“That’s great, sweetheart,” Mrs. Morgan chimed in. “Very exciting!”
“Getting famous so your old man can retire early would be great. How soon can the book go on sale?” Brianna’s father teased while beaming with pride.
“I’ll let you know, Dad.” She laughed before turning her gaze to mine.
Mr. Morgan and I went back into the living room and turned the game back on while Brianna helped her mother with dessert.
“Do you remember what you asked me at Brianna’s birthday party when you guys were in second grade?” He rested his chin on his hand and raised an eyebrow at me.
“No, I’m sorry, I don’t—”
“You asked me, if you made a lot of money, could you marry Brianna?”
I moved to the edge of the couch cushion and rested my elbows on my knees. “I did?” I had to laugh. Even back then, I knew Brianna was a pipe dream.
“Well, I think that’s a moot point now, don’t you think? I mean, Scott—”
“Listen,” he interrupted as he leaned closer. “I’m older than when you last knew me, but I’m not blind.”
He leaned forward to squeeze my shoulder. “Second chances and opportunities aren’t meant to be squandered just because they aren’t easy.”
He cocked his head before a grin split his mouth.
“I’ll be here when you ask me again.”
Brianna
“HOW LONG HAShe been back now? And more importantly, how is Scott taking to having competition?” My friend Amanda chuckled as she motioned to the bartender for a refill of the bland happy hour white wine.
“Almost two months now.” I swiveled on my bar stool to glance at the entrance. I asked Josh to meet us at the bar next to my office. Amanda worked in this area, too, and had been badgering me for weeks to meet the “guy behind the letters.” She was a college friend, so she wasn’t privy to Josh’s crash and burn or my miserable senior year. “And he’s not Scott’s competition. We’re close friends, nothing more than that.”
A giggle escaped her as we finally got a drink refill. “We’re close friends, but . . . ’” she smarted as she gave me a once over. “I don’t remember meeting you anywhere and finding you perched on the edge of your seat awaitingmyarrival. Plus, you work Josh into almost every conversation lately. Brianna Marie, I think you have a crush on your so-called ‘friend.’” Her lips twitched with a smirk as she swallowed a gulp of wine.
“That is not true. I just want to make sure he sees us.” I narrowed my eyes before they darted back to the door.
“We’re theonlytwo at the bar,” she snickered. “And we are seated directly in front of the door; this place isn’t exactly huge. How often do you see him lately?”
“Not very often,” I shrugged as I swished my wine around in the glass. “A couple of times a week, maybe.”
“And . . . you see Scott how often?”
I snorted my wine. “Lately, just Saturday nights. During the week, he’s too busy. He goes over the books with Todd on Sundays. It’s a new business, I guess they have a lot to do.”
The first few weeks of his sudden absence stung, especially when the only contact we had were short texts with long lags in between. I understood this was his baby and he wanted to give it his all, but I felt less like Scott’s girlfriend and more like a dusty plant—the kind that you keep out of obligation and water it whenever you happen to remember.
“I know a lot of people who own their own business, and they at least give themselves a break once in a while.” Amanda leveled her gaze at me. She was never Scott’s biggest fan, so I didn’t expect her to cut him any slack.
“He’s an intense type of guy. You know that. When he used to work at Chamberlin, I could never pry his phone out of his hands.”
“I remember.” Amanda nodded before turning back to me. “And if I recall correctly, you weren’t nearly as tolerant as you are now.” She sighed and leaned closer. “Don’t get mad at me, but do you think you’re so . . . understanding . . . this time because Josh is in the picture?”
“No!” I replied a little too quickly and loudly. “I told you. We’re just friends.”
“Okay, so if you don’t have a crush on Josh and he’s single, maybe you could set us up.” She cocked an eyebrow. “You said he’s covered in tattoos, and you know that’s my weakness.”
“Um,” I stammered. “Sure . . . I guess if you—” I didn’t know how to answer that. They were both single. Amanda was pretty; Josh was gorgeous. Why wouldn’t I try to set them up? When I pictured them together, it sickened me so much I had to swallow the bile rising in the back of my throat. I sucked in a breath and tried to offer a coherent reply.
Amanda raised her hand as soon as I tried to open my mouth. “That was a test. And you failed miserably.” She let out a long sigh while shaking her head. “Relax and start breathing again.”
