Page 20 of All Signs Point to Malibu

“You know most people don’t fear failure,” I say. “They fear success. As women we’ve been conditioned not to let our ambitions soar too high. Balancing what society expects from us with our own desires keeps us in a paralyzed state of mediocrity.”

Alisha breathes out as though I’ve just encapsulated her very existence. “You’re so right...but what if I fail?”

It’s times like these when I wish I could confide my secret—tell her with the utmost confidence that she won’t—but I’m afraid without that self-doubt, without that uncertainty, my clients won’t strive as hard to get where I’ve seen them.

That, and the fact that I’d be hauled off to the university science lab.

“Then we will fail fabulously together,” I say, extending my champagne glass to hers. We clink and the deal is set. Though I will be getting a contract to her ASAP. “Now...as promised, let’s record an announcement of our working partnership to your followers.”

Alisha reaches for her cell phone and we move closer and go live.

As we wrap up moments later, Alisha heads off to get another glass of champagne and now that I’ve warmed up with an easy one, I scan the yard for my next acquisition.

I frown. None of the athletes I personally invited are here. What the hell do I need to do to get their attention? I offered a free introductory session through their coaches and got ghosted. I reached out to managers and agents and got the same old brush-off. I just need one client to commit and the rest will follow, but the people calling the shots tend to be old-school. The psychology of the sport isn’t valued as much as the physical training.

Or...

I reach for my phone and open Spencer Stanley’s socials.

That fucking guy!

I scroll through photos of his own event this evening—a VIP booth at a baseball game. Pro basketball, football, and hockey players all in attendance, eating pizza, drinking beer, and posing for selfies with Spencer. Why didn’t I think of that?

Annoyed, I put the phone away, then spot Liam and Sonia arriving across the yard. Jealousy or longing? Not sure exactly how to label the emotion overshadowing my previous irritation. They both look fabulous—Liam in a suit, which has to be Sonia’s influence as he always refused to wear one with me. She’s dressed in a pale pink silk number with nothing underneath—not a trace of an undergarment anywhere. Elegant and fabulous. Liam’s eyeing her as though he can’t wait to get her out of here and out of the dress.

Definitely both—jealousyandlonging.

“They make a cute couple, don’t they?”

Startled by the voice so close to my ear, the warm breath against my neck, I jump and spill my champagne. I turn and glare at Warren, who’s carrying a glass of whiskey on ice. “Who let you in here? And where did you get whiskey? It’s a champagne-only event.”

“I came with Liam and his adorable new fiancée, Sonia. And your bartender is a big football fan,” he says smugly, sipping the liquid.

I roll my eyes and prepare an earful, but Liam and Sonia join us, arms wrapped around one another.

“Hope it’s okay I invited him,” Liam says.

I suspect he has an ulterior motive. Maybe wanting Warren and me to settle this feud once and for all. Not likely.

“Of course...like a high school reunion,” I say with a tight smile.

“This place is fabulous. I can’t believe I’m here,” Sonia says excitedly.

Neither can I.

A popular song comes on and Sonia grips Liam’s hand—tugs him gently toward the pool deck dance area. “Come on. This is my favorite song.”

Liam resists and shakes his head. “You know I don’t dance.”

“Well, I do,” Warren says charmingly. He forces his glass into my hand and he and Sonia head off. Liam smiles as he watches and I can’t take my eyes off his handsome face. He’s clean-shaven tonight and the smell of his familiar cologne lingers on the breeze.

At least Sonia hasn’t changed one thing about him. Yet.

“She’s really incredible,” I say because it’s true even if I don’t love her being so incredible forhim. Everything I’ve read online has only confirmed that she’s as genuine as she is beautiful. Sure, not everything is as it appears and everyone has skeletons in their closet...but I’m not sure if I’m up to the challenge of discovering Sonia’s. I’m still having trouble believing that Liam will actually go through with this lifelong commitment. How could one woman over five months reprogram a lifetime of anti-marriage views?

As lovely as they seem together, I give the relationship another three months before Liam freaks out and calls off the engagement.

“She’s obsessed with you and she likes me more because I know you, so thank you for that,” he says, sipping his champagne and grimacing at the taste.

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