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I would be saying these lines directly to Tessa by calling Maisie's phone. Maisie warned me up front that she wouldn't be the one answering, like she didn't want to hear my voice at all.

Was I reading too much into it?

I honestly didn't know.

But even if I was right – if the sound of my voice bothered her – could I really blame her?

Not really.

Maisie sounded so happy when I agreed that my own sadness faded just a little – until she'd ended the call barely a minute later.

It wasn't until the line went dead that I realized I'd never told her how sorry I was about her dad.

Damn it.

Somehow, some way, I would need to make it right.

In the meantime, there was at least one thing I could do. On the allotted day and time, I made the call, borrowing Walt's cellphone to keep who was calling a surprise.

It rang twice before I heard Tessa's voice, sounding thoroughly confused. "Hello?"

I took a deep breath and said what needed saying. "I just want you to know, it's okay."

Sounding flabbergasted, Tessa asked, "What's okay?"

I almost smiled. Score one for Maisie. This was definitely a surprise. Trying to sound mysterious, I said, "You'll see."

"When?"

"Any minute now." Or at least, I was pretty sure it would be any minute. Maisie had been very specific about the time. And finally I said it, the important line I'd been rehearsing in my head. "Don't say no to anything because of me."

And then I hung up, just like I was supposed to do, with my part officially over.

Even so, I would've given just about anything to be there.

Not for Tessa's parade.

But for Maisie.

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Delaney

I was lathered in the shower when I heard someone hollering my name. And not just any someone.

Walt.

He sounded frantic, like he was having a heart attack. My own heart kicked into overdrive as I shut off the water and stopped to listen.

He hollered again. "Delaney!"

A jolt of panic shot through me. Oh, my God.

This sounded serious.

With barely a rinse, I jumped out of the shower and rushed to the tiny window, which I'd left open to let out the steam. Pressing my face to the screen, I hollered out toward his cabin. "What's wrong?"