Page 67 of Minted
“Thanks.”
“I’ve been a mom for a while now,” Seren says. “I’m glad you’re finally joining the ranks. Best gig in the world.”
“I loved being an aunt, but this is different. Scarier, but also better, in a lot of ways.” My heart expands in that moment, and I realize that it’s true. Most people would want to dive into a new relationship after ending the last, but I think what I needed was to take care of someone else. “I think it’s helping me realize that I’m not just a useless, fat lump.”
“You’re not useless,” Seren says automatically.
“As my best friend, you have to say that,” I say.
“But it’s still the truth,” she says. “And furthermore, I’m in possession of some knowledge that you might want. It could change your whole perspective.”
I doubt that, but now I have to know. “Knowledge?”
“What would obtaining top secret information be worth to you?” Seren asks.
“What?” I have no idea what to offer. “You’re always the one giving me things already. You bake, you give advice, and you usually host. I bring nothing to the table.”
“For heaven’s sake,” Seren says. “Are we spiraling again?”
But I realize that even if it’s a little Eeyore, what I said was totally right. I’ve never done anything for Seren. I’m not even sure why she’s my friend.
“Barb, you tidy my house every time you come. You babysit my kids and have for years, for free, whenever I needed a hand. You’ve watched them for a whole week on four separate occasions when Dave’s parents couldn’t so Dave and I could get away. You bring me snacks from my favorite places constantly. You help us with marketing for the inn. You’ve given me feedback on ads, on fliers, on events, on room decor, and on relationship complications. You have been there for me in every single way for almost thirty years.”
Now she’s making me bawl.
“I hate that little jerk for making you feel like that,” Seren says. “I’m glad you kicked him to the curb.”
“He only came over because he was jealous,” I say. “He threw his toy away, but he thinks some big, rich, talented guy likes me.” I laugh. “Which is the real joke, because I blurted out that Bentley’s just doing me a favor, so now he knows how pathetic I really am.”
“But he’s not,” Seren says. “That’s the big secret. Bentley Harrison is in love with you, Barbara, and everyone knows it’s true except for you. James can tell, too. That’s why he’s been so insane lately—that’s the real reason he showed up. He could sense that it wasn’t fake. At least, not on Bentley’s end.”
“No way,” I say. “You’re delusional.”
“Nope,” she says. “You’re the one who’s not accepting reality.”
“Look, you guys have wished he would like me for years, but that doesn’t mean—”
“He announced it to the entire room, including your two little girls. They clearly agreed to visit him for Christmas because they want you to find out, too. That means they like him, by the way, and that’s a really good sign. A lot of girls in their situation would be jealous of anyone who might take your attention from them. They’re healthy enough to realize that a happy Barbara is a good thing for them.”
I’m speechless for a moment, but when I’m able to form words again, I splutter. “Seren, that’s insane. I’m sure he was just—”
“No. Stop it right now. I already gave you one pep talk today, so listen carefully when I say this. You spent half an hour earlier telling me how silly those poor, broken little girls are being about thinking that bad stuff always follows good stuff. You told me they need to get their world view corrected, and you’re going to do it. But you’re dumber than they are. You think Bentley Harrison can’t like you because he’s rich, he’s handsome, he’s smart, and he’s funny. You think someone like that could never like you. Well, you’re wrong. As an outsider, I can tell you that you’re generous, you’re caring, you’re capable, and you’re smart.”
“I’m not beautiful, though,” I say. “I notice you left that out.”
“You’re not beautiful,” Seren says. “You’re stunning. You have the kind of obvious beauty that I always envied. You’re like a Barbie doll. You’re like a print ad model.”
“You’re being absolutely idiotic right now,” I say. “Have you looked in a mirror?”
“I know.” Seren sniffs. “I’ve always hated my stupid face—thanks a lot, grandma—and you were the only girl I knew who was friends with me anyway. You were so stunning that you stood out, even by my side. Because you’re spectacular, Barbara Champion. You used to know that, and it’s time for you to get your confidence in yourself back. Because when you find it again, there’s a guy who’s actually worthy of you. And he’s waiting. I’m just not sure how long he’ll wait for.” Seren pauses. “Don’t miss it because you don’t believe in yourself anymore. That would be a really tragic way for James to win.”
14
Bentley
High bars are the worst.
I like to be the best at whatever I do. That means I’m always setting high bars, but then in order to be great, I have to clear those bars again later. That bumps it up higher, and higher, and higher.
