“Any advice?” Brick asked Marco.
Marco scratched his head. “Usually I’d cite romance novels but this screams movie. Either of you see You’ve Got Mail?”
Kane looked at Brick. “Is that the one with Tom Hanks?”
“Yeah. And Meg Ryan. It’s a female fave.”
“I never saw it,” Kane said. “Do I have to?”
“No, I’ll explain. The plot revolves around a small bookshop owner—Meg Ryan. She inherits her mom’s place and seems super happy but then Tom Hanks opens up a big chain bookstore right down the block. It’s got more inventory and discounts and coffee. So, Meg is really pissed and tries to fight the store, but she can’t compete and ends up being forced to close her mom’s shop.”
Kane didn’t like the way this whole dialogue was going. “So, I’m Tom Hanks?”
“Right. Sierra is Meg. While this is going on, they’re falling in love with each other over the Internet but don’t know who the other is. And in real life, they’re enemies, but there’s also this weird chemistry between them and they like each other, too, but the circumstances are really messed up.”
Brick snapped his fingers. “Yeah, I remember now! Hanks finds out who she is first, right? And sets up some meeting?”
“That’s right. They finally meet toward the end of the movie—oh, he takes care of her when she’s sick which is a big turning point—and he reveals he’s the one she’s been talking to.”
Hope stirred. “Wait—they end up together?”
Marco nodded. “Romcoms always have a happy ending.”
“This is great news. You’re saying Meg realizes Tom had no other choice and it wasn’t personal, and forgives him? And accepts she had to close down her bookstore and it wasn’t his fault because he was just the man behind the company?”
“Yes.”
Kane grinned, his spirit lighter. “Marco, this is great news! So, you think Sierra will accept this eventually? She’ll find a new location for her store, forgive me, and we all win?”
Marco let out a long sigh. “No. Sorry. That’s just how the movie ends. But almost every woman I ever spoke with hates the end of that movie.”
His heart sank. “What are you talking about!”
“They all told me Tom Hanks should never have been forgiven because each time Meg thinks about her mom’s bookstore, she’ll think of Tom destroying her legacy. Basically, Meg should’ve told Tom Hanks he was an asshole and just left him behind and started a new life.”
Kane dropped his head. “This is the worst pep talk I’ve ever had in my life.”
Brick patted him on the shoulder. “I know. But it’s truth.”
Marco shrugged. “Sorry. I’d say you shouldn’t take the new job and fight for your woman. Love is more important than business. Right?”
With one swift movement, Kane got out of the Jeep and shut the door behind him. “Marco, don’t go into counseling. I’ve never felt crappier. I’m out of here.”
“I can go with you,” Brick offered. “We can watch basketball and eat Duck Donuts and drink beer with Dug?”
“No, thanks. I need to be by myself and get my head together. Then go see if Sierra is ready to listen.”
Marco waved goodbye. “Maybe we can get together this weekend?”
“Maybe not,” Kane muttered, walking to his own car.
He heard Brick’s voice in the background. “Give him some time, Marco. I kind of agree with you on that movie. Tom was an asshole.”
Yeah. Maybe Kane was better not to share next time.
Chapter Twenty-Two
“The average woman falls in love seven times a year. Only six are with shoes.” – Kenneth Cole
