Page 71 of If My Wishes Came True
“I’m not calling too late, am I?” It’s 10:30 p.m. in Beachwood, an hour later than Chicago. Normally Sunny’s a night owl, but it just occurred to me that her sleeping habits may have changed, now that she’s pregnant.
“Not at all,” she assures me. “Well, Dex is fast asleep, but the baby’s always really active at night, and she’s kicking up a storm right now. I wouldn’t be able to sleep if I tried.”
“You’re about halfway there, right?”
“Yup. Nineteen weeks. She’s not even here yet, but she’s still found a way to keep me up all night,” Sunny jokes.
I giggle. “Already a troublemaker, huh. Will you text me a picture of your baby bump? I bet you look adorable.”
“Sure. Dex took a picture of me just this morning.”
Several seconds later, I get the photo on my phone. Sunny’s standing at the window of their beautiful new home, looking radiant in a cream-colored dress. Her olive skin is tanned from the summer sun, and her hair is half-up, half-down, falling in pretty ringlets down her back. She’s got one hand below her belly, which isn’t big yet, but visibly rounder than the last picture she sent me. She’s smiling and looks so, so happy.
“You’re glowing,” I tell her. “A stunning mom-to-be.”
“Thank you. That’s sweet.”
“I’m sorry about the lack of sleep, though,” I go on. “That sounds rough.”
“It’s okay,” she replies. “I’ve been using the extra time to work on my next novel.”
“Wow, good for you. And the first one’s coming out in a coupleof weeks! You must be so excited. I just pre-ordered mine.”
“That’s really thoughtful, thank you,” she says in a heartfelt tone. “But you didn’t have to do that—you know I would have sent you a signed copy.”
I shake my head. “No way. I want to help drive up your sales. Get you on the bestseller lists, where you deserve to be. I will take you up on that signature though, the next time I’m in Beachwood.”
“Absolutely.”
“I’m so happy for you, Sunny. That’s why I’m calling. I’m thinking about making a career change, like you did. Close up shop on my design business, and focus on painting. It’s something I’ve always dreamed of doing, but I never thought I’d get the chance, until recently.”
“Jenna, that’s incredible! I had no idea you loved to paint.”
“It’s kind of a long story,” I begin with a wry laugh, and then I tell her all about my passion for art, my thwarted dreams, and my journey back to them. “I want to take the leap, but I’m scared I won’t be successful. Did you ever feel that way? When you quit law to become a writer?”
She lets out a heaving sigh. “Definitely. And I’m still scared…maybe even more so now. People are going to read and review my novel and, who knows, they might rip me to shreds. Tell me I never should have quit my day job?—”
“That’ll never happen, Sunny. You’re so talented.”
“Thanks. I appreciate it. Either way, I’ll never regret my decision to leave law. I hated being a lawyer. It just didn’t feel likeme. And I’d much rather pursue my passion and fail miserably, than never even try.”
A smile lights up my face—and my heart. “You’re right.”
“I mean, what’s the worst that can happen?” Sunny continues. “You’ve already built two successful businesses. If painting doesn’t work out the way you hope, I have no doubt you’ll still land on your feet. And if youareable to turn art into a career…”
“Then I’ve made my dreams come true.”
“Exactly.”
“Thanks, Sunny. I’m so glad I called you for advice.”
“Me too. How are things in Chicago, otherwise? I hear you’ve been hanging out with Sam,” she says, sounding excited.
I chuckle. “Yeah. I think we’re friends now…but she definitely vetted me first.”
Sunny sighs. “I’m sorry about that. Sam doesn’t mince words, that’s for sure.”
“I honestly find her a little intimidating,” I admit. “She’s just so…confident. So self-assured. And she’s beautiful, with these delicate, feminine features, but the things that come out of her mouth…”
