Me:Seeing him again has been a bit of a mind fuck. There’s still *stuff* there. Attraction and feelings and lots and lots of anger.
Me:And to make it all worse, that publicity director I told you I met? She hinted that if Nick and I were to get involved, it would help both of our careers.
Kennedy:Wait, what? She actually said that to you? Like she wants you to fake date or something?
Me:Okay, romance novelist. No, she didn’t say anything as direct as that.
Me:Maybe I misunderstood her.
Maybe I willfully misunderstood her, not that I’m going to admit to that, or examine the thought too closely.
Alyssa:How did Nick react to that?
Me:I haven’t told him. She wasn’t serious, so I figure it’s not even worth bringing it up.
Alyssa:Wow. That’s a lot for just a couple of days. How are you holding up?
Me:I’m hanging in there. Just trying to keep a clear head. Last night at dinner Nick made it seem like he never wanted to break up with me, like he regretted the whole thing.
Kennedy:Do you think that’s true?
Me:I wouldn’t have believed it, but Nick has never been a good liar, and there was something in his eyes that made me think he was telling the truth.
Kennedy:Maybe this is the perfect chance for you to get some closure. Finally put him firmly behind you and let yourself move on.
Alyssa:Or maybe this is the beginning of your second-chance romance!
Me:Absolutely not. That is definitely not what is happening here.
Alyssa:Oh yeah? How many beds are in that cozy room at the inn you guys are sharing right before Christmas?
Me:I hate you.
Kennedy:Alyssa, no. This is the man who straight up broke her heart. He doesn’t deserve a second chance.
Alyssa:Everyone deserves a second chance!
My stomach growls, reminding me that a double shot of caffeine and whipped cream is all I’ve had this morning—or is it afternoon? Time really doesn’t seem to exist here.
Me:Let’s put a pin in this convo. I’ll check in with you guys later.
Alyssa:Open your heart to love!
Kennedy:Close your legs to ex-boyfriends!
Chuckling out loud at that one, I figure while I have my phone out I should also let Morgan know I might be MIA for a couple of days. For a second as I wait for her to answer, I worry about my job security, but she responds to my text almost immediately, assuring me she can cover my shifts, telling me to be safe and take care of myself.
I know the end goal is to someday not have to be a barista-slash-writer, emphasis on the barista, but I’m so glad if I have to have a day job, I have one like this.
My stomach growls again, and I make my way over to the restaurant. Given that everyone in the hotel is trying to get food from one spot, the place is packed. I know there’s no hope of getting a table anytime soon and I’m about to abandon hope when I hear my name.
Hannah is waving from a table in the back corner, gesturing for me to come join her.
Thank god.
Except as I round the corner, I see Hannah isn’t dining alone. Gina sits in the seat next to her. And Nick takes up one of the chairs across from them.
Of course. Gina is Nick’s editor. How could I have forgotten that?
