Page 93 of Plot Twist

Would it be possible to think of anything more with Drew?

It didn’t matter any more that we weren’t together or that he’d been with Rae. He had tried to reconcile with me, ice cream truck and all. But he had gone on to make Rae feel secure and happy. That’s what mattered now. In fact, I was glad she’d had him. Felt comfortable. Had the best of nights with the best of friends. I wanted her to be happy. That’s all you ever wanted for someone you loved, wasn’t it? I didn’t know if it was the possible cancer speaking or the grief over Rae, but I felt that I was finally at peace with it all.

Did that meanIwas willing to try again with him? I had loved him once. Drew could be my second-chance romance. Like Riley and Jackie. It was possible to forgive and forget, they’d proved that.

‘I can’t think about it just yet,’ I said, eventually.

He nodded, placing his hand on my arm. I put my hand over his.

‘So, are you going to read the letter?’ Drew asked after a few moments of silence.

I stared at the outside of the envelope he stretched out in front of me, studying her handwriting. I smoothed my hand over it, feeling connected to her again. and soaked up all my memories of Rae. Her beautiful, confident smile, the mischievous look in her bright eyes, the sound of her loud laugh. I prised it open and held it in my hand. Drew sat still beside me, as if he was holding his breath.

Dear Becca,

If you’re reading this, it means we’ve had yet another EPIC night out and I’ve loved every minute of it. We’ve probably danced until our feet are sore and laughed ’til we snorted. Our nights out are always the best when it’s just the two of us.

That’s why I don’t want this letter to change anything between us. I’ve been so nervous to tell you this but please read it all the way through to the end.

So, I moved to Edinburgh to be with Mickey, but, as you know, it didn’t work out. I felt really low for a while, like I just kept making all the wrong choices. . . But I did like my job here, so I decided to stay in Edinburgh anyway. Give it a go.

I bumped into Drew.

Yes, I know how much he hurt you. But there’s somethingyou need to know– it was Mickey that told me he saw Leila and Drew together that night. He eventually admitted that he lied about it so you guys would break up. He thought Drew was interested in me. He thought every guy was interested in me. I’m so sorry I believed him and told you about it. I know it ruined your relationship.

I wish I’d never met Mickey, but that’s another story.

Anyway, I planned to tell you that Mickey had made the whole thing up. But Drew and I started spending time together in Edinburgh.

This is the hardest thing to say to you. Drew and I accidentally fell in love, Becca. I don’t know how else to explain it. I tried to ignore it at first. I tried to just be friends because I couldn’t bear the thought of hurting you. But the truth is, I love him more than I’ve ever loved anyone. He makes me happier than I ever thought I could be.

We’re living in Edinburgh together and we want to plan a future together. But, before we do, I had to tell you. The last thing I want is for this to get in between us. I’m trying to sort my head out and get my life back and telling you about Drew is the final piece in the puzzle. I’ve carried around so much guilt and anxiety already. I hope that by telling you all this, I can let at least some of it go for good.

I know it might take a bit of time to think through. Take all the time you need, and I’ll be right here when you’re ready.

I love you forever and a day.

Rae x

Tears spilled onto the page. Drew sat beside me and wrapped his arms around me. And for that moment, we were united again in grief for our Rae, the love of our lives.

44

Drew sprawled out under a blanket on the couch, playing on his phone while I watched the clock ticking on the wall.

We’d stayed up talking into the early hours about Rae. Reminiscing. My heart felt a little lighter. Drew had been right when he said we were the only ones who really understood. We laughed, we cried, and we took long, comfortable silences while we gathered our thoughts. I texted Adam along the way with the memories I’d promised him.

Drew filled me in on stories of the two of them as a couple that I’d missed, too.

The New Year’s Eve party and ‘best time with the best friends’ had gone on until six a.m. In the early hours, Rae insisted that everyone team up with a partner to sing duets. There was Sonny & Cher, ‘Summer Nights’ fromGreaseand ‘Shallow’ by Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper. Rae insisted on singing the Rihanna and Eminem duet, convinced she was a rapper, so she took on the part of Eminem, while Drew warbled the high notes. He said they’d rapped the whole way home and slept until 2nd January.

He showed me a picture of the ring he’d picked out for her, too. A beautiful three-stone diamond ring, symbolising past, present and future.

He couldn’t bring himself to tell me how he’d planned to propose to her. He choked up and lost the words. I didn’t push it.

‘Morning,’ I called.

‘Hey,’ he replied.