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“I’m in. I could use a new book or two. Who’s the author?”
“Brooke Easten-Turner.”
I gasped. “The girl you found in Colorado? Her new book is out already?”
Madeline nodded. “It came out last week and she’s on her tour. I knew she was coming to Powell’s so I’ve been impatiently waiting to buy it. Next Saturday at eleven?”
I gave her a nod and smile, turning back to the denture. “Sound’s perfect. Meet you there? Too bad it’s too cold for the food trucks.”
“Olive Garden after.”
“Perfect plan.” I held the finished denture up and studied it, looking at Madeline. “Pray this fits . . .”
“I’m praying.” Madeline laughed as I passed and went back into the operatory where my patient patiently waited for her teeth.
I dug in my bag for my phone as soon as I got into my little Toyota, the defrost was not working fast enough, not to mention, I didn’t have a scraper with me and instantly regretted it. A credit card could only do so much and my fingers were freezing. A text from Jillian was waiting for me once I pulled my phone free from the mess that was my purse.
Jillian: Call after work! *smiley face*
Putting my earbud in, I called Jilly. She answered on the first ring—the same time I put my Toyota in reverse.
“Jamie! How was work!” Her voice rang through my ear.
“Hey, Jilly. Good, busy.”
“What do they call you? The Octopus?”
I rolled my eyes at the nickname I was given by the office manager. “Ha…yeah, the Octopus. What's up?”
“Will and I are trying to get our final plan for February going, you’re coming right?”
Once a year my family had a reunion of sorts in one of our favorite places: Park City, Utah. Since we all lived in different states, and had mix-matched schedules, holidays were, sadly, never a possibility for us. As much as we tried to take time and visit during the chaos, it never happened. So, we came up with the plan to spend three weeks together in February. We would celebrate Christmas, my mom would make massive meals every night, and we’d simply just be together. It was one of my favorite times of the year. My parents would rent out a cabin in Park City and we would call it home. I had to use all my vacation time at once, but it was always worth it to see them.
“Of course, I’m coming. Time off was approved a year ago.” I smiled.
“Great, when’s your flight? Will thinks we can coordinate and meet at the airport at the same time. Save money on an Uber to Park City.” Jillian was talking fast, her two kids in the background demanding her attention. “We don’t really want to rent a car . . .”
“Actually, I think I’m going to drive this year. It’s not too long of a drive, and that way I won’t be stuck in the cabin. There’s an arts fest this year, right? They started a winter one?” I asked, knowing very well the city had decided to host a second festival. The big one was in the spring—the one everyone knew about—while this one was supposed to be smaller for it being its first year. A trial of sorts.
I had this crazy idea this would be the year I entered a piece. I knew the painting I wanted to put in the show, but the overwhelming imposter syndrome crept up and settled in my chest, telling me I wasn’t good enough for a Park City art’s fest.
“I think they did, and why are you driving?”
“Well, I’ve been considering entering a piece . . .” I trailed off, my voice falling as I turned on the freeway.
“Seriously!? We’ve been trying to get you to enter for years! What changed? Was it Daxton?”
Daxton?
Oh shit . . .
Yea . . . Daxton . . .
I had forgotten about my imaginary boyfriend.
I winced and tried to remember what I had told my sister about my “boyfriend” Daxton. All that came to my memory was that I met him at Madeline’s wedding, and we connected.
“Oh yeah, uh no. I just think I finally have the right piece to enter. Right timing you know,” I stammered, hoping the topic ofDaxtonwould fade.
