He frowns. “Youknow what I mean. Be safe. Don’t go to strange places after dark. Always keepyour phone charged in case you have to call 9-1-1.”
Livi takes his arm.“Babe, she’s an adult. She can take care of herself.”
“Yeah, but she’s mybaby cousin so I worry.”
“You don’t have toworry about me,” I say. I feel more confident after I say it, because it’strue. I’ve got this. I’ll just hang out at the hotel all weekend, so I don’teven need a rental car.
Livi pulls me infor a hug. “Have fun.”
“Thanks,” I say,hugging her back. “See you guys on Sunday.”
After going throughsecurity, I make it to my terminal and sit facing the window so I can watch theplanes take off and land. Before long, my flight boards, and then I’m touchingdown in Phoenix.
I knew it would behot here, but it’s so much hotter than back home in Texas. It’s a better kindof hot, though. The air is dry and not humid like I’m used to.
I find a taxi, andbefore long, I’m standing in the lobby of the massive Hilton hotel andconvention center. The place is pretty luxurious and swanky and I’m surprisedthe room prices weren’t that expensive. It’s all a business expense for methough, and I’m excited and incredibly nervous to be on my first officialbusiness trip.
Today is just theday for signing in and getting settled. Tomorrow there’s a keynote speaker ateight in the morning, and then panels and workshops all day. In one of therooms, there are hundreds of business service vendors set up, and I’m eager tolook through them. The brochure lists everything from fancy new cash registers,to places that design stickers and postcards, to interior design places. I’mpretty in love with how I’ve decorated my bakery. It’s modern and pink andsparkly and looks like it walked right out of one of those cupcake baking showson TV. But I’m always eager to find new resources, so I can’t wait to hit thevendor area.
For now, I checkinto my hotel and find my room, which is on the tenth floor. I open thecurtains that look out over Phoenix and take in the view. Arizona looks vastlydifferent from Texas. It’s more like a tan desert out there, with ruggedterrain and barely any green in sight. Mable Falls is all sloping grassy hillsand trees as far as you can see.
I text Livi andtell her I made it safely, before plopping onto the tightly made bedsheets andturning on the hotel TV. I’m hungry, but I’m tired from the travelling so Iwant to rest first.
My phone dings. Ilook over and see Livi’s name on the screen.
Cool beans!
That’s totally notsomething she would say, but it does sound familiar. Another text pops up.
This is Mason, btw. Livi is elbows deep in guacamole.
I laugh and reply:Exactly how much guacamole is she making?
He writes back:Doesn’t matter. It’ll never be enough!
I chuckle and setthe phone down. Most people I know would never let their boyfriend orgirlfriend play on their phone. It’s a trust thing, and I guess a lot of peopledon’t trust the person they’re dating. But sometimes when I’m hanging out withMason and Livi, they’ll do things like this that are just little relationshipthings, and I feel myself getting that biting sting of jealousy. It’s not in abad way, because I love my cousin and best friend. I don’t have anythingagainstthem, I just get so sadsometimes because they have something I want.
I’ve been singlefor so long that it’s kind of a joke now. Sure, I’ve been on the occasionaldate with a stranger, but it never turns into anything. The guys who meet me inthe bakery and ask me out never really turn into quality guys. I don’t have aconnection with anyone. And the worst part is that I live in the town I grew upin. I already know all the men in Mable Falls, and it’s not a lot. Back when Iwas in high school, there weren’t many cute guys to crush on, and aftergraduation the prospects only got worse. Now, sometimes a cute guy will walkinto my shop from out of town, and occasionally I’ll get flirted with, but it’sall just for nothing.
Keesha says it’s becausemen are afraid of a powerful woman who owns her own business. I know she’s justa teenager, but it’s kind of a pretty good point. Guys are stupid like that.They get insecure if they feel the woman is smarter than they are. Maybe that’swhy I haven’t had any meaningful relationships?
But thinking aboutguys being idiots doesn’t comfort me at all. I want a boyfriend. I want to getmarried one day and have kids and live happily ever after. I want a man who isstrong enough to support that I’m independent, and confident to be my partnerwithout letting himself feel all emasculated.
As much as I worryabout myself, about how maybe I’m not pretty enough, or not good enough, orthat I’m too nice or boring for a guy to like, another part of me knows thatI’m not the problem. The problem is that I live in Mable Falls, a sleepy littlecountry town with no good single men.
How can I find mytrue love if I never get out and meet people?
Mason was lucky. Hemet Livi through me. I pretty much set them up, even though I didn’t see itcoming at first. I smile to myself as I consider calling him up and telling himhe owes me. I introduced him to his true love, so now he needs to find someonefor me.
If only love workedthat way. If only it was as easy as asking someone to return a favor by bringingyou a soul mate.
Every time it feelslike I’m slipping back into this depression over being single, I try to cheermyself up. I’m only twenty-four. I’m still plenty young enough to find love. Sowhat if my mom met my dad when she was nineteen. And if Grandma married Grandpawhen they were twenty-two. There’s still time for me. It’s not like I’m unlovable.I’m a nice person. I have pretty long brown hair that’s naturally wavy, andLivi is always saying she’s jealous of my naturally tan skin. Sure, I’m alittle overweight, but I think I carry it well. It’s all mostly in my hips andass, and some guys like that. I just need to find those guys.
As I lay in myhotel’s surprisingly comfortable bed, I tell myself to shrug off these thoughtsof men and dating and love. None of that even matters right now. I’m in a wholedifferent state, looking to find ways to grow my business. Love can wait foranother time.
Chapter 3
My alarm goes offbright and early on Friday morning. It’s day one of the convention, and I’mfilled with butterflies and excitement and a strong need for coffee. I do myhair and makeup and put on my black pinstripe slacks. I pair them with a tealblouse and some black beaded jewelry. I look pretty damn professional. It’smiles away from the sundresses and flour-covered apron that I usually wear towork. With this look, I could be a lawyer or something.
