Once Upon a Date - Susan Hatler Page 0,31

this way and that in front of the mirror outside of our dressing rooms.

“How is it so easy for you to get the right dress? I’m getting all hot and sweaty trying these dresses on and they look terrible on me. I still haven’t found the one I want.”

“Try on this one,” she said, handing me a new dress.

I took the gown into the dressing room and put it on with zero hope of it looking good. I mean, I could only take so much disappointment. “Can you zip me up?” I asked.

I stepped out of the room and Krista’s mouth dropped open. “Oh, my . . . you look just like Cinderella,” she said.

“Really?” I looked in the mirror and had to admit, it did look magical. The blue dress sat just off my shoulders, the fitted bodice giving way to a beautiful full skirt, which fell to the floor in soft folds. All I needed was a pair of long white gloves.

“You’ve found your dress,” Krista said.

“I think you’re right,” I said, turning to look at the fit from all angles. “Your boss sounds like she’s having a rough time. Why don’t you talk to her? Maybe she’s having some kind of breakdown or something. Communication is key, after all.”

Krista looked thoughtful. “Yeah, maybe you’re right. Anyway, Brooks will flip when he sees you in that dress. A modern day, real-life city girl princess, just like in your book.”

“My book . . .” I dropped into the chair and rubbed my temples.

“Oh, no. Did you lose the bet?”

“No, I won,” I said, and told her about my dilemma with Jodi versus Brooks. “I’m so tempted by the other offer. I mean, the advance is almost double what Brooks is offering. More importantly, she genuinely loves my book. Brooks, on the other hand, really wanted me to change my ending and it took a lot to get him to change his mind. I basically had to make him fall in love with me, which he hadn’t thought was possible.”

“So, you get two for the price of one. Not a bad deal.”

“Except that Jodi loves my book, just as it is. Her offer is better financially, too. But my loyalty is with Brooks. Which is where it should be. Right?”

“Sounds complicated.” She turned around so I could undo her dress, and as she disappeared back inside her dressing room she echoed my words back to me. “Why don’t you talk to Brooks? Didn’t someone once say that communication is key, after all?”

I rolled my eyes and then laughed. Always good to have my own advice thrown back at me, forcing me to have a conversation that was sure to be awkward at best.

****

After leaving Krista, I wandered up to Brooks’ building, stopping to grab a coffee from Courtney on the way. It was lunchtime, so there was no chance to talk but I blew her a kiss and took my coffee to go.

I was a little early for my appointment, so I loitered outside Prince & Company Publishing, drinking my coffee and wishing I had brought some gum, or a packet of mints to take away the coffee breath. I smiled at myself being presumptuous and had to remind myself that I was there on business, not as Brooks’ girlfriend.

Of course, that thought made me smile even more. It had been a long time since I’d called myself anyone’s girlfriend, and while Brooks and I hadn’t done the whole “we’re together” talk, he had admitted that he’d fallen for me.

As I traveled up the elevator to Brooks’ floor, I thought again about the phone message I had received from Jodi. I hadn’t called her back with an answer yet, because I wanted to wait until the contract with Brooks was signed, sealed, and delivered before I did. While I knew I would definitely go with Brooks’ offer, I couldn’t help but feel a little bothered about the difference in advance amounts. With the money Brooks would give me, I’d be able to pay off Phillip’s rent problems, but with the offer Jodi had made, I’d be able to do that, replenish my savings, and treat myself to that pair of sparkly heels I’d been wanting.

The elevator slid to a smooth stop with a ping, and I couldn’t help but remember getting stuck in here with Brooks, which seemed like ages ago. A pang of annoyance flitted into my thoughts as I recalled him scrutinizing my book. Okay, maybe that word