friends close. We had shared everything. But the years hadn’t been kind to our relationship, and I bore most of the responsibility for the deterioration of our once tight bond.
The world of movies had changed me. In really horrible ways. When I thought back to the woman I became, I cringed inwardly. I couldn’t explain exactly what caused it, though I could place a lot of it at the feet of one individual. But he couldn’t take all the blame. I had been sucked into a world that was both overwhelming and completely consuming. It left little room for anything else. I had stomped all over a lot of people.
However, karma put me squarely in my place.
And I was back home now. Trying like hell to rebuild after I had systematically dismantled everything I used to have here, including my relationship with Meghan. We had had a heart to heart not long after I came back into town. It helped clear the air and allowed us to begin the process of making our way back to each other.
But honestly, things were still strained. It only made sense. You couldn’t undo years of damage in the span of a few months. It would take a lot of work on my part for us to become something like the two young girls we used to be.
“So, Adam says you’re picking up some new responsibilities at the firm,” Meg said, filling in the gaping silence.
I swirled my drink with the tiny straw. “Yeah, with Lena cutting back on her hours now that she’s pregnant with baby number two, I’ve started to do some paralegal work.” I tried to sound excited. Truthfully, I had been surprised when my brother-in-law approached me about taking on the paralegal stuff. Sure, I was a competent receptionist, but I hadn’t quite blown everyone away with my amazing skills. The world of law wasn’t exactly my forte and not something I had a whole lot of interest in. But I appreciated the opportunity Adam and his partners Jeremy and Robert had given me, so I worked hard. However, the further I drifted from the career I used to have, the more it felt like I was losing a piece of myself.
I had never dreamed of becoming Whitney Galloway—paralegal.
Yet, it was a job. A good paying one too. I had learned that you didn’t turn your back on opportunities when they arose.
But there was no fooling my eagle-eyed sister.
“You don’t seem too jazzed at the idea,” she deduced.
“No. It’s great. I’m excited—”
“You can’t bullshit me, Whit. You look the exact opposite of excited.”
I stared down into my untouched cocktail. “I appreciate everything Adam and his partners have done,” I started to say.
“But it’s not what you want to be doing. I get that.” Meg rubbed her belly some more. My chest squeezed tight as I watched her, a mixture of happiness and soul aching sadness filling my insides. “Have you thought about looking for a makeup gig close by?” It wasn’t the first time Meg had suggested that.
And it wasn’t the first time I would shoot the idea down as fast as I could. My tone turned cool. “That life is behind me. End of discussion.”
Meg blinked, looking slightly taken aback. “But if that’s what makes you happy—”
“You don’t know what makes me happy, Meg. Just drop it,” I snapped, unable to help myself. It had become so easy to keep my sister at arm’s length. It seemed some habits were hard to break. I should apologize. Make it right. I was trying to repair our relationship, not rip new holes into it.
Instead, I retreated. I got to my feet. “I’m going to get another drink. Want anything?”
Meg glanced at the cocktail I hadn’t been drinking and shook her head. “Nope. I’m good.” She was pissed at me. And I deserved it. I always deserved it.
I quickly headed to the bar, needing a few moments to collect myself before groveling at Meg’s feet for being an asshole—again.
“Can I get a bottle of water?” I asked the bartender.
“If it isn’t our local celebrity, slumming it with the common folk.” My back stiffened at the sound of bitter laughter.
I thought about ignoring the barb. I should. I paid the bartender, took the water bottle, and slowly turned to face my former friend.
“Hi, Shelly.” I gave her a smile. “Laura too. Wow, the gang’s all here.”
The two women had changed. A lot. Shelly Thompson had gained about thirty pounds, and Laura Randolph had