PRESENT
I was out of coffee on a Monday morning. It was officially about to be a bad day. I had meetings lined up out of town at some luxury jewelry store called Devereaux & Co. and then with a new swimwear company called Salt and Sirens, so I didn’t have time for this. I was already late after trying on ten different outfits and deciding I needed a quick workout sesh to get a nice little pump.
I had also decided it was a great idea to blow out my hair. The last time I did that, I burned off a huge chunk of hair and swore never to do it again. I clearly had learned absolutely nothing because not only did I burn the tips of my hair, but there was a nice welt on my hand.
To add to my stress, I was also out of gas. So not only was I desperate for coffee, wishing I had iced my hand, and yelling at the GPS for recalculating two times, but now I had to add a stop and hope there wasn’t a line at the gas station.
After filling up my tank, I merged onto the highway and moved into the express lane, grateful for this new additionbecause at least it wasn’t crowded like the main lanes. Millie’s name flashed on my dashboard display, pausing my directions and music, which, of course, added to my already growing irritation.
“This better be important. You know I have those meetings in the city today,” I answered, fighting the urge to yell at her.
“You are not going to fucking believe who just walked into my studio,” she said breathlessly.
“Angelina Jolie.” I deadpanned.This is why she called? Was she freaking serious?
“No, I would be screaming if that happened, you idiot. Try again. Male this time.”
“Brad Pitt. Really, Millie, I don’t have time for this. I am stressed enough right now.”
“Griffin Silver, Tate. Griffin fucking Silver.”
I slammed on the brakes and almost swerved into the car beside me at her scream.
“What?”
“You heard me.”
“What the hell is he doing back home?”
“Well, considering I overheard his mom in class mention something about Sunday night dinners, I guess he was home for that and decided to swing by. He was asking about you.”
“Me? He was asking about me?” I screamed in surprise.
“Yes, he was asking if you still lived in town and if I knew how you were.” She squealed. “Oh, girl. He’s still into you, all these years later!”
“He is not. Did you not see the headline? He has a never-ending line of women, Millie. Don’t get confused.”
“Oh, shut up. You should know better than to believe everything you read online.”
“Are you seriously defending him right now? Aftereverything he did to me? You’re going to defend him?” I asked her in surprise. She had never been a fan of Griffin, not until today, apparently.
“Look, all I’m saying is Griffin came by the studio looking for you. He seemed concerned. He looked absolutely edible, and you two used to be really good friends. Maybe, just maybe, you can rekindle that friendship? Use him to build your brand? Could you imagine how you would blow up on Instagram if you were coaching a famous baseball player?”
I rolled my eyes. There was no way I’d ever use him to build my career. That could only lead to disaster.
“What did you tell him?”
“That you were single, ready to mingle, and very hot,” she said sarcastically. Then she paused and took a deep breath. “Really, Tate, what do you think I told him? I told him you did live in town and then to get the fuck out of my studio before he caused a scene.”
She was a good best friend. Loyal to the fucking core even though we disagreed.
“Thanks, Mills. I know it must have been hard for you.”
“So hard, you have no idea.” She sighed. “Good luck today at your meetings. I’m sure you’ll secure both contracts. I don’t know who wouldn’t want you. Speaking of…when can you model my new line?”
“I’m pretty nervous. I really need both contracts. I want to get out of this condo and into a house now. I’m really tired of the same four walls.”
“I know you’ll get them, and if they don’t work out, something better will come along. It always does. Remember when you didn’t get that first gig, and you cried for weeks, but the second one had a much better contract? We went on a vacation to Vegas because of that one.” She reminded me, and I knewshe’s right, but I wasn’t nineteen anymore. Staying in shape wasn’t as easy as it used to be, and my competition was younger.
