He placed my old black flip phone on the bathroom counter before leaving. I stared at it for the longest time before spitting out toothpaste and reaching for it.
Felicity, I want you to know you are a remarkable, strong, and beautiful human being. Despite what you may think, your past does not define your present, nor your future. Rest tomorrow, save your energy for the Gala. –Theo.
I tried to think of one reason why I shouldn’t text him and couldn’t find any. I’m so nervous I can’t sleep. I feel like everything is riding on tomorrow, and it makes me sick. I’m not as strong as either of us thinks. I’m scared, Theo.
He replied immediately: What do you need?
My heart drummed faster and my hands shook.
Me: I don’t want to do anything. But can I come over?
Theo: I’m still at the gala hall. But I’ll send over a car for you and meet you at my place.
Me: Thank you.
Theo: You never have to say thank you to me.
Smiling, I closed my phone and already felt better. I couldn’t deny I felt the urge to get dressed up even though I felt like shit.
“So you’re going?” Cleo was waiting for me when I came out of the bathroom. Her hair was still in pigtails, and she was holding a glass of wine.
“The last week’s been rough. I need a change of scenery,” I replied on my way to my room to get my bag.
“Scenery has nothing to do with it. You should get over this on your own and not with—”
“I’ve been trying that, Cleo! I’ve been trying to do it on my own, but I’m so tired. I’m so tired I feel like breaking down. I just want to get through tomorrow, and Theo… he makes me feel okay. I want to feel okay. Is that so wrong?”
“We used to make you feel okay, Felicity. Not him!” she yelled.
“It isn’t enough anymore!” I screamed, and she looked at me like I had slapped her across the face. “You know I love you, Cleo, but it isn’t the same anymore.”
For some reason, whenever I was around her I felt worse and not better.
“Fine. Go to your prince charming, your Mr. Darcy. See if I care. But don’t come crying to me when he throws you out.”
“Don’t worry, I won’t.” I took my things and stomped to the front the door. Mark looked between us but didn’t say anything.
Giving him a small smile, I left. I could hear the rain beating down on the world as I stepped outside, and I knew the car wasn’t here yet, but I’d rather wait out here than inside with her. I stood at the entrance of my building, watching the heavy rain slam the concrete. I wanted so badly to stand under it, but I remembered when Theo got sick and thought better of it. The last thing I wanted to do was fall ill before the gala.
A familiar sleek white Bentley pulled up, and Nolan, who wore a black driver’s hat, came around holding a large umbrella for me to stand under. Rushing to my door, I came out early enough to allow a bit of the cool summer rain to beat against my skin.
“It’s nice to see you again, Nolan.”
“Likewise, ma’am,” he said, placing the umbrella over my head and leading me to the car.
I got in the backseat, shivering at the sudden change in the air. I smoothed my hair to one side and noticed immediately we weren’t heading in the direction of Theo’s penthouse.
“Nolan, where are we going?” I asked, staring out at the window as we turned on Eighth Avenue toward the highway.
“Mr. Darcy requested I take you to his mansion.”
“The one on Wallingford Drive?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
It was where we’d met. It felt like forever ago and not just a few short weeks. It was funny; the first time, I was all dressed up, my hair curled perfectly and makeup flawless. Now I was going in jeans and a button-down yellow shirt, my hair drenched and only ChapStick on my lips.