Page 16 of The Last Love Story
Me: No worries. I walked right into it.
Me: Plus, edging is part of my job as anauthor.
To keep from going anywhere more than that playful space, I quickly change topic.
Me: But back to your question, no, I don’t have anyone assisting me. I’m coming with my friends, Zoey and Trish. Zoey is also an author and Trish is her lifelong bestie. Trish does some social media stuff for me and offered to help assist me at the event, but I think she’ll primarily be with Zoey. Short answer is: sure. Assuming you pass my vibe check.
Justin: More than fair. You’ll be there tomorrow, right? Want to meet up tomorrow night? Assess the vibes?
Me: LOL. Sure. Just let me know what time.
Justin: Sounds good. We can meet at the hotel bar. Should be nice and public. Feel free to bring your friends if it makes you more comfortable.
Me: Thanks.
I get back to packing, making sure I have plenty of shoe options available. After checking those off, I head for the bathroom and pack up all my cosmetics. I’m a makeup girl through and through. It started as a way to boost my self-confidence when I was young. Then an act of rebellion against my mom who hates makeup. Now it’s a part of me. I’m fine if I don’t wear it, but it’s a fun part of my routine, and I love how I get to play with colors and styles of makeup, give off an entirely different persona depending on the choices I make. Usually I keep it simple, but it’s always fun to explore and experiment.
From the other room, my phone pings, and when I get back, I laugh out loud at the message Justin sent.
Justin: Okay, I know this is random, but… have you ever thought of having Evvie, Taylor, and Josh end up in a polyamorous relationship?
It takes me a second to stop laughing about that. It’s cute how invested in my characters he is. He’ll be excited to know that the back half of book eight leads into Evvie’s story. She’s a character I’ve been dying to write more of ever since the end of the second book when her husband Josh cheated on her with her best friend Taylor. Since then, her story has mostly been about healing herself and living her life. She hasn’t been a central focus for a couple of books, but there’s still plenty of tension there, and with her coming back to town after a healing journey, I’m excited to dive back in.
The thought of typing out all my thoughts in response to that is too much, so I click on the voice note and continue packing as I answer him.
“Actually, yes. But it didn’t occur to me until book three, and as much as I love the idea, I didn’t lay any groundwork for a relationship between Taylor and Evvie. And that’s the only way I could do it. Tay and Josh would have to realize how much they love her and fight for her. Because otherwise, it would just be Josh getting the best of both worlds and Evvie going back to him after he cheated on her. Not something I can get behind. And I don’t think I could randomly add the right amount of tension in there now. It wouldn’t be believable. Buttttt I also have the most perfect ending for Evvie, so stay tuned. But back to the poly thing, I keep thinking I want to do some sort of One Tree Hill retelling where Brooke, Lucas, and Peyton are in a poly relationship.”
The three little dots appear, and after a moment, another message comes through.
Justin: I would read the fuck out of that.
The idea has been dancing around in my brain forever. I look down at my aching hand. If only I had more time. Though I will need something new for my subscription service at the beginning of next year.
Me: Hmm. Maybe it’s something I should do for my subscription service.
Justin: Hold up. How did I not know you have one of those? Literally running to sign up.
He adds a little running man emoji to the end of his text. I appreciate the support, even if it feels a little strange as I become friends with someone.
Taking strangers’ money is fine. Taking your friends’ money will always feel weird. It’s why Zo and I trade books. We both feel icky asking the other to pay.
“Jade? You here?” my dad calls from the living room.
“Yeah. Be out in a sec.”
I check off the couple of items I just packed, then set my list back on the bed. Grabbing my phone, I aim for the living room.
“Hey, Dad. What’s up?” I give him a quick hug and follow him to the kitchen.
“Thought I’d bring you a little something for dinner tonight and breakfast tomorrow so you don’t have to worry about ordering out. Pre-made breakfast sandwich and hash browns for the morning. Just microwave and go. And some lasagna for dinner tonight.”
“You’re the best. Thank you. Mm. Feel free to put a whole pan of lasagna in my freezer.”
He laughs. “Maybe you’ll come back to a surprise or two.”
I laugh too, but my attention shifts to my phone as it goesoff.
Justin: BTW please tell me if I’m ever annoying you with all my random thoughts and feelings about your characters.
