Page 53 of Is This for Real?
My stomach sinks. I take a deep breath. I had really hoped she was the one. She was so easy to talk to, and we just clicked. I should have waited to send it to her. It wasn’t ready—even after all the revising. How canFake Dating Follybe ready in three weeks?
Maybe I should just give up onMidnight Masquerade. But she did give me constructive criticism. I can create more disasters. It’s fixable. It’s not ready for the drawer where manuscripts go to gather dust.
IfIdon’t know when my work is good, that doesn’t bode well forFake Dating Folly.
An older couple is sitting across from me. He reads her a quote from his book. She laughs and grasps his hand. I wanted to be that couple once.
And if I’m honest with myself, I thought Rory and I could be that couple. But I also thought agents would loveMidnight Masquerade.
I need to get rid of these “feelings” for Rory and focus on writingFake Dating Folly. I look down at Maya’s email saying more should go wrong.
A few disasters or excursions dealing with mundane practicalities—not remotely romantic—should do the trick. I can’t count the number of fights my parents had over who was doing what housework, even with a weekly cleaning service.
Closing up Theresa’s Fire Island cottage should be a routine, tedious—definitely not magical—activity. There is a reason Jamie wanted to outsource it. I can’t go next weekend because I really have to concentrate on writing. I check the two-week weather forecast, and it says cold and rainy for the last weekend in September. A storm is moving up the coast. Perfect. Usually, it's still warm in September in Fire Island so I wasn't sure the weather would be cold enough.
If I’m cold and cleaning a house, I should be grumpy enough to repel Rory and to stop myself from seeing him in this glowing light. Theresa certainly said she would never bring me again to help close up because I was so miserable.
Me to Rory:Weekend in Fire Island might be fun, even if we are closing up house. Should we volunteer for last September weekend? Will be work.
I feel like I have to give fair warning.
Rory:By ourselves?
Me:Yes. Only us. If Jamie has time, then he can do it.
Rory:Then, yes. Love the beach in the fall.
I frown. If he likes cold, windy beach days, he’s in for a treat. And my plan may not work. But it’s still worth a shot.
Me to Jamie:Rory and I can close up cottage for you if you want.
Jamie:Are you sure? You hate being cold. Freezing out there. Heaters not working. And lot of work to clean.
Me:Romantic weekend for us.
Jamie:If you like camping in late September. There is a fireplace.
Cleaning and “camping” in the cold should smite these flickers of attraction. We’ll see the worst of each other, and I’ll get over this crush I have.
Chapter fifteen
OnSundayafternoon,Mini Maniaeditor Maryann Hughes calls me and says they will includeFake Dating Follyinallthe publicity. They need my art gallery project in mid-November. I can’t believe my writing career is launching at the same time as my mini career. Even though I’ve always maintained that my two passions support each other, particularly to Theresa and Olivia, I certainly never contemplated that I’d be able to launch my book as part of a miniature project. I meant that they fueled each other creatively. And I’ve never argued that they work well together in terms of time commitment.
As I put my phone down, it rings again. It’s Esther.
“Vera is interested!” she shouts into my ear.
I scream, “Yes!”
“She can’t commit until she sees it in full, but she says Strawbundle Publishing would be willing to work with you to get it ready for the APT-TV auction if they commit toFake Dating Folly.”
“Oh my God.” My legs feel weak. I collapse into the chair by our dining room table. “My book could be published.”
“Get writing, my friend. She also loved the miniatures blog angle, so keep that up, too. Okay, I have to go. I have to finish drafting this contract, but I’m so excited for you.”
“Thank you so much. This would not be happening without you. Thank you.”
I text Rory.
