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“I’m sorry, Jace,” she whispered to the empty room.
Darcy flopped back on her bed and stared up at the ceiling. Her mind replayed the wonderful time she’d had talking and laughing with Carter tonight—holding hands as they walked down the street and enjoyed the movie. If only he had kissed her.
Her mind spun. To feel remorse for moving on from Jace while hoping for a relationship with Carter left her conflicted and confused.
She pushed up from the bed and wandered into the bathroom to take a shower. She couldn’t make heads or tails of her complicated feelings, but she knew one thing for sure: She was falling for Carter Donovan. She just hoped he felt the same way about her—and she had a strong inkling that he did.
***
The following morning Darcy awoke to the sound of her phone ringing. She reached over and grabbed it off the nightstand and hit the speaker button.
“Hello?” Her voice sounded hoarse.
“Darcy,” Mom sang through the phone.
Rubbing her eyes, Darcy sat up. “What’s up?”
“Great news but terrible news. Our friends, the Pfeiffers, canceled. Remember how they were supposed to spend the Memorial Day weekend at the beach with us? Anyway, we’d love to see you since we’re freed up. Come out and have some fun.”
“Like... right now?” she asked.
“Yes, as soon as you can. Bring your new boyfriend, who isn’t really your boyfriend, with you. Oh, and invite Haven and Derek too. We have plenty of room and plenty of food.”
“Um...,” Darcy hedged. “I don’t know.”
“Why not? The weather is beautiful. Call Carter and tell him you’re heading to Coral Cove for the remainder of the weekend. It’s only Saturday. You can enjoy almost three days down here.”
Darcy considered what could happen if she invited Carter to spend the weekend with her parents. Her mother might start talking about the kidney transplant, or she might talk too much about Jace. Either way, Darcy would wind up crying. She couldn’t let that happen. “I’ll invite Carter, but you need to make me a promise.”
“Anything.”
“Don’t mention the kidney transplant. I haven’t told him about it, and I’m not ready. Tell Dad too.”
“Mum’s the word, and I’ll instruct your father not to say anything either. Now get your butts down here. The weather is too beautiful to waste.”
“I’ll call you soon with an update,” she said before disconnecting. She opened her last chat with Haven and shot off a text message:
Darcy: Hey. Wanna go to the beach?
After a few moments, the chat bubbles appeared.
Haven: Right now?
Darcy: Yup, now.
Her phone rang with a call from Haven.
Darcy answered the call. “Is that a yes?” she said.
“Let me get this straight,” Haven began. “You want me to pack and go to the beach now?”
Darcy leaned back against her headboard and folded her legs under her. “My mom just called and asked if you and Derek want to come. There’s plenty of room.”
“You should invite Carter.”
Excitement shimmied through her at the idea. “My mom said that too, but I don’t know...”
“Aren’t there five bedrooms?”
