Page 7 of How to Write a Rom-Com

I continue sitting there, speechless, while everyone begins filing out. Elle is the last to leave, winking at me as she disappears from view. I shake my head. I think this team has all collectively gone to the zoo today.

“The only way I would do something like this is if there was a promotion at the end of it.”

It happened again. My mouth acted as a completely separate entity from my brain. I never say things like this. I’m not the one who says what she wants, I’m not upfront and brutally honest, I leave all those qualities to Elle. When I say something like that, it comes off as judgmental or harsh.

My mouth opens to retract my statement, but I quickly close it. What if Iwasthat type of person? Someone who had the courage to ask for what I wanted?

Ironically, my lack of a filter has just answered that question for me.

“You mustreallywant a promotion, huh?” Anne says, crossing her arms.

“Well, yeah, I thought it was fairly obvious,” I say, my voice trailing off. I feel a drop of sweat trail down my temple and I try to subtly wipe my forehead. A knot has formed in my throat and I curse myself for not bringing any water into the meeting.

Anne sits back in her chair and crosses her arms. “You’ve worked here for three years, of course, it is obvious,” she says bluntly. She tilts her head at me, putting her tongue against her cheek before she continues, “Shall we negotiate?”

I let out a quiet breath. I can do this. I like Anne. She’s notthatintimidating, right? I can make the best of this situation.

This is the opportunity I’ve been waiting for. Sure, I never expected it to materialize like this, but this can be my chance to prove to Anne that she should have promoted me a long time ago. I can outline a book. I can find inspiration for Ruby and convince her to stay at Heartwarming. If there was ever an assignment that was perfect for me—besides the fact that it involves going to a small town where the closest sign of civilization is a Walmart—this is it.

“I can see your brain spiraling. Don’t overthink this,” she warns.

Clearly she’s never met me.

“Anne… I don’t even have a car,” I blurt out.

Anne studies me for a moment before responding. “Penny and I have two cars. You can drive mine upstate. I’m taking some time off between Memorial Day and July 4th so really Penny and I can share.”

“You trust me to drive your car?” I ask bluntly.

“Are you a bad driver?” Anne probes, one perfectly-shaped eyebrow raised.

“Not at all, but—”

“Then there you go. Next?”

I blink furiously trying to regain my composure and decipher the alien that has clearly inhabited the woman who used to be my boss. “Right,” I say, clearing my throat. “How—how would we consider this trip a success?” I ask awkwardly.

Anne nods. “Good question. Let’s say by the time you leave you’ll have fleshed out two love interests and maybe five supporting characters. And that includes an outline of your fictitious town—what it looks like and what brings the locals together. You should also recommend ideas for dates or meet-cutes, Ruby will love that,” Anne says. “Also, I wouldn’t tell anyone why you’re there—they might shun you. When people ask, just say you’re on sabbatical.” When I finish scribbling notes in my book, I find Anne looking at me expectantly. “So, you’ll do it?” she asks.

I take a deep breath. “Well,” I say hesitantly. I wipe my sweaty palms on my pants and try to regain my nerve. Anne nods to urge me on. “If these criteria are met and I find inspiration for a new series, Ruby approved, of course, there would be an opportunity for advancement upon my return?”

Anne takes a deep breath. After a few awkward, painful,soul-crushinglysilent moments, she finally speaks.

“Sure. Yes.”

Sure? Did she really just say sure?

“If you manage a successful outline, then yes, I’ll see what I can do on the promotion front. But this isn’t a vacation, Lucy. I know I don’t have to explain to you how catastrophic it would be for us to lose Ruby.”

I swallow hard. “Understood.”

“Wonderful!” Anne exclaims, clapping her hands together.

“Yes, wonderful,” I echo.

Small Town U.S.A. here I come.

Chapter Three

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