Page 47 of Roses for Rosie

Then I remember the rest of the story and cut that plot line off. I am better than that. There is a man out there who will love me and me alone. If there isn’t, well, I’ve been doing awfully well without a man so far. There’s nothing wrong with being a smart, sassy, independent, single woman.

Sammy lifts his lazy head and looks out the front door as Joanne approaches for our weekly book club. I raise a hand to wave at her as she enters the shop. She takes her favorite seat and settles in with her copy of the Jessica Truvie book.

“I know we aren’t supposed to start until everyone is here, but what did you think? I loved it so much!” She hugs her book to her chest, a dreamy look on her face.

“It didn’t do it for me. I wasn’t in the mood.”

She studies me. “You do look blue. What’s up? Last time we talked, you were over the moon in love with Adam on your way to Miami.”

“Life blew up in my face. Kaboom!” I motion an explosion with my hands.

“Oh no, what happened?”

“In short, Adam is back together with Scarlett. She’s pregnant. They’re engaged.” Tears pool in my eyes despite my best efforts to remain stoic.

Joanne’s eyes go wide and her jaw hangs open. “Rosie. I’m so sorry. It sounded like things were going so well with you two.”

“I thought they were,” I wail. “I don’t know what happened. One minute he was talking about our future together and the next Scarlett was standing here in Nooks and Books waggling her rock in my face.”

Susie bursts through the front door as Vivian enters from the back before Joanne can respond.

“The gang’s all here. Hello, my lovelies,” Susie greets us. She leans over to hug me. “Spill. I want all the details. Miami, parties, Adam. Tell me! Old married ladies like me need to live vicariously through your romance.”

Joanne cuts her off with a sharp look. “Easy, Susie. There are troubles in paradise.”

“No!”

“Afraid so,” I respond. “This fairy tale doesn’t come with a happily ever after.”

“But….he’s Adam Smythe.”

“He’s also a cheating, lying, ex-girlfriend reconciling asshole.”

“That sounds like a story worth hearing.”

“Everything seemed great,” I start. “He met me at the airport with flowers and took me to the penthouse suite in this fancy hotel in a limo. We went snorkeling and sat on the beach together. At the party that night, he introduced me as his girlfriend and held my hand all night.”

“So what’s the problem.”

“Scarlett Smith is the problem.”

“I thought they broke up.”

“So did I. Until she showed up here yesterday.”

“Wait, Scarlett Smith was here?”

“Yep.”

“In Jamesville?”

“Yep.”

“In Nooks and Books?”

“Yep.”

“You are shitting me.”

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