“Eat chocolate and mope in front ofGrey’s Anatomygirl?”
“Exactly.”
Poppy sat up, staring down at Jess with a stern look. “Listen. I admire you for wanting to change. You know I do. But you know as well as I do that’s just an excuse in this case.”
“I think it’s a good excuse.”
“We’re talking about the premiere of a show you worked hard on, not some drunken rave.”
Jess groaned and curled onto her side, hiding her face in the duvet. Her chaos-to-calm plan was failing miserably. She’d lost the cottage. There hadn’t been any news of the job she wanted at the new Rangiora maternity hospital and if she did miraculously get it, it seemed impossible to find somewhere to live out there in this market.
And worst of all, she couldn’t stop thinking about a stupid guy who was getting married to her doppelganger. Did she really want to go to an event and spend an hour watching him on-screen in high definition?
“Is this also about Nate?” Poppy asked, rubbing Jess’s back.
“Maybe.” Jess grudgingly conceded, her voice muffled by bedding.
“Jess, look at me.” Pulling the covers down, Poppy smiled at her gently. “You’re a successful, capable, amazing woman when you’re at work. You deserve success in your personal life, too.”
“I’ve been trying, but I keep messing up and—”
“Hey, I know.” Poppy stroked Jess’s hair, comforting her. “I think you just aren’t clear about what you’re looking for in a man.”
“I’m not looking for any man at all.”
Poppy tipped her head in disbelief. “We both know that’s not true.”
“Fine.”
“So what are you looking for, Jess. What do you deserve?”
Jess sat up again and ate two more pieces of chocolate, her head spinning. What did she deserve? Her whole life she’d watched her mother date disloyal men, men who rushed into their lives like tornados and rushed out just as quickly, leaving a mess behind. She’d followed that same pattern. Did she deserve more? Something more like her grandparents’ relationship? Slow, loyal, calm.
“I feel like I’m in therapy,” Jess offered Poppy more chocolate, finishing off the block together.
“Nurses make good therapists, so…” Poppy nudged her shoulder. “What do you deserve?”
“I thought I was the bossy one,” Jess leaned against her friend, considering the question and thinking again of her grandparents. “I deserve a man who is genuine and takes the time to get to know me, not just someone who falls in love with how I look.”
“Totally. You deserve someone loyal and as amazing as you are.” Poppy wrapped her arms around Jess and gave her a tight squeeze. “Nothing less for my best friend.”
“Now, come on.” Poppy jumped out of bed, retrieved the long rose-gold dress from the hook on the back of the bedroom door and held it out, running her hand longingly over the silk. “If this was my dress, I would not be letting it go to waste.”
“You’re welcome to wear it instead.”
“What? Miraculously grow my legs five inches and develop D-cups? Do you have a fairy godmother hiding under the bed for me?”
Jess sighed. It was a beautiful gown and, until the call with the real estate agent, she had been looking forward to wearing it.
“Fine,” she agreed. “But I’m not staying past midnight.”
“Cinderella never does,” Poppy said, holding out a hand to help her up. “Let’s go turn this pyjama-clad mess into a princess.”
“Thanks a lot,” Jess said, feigning offense, but accepting her friend’s hand and allowing herself to be pulled to the bathroom to get her hair and makeup sorted. If she was going, she wanted to look her best.
Not because of Nate. She’d never steal another woman’s man. He was taken, and that was that. Poppy was right, she deserved a loyal man. But she couldn’t help wanting to see him one last time.
HAVING ARRIVED LATE,the red carpet was almost clear by the time Jess walked up the town hall’s entrance. She showed her ticket and was ushered into the back of the theatre, finding a seat at the rear with some of the camera crew.
