Page 97 of All Signs Point to Malibu

“You were right, Hailey. The mystery series sells and readers love it. I just re-signed with the publisher for three more books.”

That’s wonderful for her, but... “Are you happy?”

Alice looks slightly conflicted by the question. She takes a deep breath before saying, “I’m making money doing what I love. I receive countless emails from fans telling me how my books have impacted their lives, which gives me another layer of fulfillment not many people get in their lifetime. My days consist of imagining new towns and characters and letting them live lives I’ll never live and say things I’ll never get to say... Can anyone really ask for more than that?”

“That does sound nice.” I used to think I made an impact on people’s lives too and deep down, I know there’s truth in that belief, but right now, I’m only seeing the faults in my actions.

Alice must sense my inner turmoil as she sends me a grateful look. “Sometimes, we don’t always know what’s the best thing for us.” Alice steps forward and gives me a hug. There’s a finality to it, closure I can feel even before she says the words “But you were right.” She takes a step back. “I’m okay on my own now.”

Tears rim my eyes as I force a smile and nod, not trusting my voice to speak. This was the moment we were trying to get to, but now that it’s here, I know I’ll miss Alice.

She closes the door and I wipe a tear away as I scan the quiet, deserted street.

No taxis in sight, I start to walk.

Light reflects on the surface of the pool as I sit on the edge with my feet in the water. I toy with the tattered hem of the maid of honor dress as I stare at my reflection in the water.

My heart feels heavy and despite the reassurance I received from Darren and Alice an hour ago, years of questioning spiral through my mind.

I’m recalling every client, every piece of advice and every life path I’ve encouraged people to take over the years. The collateral damage of other people’s success has always been a panic attack–inducing thought so I never entertained it.

Now I wonder about the people I’ve coached.

I see their success on the outside, but what has it cost them personally?

I pick up my phone and scroll through my contact list, which consists of all my former clients. Not because I wanted to keep in touch. Six months and I was out. Unless I needed them to help another client. Networking, that’s how success in business works.

But it’s just a glorified way of using people, calling in favors from those who will feel compelled to assist.

I scroll through the photos from the past few weeks. Sonia and Liam together at my VIP party, at the engagement party... Sonia and me recording her audition tape, dancing at Brooks’s Bar, at the day spa in robes and slippers...

Photos of Warren and me...

One of Warren in my sunglasses, lying on the dollar-shaped floatie, has me laugh-sobbing. That day had been the biggest disaster on all counts and yet it was the best chaotic mess I’ve ever enjoyed. Being with him, being around him, discovering other layers of him was a wild journey I never thought I’d take.

I put the phone down and close my eyes, but I can’t erase the image of his face—the cocky grin, the way he stared at me with desire and lust when we were together in his bed, the way his expression held real emotion earlier in the suite before everything went wrong...

The one that hits hardest is the look of hurt on his face tonight as he broke my heart because I’d broken his.

My feelings for him are undeniable. The last few weeks my entire life has been turned on its head and for the briefest of moments, it felt like I could truly have it all. I thought I could take the leap of faith, but I never should have let my guard down. Falling for Warren was the worst thing I could have done, being vulnerable with him has put my entire existence at risk...

At minimum it’s shattered my heart.

Tonight, I’m spiraling, and the deafening silence around me is a reminder of just how alone I’ve created my world to be.

EIGHTEEN

HAILEY’S DAILY RULE FOR SUCCESS:

Sometimes believing is the hardest act of faith.

I’m losing my shirt at poker Sunday night, but my mind is just not in the game. It hasn’t been in any game all week. I’m letting the team down when they need me most because my focus is not on the field, where it should be.

Unfortunately, Hailey Harris is everywhere I look. The video of the wedding disaster has gone viral. Several guests had captured the kiss and the aftermath on their cell phone, posted it and that Stanley Spencer jerkoff—Hailey’s biggest professional rival—made it go viral.

And of course once the media sinks their teeth in...everything in a person’s past gets dug up and aired. Like the news article on my cell phone now with a headline that reads: “Not the first time Hailey Harris has messed up someone’s life. Ask professional football star Warren Mitchell.”

Under the headline is a photo of Hailey and me in cuffs being escorted to the airport security office.

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