AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Yes. But my situation is the perfect example that love can be right around the corner without you ever knowing it. It should make you feel optimistic and hopeful.”Ladies and gentlemen, my Pollyanna friend …
“I know you’re right, Missy. I do. But being on this show makes me feel like I’m in second grade, and I’ve been called up to the board to solve a calculus problem.” I find math metaphors comforting.
“You’re a smart woman, and you’re letting your fears get the best of you. You’ve got this, Paige Holland!”
“Give me a P!” I shout back at her like we’re about to bust out a cheer.
“Remember”—she pauses for dramatic effect—“you have to … be aggressive, be, be aggressive! B-E-A-G-G-R-E-S-S-I-V-E!!!”
I try to stifle the giggles that are building up in me, but I’m notsuccessful. “I love you, Missy. You’re the best friend a girl could ever hope to have.”
“Even though I fell in love before you?”
“I know I haven’t been acting like it, but I’m really happy for you. You deserve every good thing in this world, and I’d fight anyone who said differently.”
“I feel the same way about you. I have no idea if you’re going to find your other half on this show, Paige, but I do know that you owe it to yourself to give it a try. What are you doing tomorrow?”
“I’m sleeping in, then getting ready for tomorrow night’s taping. Why?”
“Jamie, Sammy, and I are going sledding. I thought you might like to join us.”
Missy and I have a very long history speeding down the snowy slopes of Elk Lake together. And while I love sledding, I’d rather spend the day resting up for tomorrow night. “Can I get a raincheck?” I ask.
“Of course.”
“Thanks, Miss. I’m going to go to sleep now. I’ll call you tomorrow night after the show.”
“Love you. You’re going to do great, Paige. I just know it.”
I fall asleep within minutes of hanging up and have one of those heavenly nights that feel like it passes in the blink of an eye. I’m pretty sure I haven’t experienced one of those since I was a kid.
As soon as my eyes pop open, I look at the clock and discover it’s already ten thirty. I hurry to get out of bed and change into some jeans and a sweater. Then instead of making coffee at home, I decide to drive into town and grab breakfast at the diner.
Saturday mornings are a busy time to try to get breakfast out, but I figure I’ll have a better chance if I sit at the counter. Eating alone is one of the things I look forward to never doing again once I’m part of a couple.
As predicted, the diner is humming with business. When Iwalk in, I hear someone call out, “Paige, over here!” Cami and Brittany are sitting at a booth against the side wall.
I make my way over to them, and ask, “What are you ladies doing here?”
Cami narrows her eyes before stating the obvious. “Eating.”
“No, I mean …” And then the truth of their situation hits me. “You’re staying in town, aren’t you? It’s too far to Chicago to commute.”
“Only on Friday and Saturday nights,” Brittany says. “We’ll commute on the days we have individual dates. Trina says those should end much earlier.” She scoots over and pats the bench next to her, signaling me to join them.
Smiling across the table at Cami, I say, “You must be missing a lot of work to do this show. Don’t most of your events take place on the weekends?”
She nods her head. “They do, but we’re not super busy right now. Everyone pretty much blew their entertainment budget over the holidays.”
“What about you?” I ask Brittany. “Does your business ebb and flow with the seasons?”
She shakes her thick red hair. “As long as consumers are consuming, we’re busy.”
“And your boss is okay with you taking time off?”
Brittany glances at her lap before making eye contact. “My dad owns the company, and he’s just happy I’m out there looking for someone.” She inhales deeply before adding, “Please keep that information under your hats, along with my living situation.”
“Absolutely,” I tell her. “We all deserve to be judged on our own merits.”
