Once Upon a Date - Susan Hatler Page 0,39
.” I wrinkled my nose and cringed. “I was being metaphorical about being on the sidelines. You know, the sidelines of life and love.”
Her eyes widened and she nodded. “Oh, I get it.”
“Don’t suppose you can help with a solution to either of those problems?”
“Sorry,” she said, smiling. “I’ve got challenges of my own in that department.”
Missy leaned in closer to me. “Shouldn’t we be exercising right now? You might feel better.”
I sighed. “To be honest, all I want to do is stuff my face with ice cream and donuts, so exercise is the last thing on my mind.”
“It will pass, Michelle.”
Since Brooks had been the love of my life for a decade, I doubted it would pass, so I decided to change the subject. “It’s not all bad, actually. I signed the contract for my book, Once Upon a Date. She loves the title and says she’s keeping it.”
Missy’s face lit up. “And why are you only telling me this fabulous news now when I’m holding a tray and can’t hug you? That’s amazing, Ms. Published Author! Did you end up publishing with a different editor at Prince & Company?”
So much for changing the subject.
“No, I went with the other publisher, Paradise Bound. They offered a larger advance and better terms. I am happy about the contract. It’s just that . . .” I trailed off, not knowing how to finish the sentence.
“Just that it’s not with Brooks? Well, thank goodness for that, right?”
I loved the way Missy always sided with me. “When he and I dated when we were young, I would’ve changed schools just so I could be with him. To me, love comes before everything. And I felt the same way with the contract. I gave him my word, so I would’ve honored that, even though the deal wasn’t as good.”
“Doesn’t sound like a good decision business-wise.” Missy balanced the tray of drinks on one hand as the whistle blew for half time, and she managed to put her free arm around my shoulder. “It’s a good decision morally to keep your word, though. I know you’re a loyal person. And Brooks is just a—hey, careful!” She balanced the tray as the players crowded around her, grabbing the cups, all hot and sweaty from their time on the field.
“Thanks for getting the orange juice, Missy.” Krista grinned as she took a drink. Then we passed the rest of the cups out to the players, who hadn’t received any yet.
“So,” I said, as Missy set the empty tray down. “Were you about to say that Brooks is a boyfriend of the past?” I asked, wishing I could push him there in my mind.
“Actually, I was about to say he is a breaker of hearts,” she said, but that didn’t make me feel any better.
“He really is,” I said, giving Missy a hug for real this time.
“I’m really excited about your book deal. Congratulations,” she said.
“Thanks,” I said, hugging her back as the game started back up for the second half. “I appreciate all of your support, especially letting me live in your penthouse for free. Finally, I can start paying you rent.”
“Oh, please. I’d pay you to live with me. It’s so much fun having you as a roomie. I’m glad you got a bigger advance, though, even if you would’ve stuck to your agreement with Brooks.”
“I have put Brooks first every time,” I said sadly. “Not that it’s done me much good.”
“Well, that’s one thing the two of you have in common,” she said, her face perking up. “Brooks puts Brooks first every time, too.”
I laughed at her joke, even though the tears were threatening to come.
“Look, the thing is, you need someone, you deserve someone, who will put you and your relationship first,” she said, gesturing with her hand, the sparkly diamond on her ring finger catching the light. “Brooks has never done that for you. Not back then, and not now.”
“Guess that’s true enough.” I picked up a still-full cup of orange juice and sipped on it, wishing it were coffee. “I don’t know that Brooks will ever be ready for that kind of committed relationship. Maybe I’ve just been kidding myself this time around.”
Missy nodded to a wooden bench a little further away from the field and I followed, sitting down next to her. “What do you mean?” she asked.
“I don’t think the real reason Brooks pushed me away is so I could get a larger advance with Paradise Bound. I feel like