I glance around, then snatch my cherry lip balm off the dresser.
“Not that! Oh. My. God. I can’t with you.”
I roll my eyes. “Then what?”
She grabs the engagement ring off the table and slams it into my hand.“This!”
Oh.
16
Maddie
Addie: Outside in five
Coming
I shrug on my jacket, close my eyes, take a deep, soothing breath, and open my arms wide. Facing the mirror, just like my motivational book instructed, I recite six affirmations to start my day:
I am worthy.
I am successful.
I am smart.
I am competent.
I am in control of my emotions.
I am in control of my reality.
One more breath. In through my nose, out through my mouth. I try to release the nerves clawing at me about my first day at M-Squared. Putting asidewhoI will be working for.
Nate and Leo’s company is one of the fastest-growing innovative architecture firms in the city, and a place like this on my résumé is worth more than my insecurities.
Still, if I’m being honest, it makes me feel equally anxious.
It’s been years,ten to be exact, since we broke up, and I’m doing fine now.
It’s all fine.
Fine.
God, listen to me.
Corey: Good luck today, sweetheart. Love you. xo
Great, perfect timing.
My phone dings again, and thankfully, it’s Ads.
Addie: Where are you? You’re going to be late!
Oh shoot.
I grab my bag, shut off the lights, and enter the elevator. I sprint through the lobby, waving to the staff as I go.
Addie is parked at the curb in her mom’s blacked-out Range Rover. “Let’s go, Maddie Grace Cunningham. Traffic is going to be a fucking bitch.”
