Page 30 of The Write Track
“What did you tell him?”
“Just that it was being sized. It was all I could think of.”
I could work with that. “I have an idea for the ring.”
“It can’t be something you get from a gum-ball machine. He’s going to know the difference.”
“Don’t worry about that. I have something else we can use. Trust me.”
She opened her mouth then shut it. “I can’t believe you want to help me even though you don’t know me.”
“Well, believe it. Sometimes people aren’t as terrible as you want them to be.”
“I never want them to be terrible. I just keep getting surprised.”
“Well, maybe you’ll be surprised in the other direction this time.”
“Maybe, but I won’t hold my breath.”
“Try not to be such a pessimist,” I admonished. “Optimists live longer.”
“My mother is an optimist.” She was rueful. “I used to be.”
“Well, let’s see if we can find that Bella, huh?”
She managed a small smile, and it was so beautiful I felt a pang in my heart. “I really appreciate what you’re doing.”
“Don’t.” My grin disappeared. “I won’t let a man like Preston win. It’s going to be fine. Just… have a little faith. You don’t just have me on your side. You have Hayley, Bree, and Brody too. We’re kind of a little tribe.”
“And you just think it will all magically work out?”
“Bella, you write books. If you don’t believe in the magic, what are you doing in this business?”
She looked so rocked by the question that for a moment, I regretted saying it. Then she broke into a wide grin. “You’re not nearly as bad as people say.”
“Shh. Don’t let that get around. I have a reputation to uphold.”
“I’m not sure I believe that.”
“Well, you’ll learn. Eventually.”
“If you say so.”
“Iknowso.”
8
EIGHT
Nathan and I exchanged phone numbers before I left his house. In case of emergencies, which I hoped would not be a thing. To my surprise, he started texting me that night. It threw me.
Nathan:What are you doing?
Bella:What are you doing?
Nathan:Getting to know you. It’s important in case I make a mistake and say your favorite color is mustard when it’s really teal in front of Preston.
That made me laugh.
