Page 23 of All Signs Point to Malibu

Stop Liam from damaging his career.

Also a big one.

Help Liam and Sonia save money.

Weddings are ridiculously expensive.

Ensure extended family aren’t collateral damage in the eventual breakup.

I know firsthand the loss of the family unit can be as heartbreaking as the loss of the relationship.

Liam will be single and available again.

I sigh and delete the last one. That would be more formybenefit than his. I need to remain a neutral third party and besides, that glimpse means I’m no longer emotionally invested in a future with Liam. Seeing him again after so long and the nostalgic feelings of once being head over heels in love with him had clouded my judgment temporarily. What Liam and I had is firmly in the past. Now I just want to help in the most platonic sense.

I click on the con side and think. Whyshouldn’tI interfere?

It’s none of my business.

Since when have I ever let that stop me? I delete the con. It’s circumstantial, not based on fact.

I pause and think. There have to be other downsides...

If I’m caught sabotaging, Liam will stop speaking to me.

Again, seems more about whatIhave at risk. I delete it.

I need at least one. Otherwise, it feels like I haven’t tried hard enough. I always tell my clients that no matter how fantastic an idea is or how positive it seems, there is always a downside and if it’s not acknowledged and explored early, it will no doubt be the thing that resurfaces to bite them in the ass.

Think, Hailey, think.

I tap my fingers on the desk and really dig deep. Why should I allow Liam to marry a beautiful, sweet, thoughtful heiress despite the inevitable disastrous outcome? Why is it better to sit back and be a silent observer in this volcano bubbling to the surface that will eventually erupt? Why would it be better to pretend I’m in complete support of this union, even though I know it won’t work out?

All that’s coming to mind is why would anyone do that?

I need to think of it a different way. What good comes from failure? What is learned?

I got it! I sit forward and type...

Liam may not grow as a person if he avoids deep sorrow and regret. He may not learn from the life lesson this experience will provide.

I smile. There. No one could argue that’s not a big one. Actually, that’s technically two. I break the bullet points apart and count.

Four pros, two cons.

After much deliberation and sincere soul-searching, guess I have my answer.

Let Operation Breakup commence.

But first, I delete the document. You never—ever—keep the list, because as I remind my clients—things did not end well for Ross Geller.

Is it fair to say I’m taking out my hangover on the team? Absolutely, but they’ll be better players for it.

Sunglasses on, head throbbing and feeling like death, I stand at the edge of the football field. Going to Hailey’s party last night had succeeded in pissing her off and ensuring Sonia’s safety, but the after-party drinks at Deek’s with the happy couple had been a bad idea. Getting home after three and getting up at dawn to submit my final course paper before practice has me feeling my age.

I grab the whistle around my neck and blow three consecutive toots, then wince as the piercing sound hurts my brain. I wave a hand in the air, motioning for my eleven senior players to start the drill again.

Grumbles and profanity all around.

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