull it out, my stomach sinking as I see the name on the screen.
“Who is it?” Binx asks.
“Darcy,” I murmur, backing toward the door to the kitchen.
“Answer it!” Binx hisses. “Answer it and lie your face off. It’s for the greater good!”
I lift a hand, signaling for her to quiet down as I move quickly through the door into the kitchen. I tap the screen to answer, already knowing I’m not going to like whatever Darcy has to say. “Hey,” I murmur, willing my heart out of my throat. This is the first time we’ve spoken since she came over to pick up her things from her drawer in the bedroom after the breakup. “What’s up?”
“Daria’s here,” Darcy says, her voice tight, though I can’t tell if she’s upset with me or her sister. Daria and Darcy are as close as most twins, but that doesn’t mean Darcy doesn’t get sick of her sister’s antics. There’s a reason she never goes out with Daria on weekends. Darcy’s as chill and conflict-avoidant and Daria is hot-headed and wild. “She told me you’re dating Tessa Martin.”
“That’s not true,” I say, my jaw clenching as I hear Daria yelling in the background.
“Daria stop, I can’t hear him,” Darcy snaps, proving she’s about as excited about this late-night drama as I am. “Yes, I’m serious. Be quiet or I’m hanging up.” Once her sister has settled, Darcy asks, “So you aren’t with Tessa? And she didn’t say I was a prude with a stick up my ass?”
“I’m not seeing anyone right now.” I chew the inside of my lip, my conscience prickling too intensely for me to leave it at that. “Tessa and I went camping together once, last October. That was it.”
“Camping, your favorite,” Darcy repeats wryly. “Well, good for you. I’m glad you’re moving on.” There’s a squawking sound from Daria in the background, but Darcy shushes her. “Truly, I am, Wes. And don’t worry about Daria. I’ve let her know that there’s no battle to fight here.”
“Thank you,” I say, hating that I hurt Darcy, but grateful tonight didn’t make things any worse. “I wish you nothing but the best, Darcy. I hope you know that.”
“I do,” she says, the sadness in her voice twisting the knife a little deeper. “Take care, Wes. And apologize to Binx and Tessa for me. Daria’s sorry she ruined their night.”
Daria squawks something else—presumably insisting that she doesn’t apologize because Daria never apologizes—but Darcy ends the call a beat later.
I take a moment, stretching my neck to one side and then the other, releasing the tension in my jaw before turning to see Binx standing in the doorway leading into the living room.
“Sorry, I was eavesdropping,” she says. “Sounds like we’re good?”
“We’re good,” I say. “Darcy’s called off the dogs and we ended the call amicably.”
Binx sags against the doorframe. “Awesome. What a relief. But seriously, someone should put a muzzle on Daria. She’s an agent of chaos. Thank God you didn’t let her move in with you and Darcy. Can you imagine?”
I shudder. “I can.”
“One of you would have been dead in a week. Probably you. No offense, but she’s way scarier than you are, even when you’re in tough guy mode.”
“No offense taken,” I assure her.
