Page 82 of My Ex-Best Friend's Wedding

“And?”

This smile is one of grim satisfaction. “And it inspired my publisher to offer even more to keep me. Plus, I had the pleasure of instructing Chris Wolfe to tell both of them that their offers did not excite me as I’d hoped. And that I was afraid I’d have to pass.”

Her answer is both terrible and wonderful. I could never say or do such a thing.

“The point I’m trying to make is that you can’t control whatothers think. You’ve heard that saying, ‘Opinions are like assholes. Everyone has one’? The only things you can control are how good a book you write and how you react to the assholes. You alone choose whether you’re going to let them stop you. Or use them to spur you on.”

“So that’s all there is to it? I just keep sending out proposals until somebody says yes?”

“Well, your proposal could use a little tweaking. You made a few rookie mistakes at the beginning of the book. It’s not a difficult fix. I can show you how if you want before you submit to anyone else.”

“You would do that.”

“Um-hmmm, it’ll give me something to do, considering how stuck I am with my own book and the fact that my career is currently in free fall.” She looks as surprised as I am at the admission. “Did I really just say that out loud?”

I nod.

“Holy shit.”

“What’s going on?”

“Oh, lots of things you’ll find out about onceHeart of Goldis published.”

Despite the fact that she’s in the middle of talking about her own problems I get a shiver of excitement at the assumption that my novel will actually be published. “Like?”

“A slump in sales. Writing in a genre that’s not as hot as it was. The constant pressure to produce something even better than what you did before. Only it can’t be too different because the Queen of Beach Reads is not expected to write dark or allow things to end badly.”

I wait because I still recognize her pregnant pauses.

“Oh, and they’re planning to bring out an anniversary edition ofSandcastle Sunriseto help boost sales. They want to do a big launch at your store when it’s released next June.”

My own pause is equally pregnant. “When were you planning to tell me about that?”

“I was supposed to tell you while we were there but I couldn’t do it. I knew it would upset you and I... Well, for the first time it seemed like maybe we didn’t hate each other so much anymore. And then, of course, there were a few other things going on.”

I can’t help but smile at the understatement.

“Oh, andSay Yes to the Dressis interested in having me on the show.”

“Seriously? You’re going to be onSay Yes to the Dress?”

“I haven’t decided yet.”

“Oh my God. I love that show. It’s one of the few programs Lily and I still binge-watch together. Even though I always feel slightly disloyal to THE DRESS while I’m doing it.”

“Yes, well. Trove wants me to do the show, choose a dress, and wear it in my wedding on the real beach whereSandcastle Sunriseis set, to kick off the launch of the anniversary edition.”

We just look at each other.

Our past, in all its messiness, passes before my eyes. If Lauren’s face is any indication she’s doing a quick stroll down memory lane, too.

“So,” she says. “In my experience good book newsandbad book news call for champagne. And dessert.”

We drink an entire bottle of Dom Pérignon and share a huge slice of Peanut Butter Chocolate Lava Cake. When I ask for what might be the hundredth time whether shereallylikedHeart of Gold, she takes my phone, holds it up, and videos herself saying, “I, Lauren Jameson aka Lauren James, do solemnly swear that I have readHeart of Goldby Brianna Williams and have found it to be wonderful.”

I replay the video too many times to count and am grinning like a loon when she asks if I’m ready to go.

“Yes. And I don’t even care where we’re going,” I say as we get up from the table. “I’m just going to follow you around all day smiling.”

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