restaurant. All I could think about was how grateful I was that we’d driven separately.
“Wow,” Lilah said after everyone watched Christy go.
“Sorry you all had to see that.”
“I’m just glad you’re not getting back together with that bitch.”
“Broderick,” Lilah said.
“She hacked into the guy’s phone. For no reason. He wasn’t cheating on her or anything even close.”
It was true. I had never given Christy a reason not to trust me. I’d been cheated on, so I knew what it felt like. I’d promised myself I’d never do that to someone else. Christy just hadn’t liked my modeling. Even though it was something she’d loved about me when we’d first met.
“Broderick’s right. She’s kind of a bitch,” I agreed.
“What got her so pissed off?” Dan asked.
I opened my phone and showed him the message and book cover.
“Damn, Trav,” Lilah said, fanning her face. “That’s hot.”
My face warmed. “Thanks.”
“Are you going to do it?” Dan asked. “Do you remember who this author is?”
I smiled. “Yeah, I remember her.”
She was so different from Christy. My ex would never have gone to breakfast with no makeup, and Christy would never have taken falling on the floor the way Sydney had either. Christy would have been pissed at everyone laughing at her. Sydney had been embarrassed, but she’d taken it in stride. I’d thought of her a few times since I’d seen her.
“So, what are you going to do?” Lilah asked. “Tell her yes or tell her no?”
Fourteen
Sydney
Thanks for asking. I’d love to accompany you to the book signing.
I stared at the message one more time just to make sure that was what it said even though I already knew it did.
“I’m sure he’ll be here,” Lexie said, trying to reassure me.
“Yeah.” But I wasn’t sure.
It was April, and the book signing was supposed to start in half an hour. I’d given Travis the information, and he’d agreed to come, but so far, he’d been a no-show.
I understood that things happened. Harper was supposed to come with me today but had gotten the flu. But it would have been nice for Travis to tell me he wasn’t coming. I wouldn’t have been mad, and I also wouldn’t feel like such a fool.
I had paid for his modeling fee. I had told the coordinators he was coming. And, now, I was being stood up.
I had been so excited that he’d said yes. It was practically all I’d been thinking about for the last week. If I were honest with myself, really, the last month. And he’d forgotten.
I knew I should have reminded him since we hadn’t messaged each other for a month. Not since I’d given him the final details for today. I just hadn’t known what to say. I hadn’t wanted to be pushy.
I’d known there was no chance he’d be interested in me, but apparently, hope was a stupid bitch who had played a trick on my subconscious.
I picked up a copy of Beautifully Broken from my large stack. His picture taunted me. Now, I was stuck, looking at him all day.
“I bet you’ll still make some good sales,” Lexie said.
I smiled at her. “I’m not worried about that. I never make more than I spend on a signing. However, I wouldn’t have brought so many books with me.” I looked at the box behind me, filled with my new novel. At least it would last me several signings. And I could always do some signed giveaways to my readers.
“I’m going to go use the restroom real quick. You’ll be okay?” I asked my niece.
“I’ll be fine.”
I found the nearest restroom, used the toilet, and went to wash my hands. While I rinsed the water off, I looked up in the mirror and blushed. I had gone out of my way, doing my hair, carefully putting on my makeup, and picking out my outfit.
I felt ridiculous.
I grabbed a paper towel and got it wet, and then I removed the red lipstick I’d put on my lips. I was a ChapStick girl anyway. I rarely ever wore lipstick, even when I wore makeup.
I dug until I found my brush in my purse and brushed out my hair, curls and all, and found a hair tie. I pulled it up into a messy, semi-stylish bun. It would be easier to sign books without my hair in my face.
Maybe it was a good thing Travis hadn’t come. I was more comfortable now, even with just the two changes. I would, however, like my fifty-dollar modeling fee back.
I