Page 46 of Sing it, Sam

“How can there be a positive?” I huff.

“All these emotions you’re experiencing—you need to tap into them. Even if it has no relevance to your current WIP, write it all down. Thoughts, physical reactions—everything,” Janice says, looking around the group.

“You know, sometimes writing about something not directly related to your current project, can really help untap your inner writer,” Hannah adds.

I rub at my eyes and breathe deeply in and out. Are they crazy? Should I have boycotted today’s meeting? I’m no further advanced, and I’m not sure I’m in the right frame of mind to be here.

“How about we talk about something else?” Leonie says in a comforting tone. She toys with her long silver pendant and tilts her head to the side as she looks me up and down. “What about Sam? Yeah. We should talk about him.”

“What about Sam?” I ask with a shrug.

“Any stolen glances, butterflies? What’s the story?” She flutters her eyelashes at me, as if hopeful I’ll tell her all about a budding romance.

I take a moment to think of how to respond without giving too much away. My face heats up as I recall my tongue in his mouth. “We’re getting to know each other,” I finally spit out.

“Heaps of great relationships start between friends,” Leonie says. “Everyone loves a good friends-to-lovers trope.”

“I don’t buy it,” Britt says. “Your face is redder than a cooked lobster. Something’s happened between you two. I’m sensing there’s been a shift.” She narrows her grey–blue eyes and leans in close, never breaking eye contact. “There’s some uncertainty. On his part?”

What, is she psychic or something?

I look among the faces of my fellow writers and realise I can’t fool them. Besides, who else have I got to talk to about this stuff?Damn you, travelling BFFs. “Okay, we kissed,” I admit.

“Really?” Britt says, and runs her hands back through her dreadlocks. “I was right?”

“On the money,” I add with a sigh.

“Good for you,” Leonie coos and taps me on the back.

A coy smile tugs at the corner of Hannah’s mouth. Janice takes a few sips of her coffee, focusing on the saucer when she puts the cup down.

“I just don’t know if I should have, I mean.” I puff out a breath.

“What are you worried about?” Leonie says. “If you’re concerned about making the first move, don’t be. That’s how I hooked Matt. We’ve never looked back.”

“It’s not that. I mean, yeah, I feel like I might’ve overstepped the boundaries with him, but more so, I really like him. More than any guy I’ve dated, if I’m honest. If he likes me as more than a friend, which I’m not entirely sure of, then how is our relationship going to work? What kind of life would we have together if he’s stuck in the home?”

I threw myself at him. There was little resistance on Sam’s part, but his reaction wasn’t what I was expecting. I probably should’ve stayed and talked it out, but I’d needed to get out of there. Call it a protective measure.

“Love can overcome any barrier,” Janice barks. “Quoting my own work, there,” she says and winks. “I can gift you a copy of my debut if you like.”

Any opportunity to work herself into the conversation. I’m beginning to see why Hannah and her butt heads from time to time. I smile politely and nod, unsure of what to say.

“Love’s not always easy,” Britt says and bites at her thumbnail. My stomach takes a dive. Losing a loved one to cancer … well, that sucks so bad. I can’t even comprehend what that must’ve been like. And here I am harping on about a kiss.

I reach across the table and place my hand over hers.

She grips my hand tight. “Not everyone sees you for who you are. Finding someone who can truly appreciate you, know you, and accept you is a rare gift. The universe has a plan for each of us. Sometimes, that plan is fucked up, I can attest to that, but what I see here, Jane, is that the plan for you started with you getting this job. You were meant to cross paths with Sam.”

I was? How does she know this?

“What now, though?” I ask, looking at the knowledgeable faces around the table.

“You know what you need to do?” Janice barks and places both palms down hard on the table.

“What’s that?” I ask, directing my gaze to Janice.

“Own it. Walk right into his room and say, ‘Yeah, I kissed you. What are you gonna do about it?’”

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