Page 4 of Misfortune and Mr. Right

Rhett literally drops to his mat and covers his nose with his paws.

“So little faith, buddy?”

He rolls over so I’ll scratch his belly. I oblige him, squatting and wondering if my dog is a psychic. Maybe he’s just a realist. I’ve known Olivia since we were kids. We were in every school activity and club together. We share common interests. We even both pursued marketing degrees at BU. You’d think with all that overlap, we’d be best friends—or at least allies. But Olivia steered clear of me like she was avoiding the next pandemic.

It’s been six years since we graduated from college. Six years of me living in Boston and only coming home to Serendipity Springs over the holidays to see my parents. They moved to the most affluent neighborhood in town during my elementary school years. But they kept me enrolled in my old school district for consistency.

I would have had to go out of my way to see Olivia when I was home over the past six years. Her parents still live in the same house where she grew up.

But now? Now we’ll be working and living in the same town. I’m bound to see her at some point. And maybe, after all this time, we can bury the hatchet once and for all.

And not bury it in my person, as I think she has wanted to on more than one occasion.

No. This time I want us to declare a truce from whatever invisible war she’s been waging against me. I’d like more than that, but at the very least, I’m hoping to strike up a friendship.

My phone pings with a text from Gilbert, my best friend back in Serendipity Springs.

GIL

Hey! What’s the verdict?

LOGAN

I got the job! They were incredibly positive about me. Said I was their first choice by a long shot.

GIL

Aren’t you everyone’s first choice?

LOGAN

Not everyone. But thanks for the vote of confidence.

GIL

So, you’ll be coming home!

LOGAN

Yep. Just put an application in on an apartment. Spoke to the owner of the building this morning. Looks good.

GIL

Can’t wait to see you.

LOGAN

I’ll be there this weekend. Start work Monday.

GIL

Awesome. The guest room is cleared out. Maisy bought all your favorite foods. She was sure you were coming. By the way, she never goes out of her way like that for me. Consider yourself privileged. She even bought dog treats for that mutt of yours.

LOGAN

She’s the best. I was going to take you two out to thank you. And I won’t tell Rhett you called him a mutt.

GIL

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