Page 60 of A Fall to Remember

“Yes, last night. While we were dancing. Jim and I kissed. I thought you saw us. I thought you were upset.”

Pete shook his head. “No. I didn’t see you, and why would I be upset?”

Miranda squeezed the pillow tighter. “I thought maybe you were uncomfortable seeing me with him. It’s always been the two of us. Sadly, I don’t think Jim and I have a future, but I do need you to know that if I were ever to find someone as wonderful as him it would never change how I feel about you.”

Pete laughed. “Mom, come on. I’m not five.”

She fumbled to find the right words, feeling flustered. “I know that, honey, but it’s just maybe the reality of seeing your mom dating or kissing someone is weird.”

“Gawd, no. Mom. I think that’s great. I want you to find someone, and Jim is seriously a good guy. Why won’t it work out?” He leaned against the doorframe, considering it for a minute. “You know, I should have picked it up on it. Jim’s been asking tons of questions about you. I can totally see it working. He seems into you, Mom.”

This was taking a turn she hadn’t expected.

“First of all, we’ve only known each other a few days. And then there’s the issue that he lives in Seattle and my life is firmly rooted here.”

“You could figure that out. Shelby said that Jim has been talking about scaling back some. Maybe he’d move here. He seems comfortable. I could totally see him in Half Moon Bay.”

Pete was suddenly her dating coach.

“Look, that isn’t the point. I’m glad you weren’t upset. But you seemed upset last night. Is something else wrong?”

Pete inhaled through his nose like he was working up the courage to say something, but at that moment both of their phones buzzed.

Miranda ignored the text, but Pete reached into his pocket and checked his phone.

“It’s Shelby. She’s pissed.”

“Why?” Miranda grabbed her phone.

Shelby had sent a text to her and Pete.

Need to meet ASAP. Jim has gone too far. Can’t believe you faked ruining a proposal. Not a good look. On my way to the Green Grocer now. We need to get out in front of this.

“‘Faked ruining a proposal’—what is she talking about?” Miranda asked.

Pete shrugged. “No idea.”

“I suppose we should go meet her at the store, but what did you want to talk about, honey?”

“It doesn’t matter.” Pete shook his head. “It can wait.”

46

SHELBY

Shelby paced back and forth in front of the Green Grocer. She couldn’t believe Jim had stooped this low. How many talks had they had about not going cheesy, not making Miranda look like a bumbling idiot? Having her walk right through the middle of a marriage proposal, while licking a stupid ice cream cone? Come on.

No, this was one step too far.

She was fuming.

Furious.

Talk about ruining a brand image.

This was exactly what she was worried about. She never should have let him have free rein. She had gotten too swept up in building Pete’s dating profile, and now she was probably going to lose both accounts. This was a complete disaster.

Jim had posted the video exactly thirty-five minutes ago, and it was spreading like wildfire. There was no chance of containing it now. Or controlling the narrative.