So how do I move on when my times with Logan were the best parts of my life?
I reach for my laptop.
I’ll put them into my novel.
Chapter Twenty-Four
“Hey, Mace.”
“Hi, Gin.” I put her on speaker phone as I stare into my bathroom mirror and attempt to fix my hair, which has been frizzy all day from the unusually high humidity outside. “Are you coming to The Cowherd tonight? My father has requested your presence. He wants all four contestants to make an appearance on our busiest night of the week.”
“Mama told me. I’ll be there. So will Dave,” she says. “But are you ready for Logan and Gigi’s engagement party tomorrow?”
No.
“I’m trying,” I say.
“We’ll hang out together,” she says reassuringly. “See you soon.”
When I walk into The Cowherd an hour later, the bar is packed. I’m talking wall-to-wall patrons, including my entire family.
I rush over to the bar, pushing Free and Riley aside. “Daddy! You know you’re not allowed near the bar, especially when it’s this crowded and I can’t keep an eye on you.”
“Evan’s here.” Daddy waves to his sober companion standing discreetly between the taps and my father’s stool. “He’s taking care of me. Don’t worry.”
Evan gives me a thumbs-up, and I nod to him in relief.
“Baby, I love your print top.” Mama nods approvingly at my light orange and red spaghetti-strap shirt. “Where did you get it?”
“San Antonio,” I tell her. “This really amazing store that sells all handmade items from Mexico.”
“It goes perfectly with those jeans and cowboy boots.” Mama taps my foot with her own high heels. “You know, I think our little talk the other week was a good luck charm. You look better already.”
“Thank you, Mama. I think.”
“And theater rehearsal starts this week.”
Great.
I look suspiciously at my parents as they both beam at me. “Why is it so crowded in here?”
“MakeYourMatch.com went live this morning,” Mama says proudly. “Benny! Show your sister what you’ve done.”
Ben winks at me as he opens the swing door and I slide behind the bar.
I look down at his laptop and the photos of Logan and Gigi, and Ginny and Dave on the homepage.
Two pairs of contestants in the Make Your Match Contest: Which Soul Mates Will Finally Give Jane Austen Her Independence Day?
Daddy points to the big booth behind him. “All four contestants are here tonight.”
Gigi and Logan, Ginny and Dave are sitting with Blake and—
“Who are the two Gigi look-alike blondes?” I say.
Ben chuckles. “Gigi’s two sisters. Both married and on a girls-only vacation.”
“Isn’t that great?” Daddy beams. “And we got a slot on the news. We’re on TV in ten minutes.” He points to the flat-screen already on above my head. “The reporter was here all morning, making sure he had his facts straight. Real nice guy.”
