Two years. Two years since Jake had very nearly sent Faye into a psych ward. Two years since he had left after shattering her into a million twisted little pieces. Broken maybe not beyond repair, but she'd never work the same. Two years that Melissa had spent, looking after her friend, nursing her heart, picking up the shards scattered about, kissing them while Faye had her back turned, to ease the pain of the trauma. Two years spent flanking her best friend like a foal to a mare, or a dog to a heel. Yet if anyone had paid any attention they'd know it was not in fact Faye leading Melissa around, but Melissa following her, watching over her. Two years that felt like Ten, so much had happened, so much had grown between the two of them. Two years spent forging a connection she knew neither of them had ever had with anyone else before, and probably would never find in anyone else thereafter.
Two years, that in a second seemed to crumble before Melissa's eyes the moment Jake walked by the boat house. Two years that suddenly seemed fragile and brittle and all the hard work threatening to fall apart. Two years that would have been all in vain if Faye ran back to him. As Melissa looked up at Faye, whose attention was riveted on Jake, she could feel the cruel bite of defeat, adding on to her already grief-stricken heart. Two days since she'd lost Nick. And now, she was going to lose Faye.