Page 102 of Book Club Confidential

Tessa bit her tongue again, because anyone absolutely could break off any relationship over any reason they chose. In fact, no one needed a reason at all. Also, Hallie had an abundance of legitimate concerns, not just the two she mentioned.

Hallie looked at Tessa. “How did you know it was time for a divorce?”

Tessa groaned. “There were lots of things that added up over time. The final straw was when it became clear that I was expected to champion his career, but he never championed mine. That’s how I knew that we weren’t equals in his mind, and I couldn’t stay with a partner who thought of himself as superior.”

Hallie nodded. “I get that. Leaving is such a big move, especially now. I’ve packed up my whole house.”

“But you haven’t sold it yet,” Kate said.

“I think I’m just really hoping for some kind of sign,” Hallie said.

The café doors opened, and a group of women strode onto the sidewalk, carrying shopping bags and disposable cups. A small redhead froze, then broke away from the pack.

“Hals?” Eloise called. “What are you doing here?” She waved at Kate and Tessa. “Hey! You’re all here. Girls’ day out? Me too.”

Hallie’s eyes bulged, but she didn’t speak.

“How’s that for a sign?” Kate mused.

“A gleaming red one,” Tessa said.

Eloise’s smile faded a bit. She looked nervously from Kate to Tessa, then back to Hallie. “Well, hey, I’m glad I ran into you, because I didn’t get a chance to say something before— Thank you for telling Quinn to go to hell for me. I should’ve done it myself.”

Hallie brightened. “Oh, it’s no problem. I should’ve done it years ago.”

Eloise laughed softly. “I walked out about five minutes after you.”

“Really?”

Eloise nodded. “I quit and left him to handle everything on his own until the next shift arrived. I’m sure I’ll never see my last paycheck, but it was worth it. I don’t want to work anywhere it’s acceptable to treat others the way he treated you. I watched it happen to you, but you stuck up for me, and I’m so sorry.”

Her clutch of friends waited impatiently. “El!” one woman called.

Eloise lifted a finger to her friend, asking them to give her one more minute. “I wanted to call and tell you, but I realized I don’t have your number. How is that possible?”

“We can fix that,” Hallie suggested, extending a hand in her direction.

Eloise gave her phone to Hallie and waited while she added herself to the contacts.

“Text me, and I’ll save your number,” Hallie said.

“Right.” Eloise thrust a thumb over her shoulder. “The crew awaits, but maybe you and I can grab lunch or a coffee sometime?”

Hallie nodded rapidly as she watched Eloise turn and head back to her friends. “I would fucking love that,” she whispered, though Eloise was too far away to hear.

Chapter Twenty-Seven

Tessa spent the following day writing a business plan. She wasn’t sure how to find new clients for her online business, but she was certain she could run the company once it existed. She’d start small, work with start-up shops and owners on a budget. But she’d need start-up funding. Even without an office space, employees, and overhead, spreading the word about her company required money. She’d need to create ads and launch them strategically online, via podcasts, and any other way she could.

The research and preparation took time but gave her much-needed hope. It was something she could do, could work toward, and hold on to. Though the specifics were still hazy, the possibility looked less like a dream and more like a reality for her future with each passing hour. She’d fallen asleep the night before thinking of how Kate had gone all in on her new branding, come what may. She had the mindset Tessa needed, one she’d started with but lost along the way.

She needed to be steadfast and determined. Tenacious and dogged.

No jobs available? No problem. She’d create a whole damn company. Then she’d run it.

That was what the heroine in her story would do.

Hours slipped away as she planned and prepped, creating an online portfolio of ideas, spreadsheets, and vision boards. Her version of Hallie’s Vampire Dinosaur Café binder.