Page 239 of Just for the Plot

I chuckle as I lean back on the couch, staring up at the ceiling. “Ugh…I’m not ready.”

“No one is ever truly ready. You can prepare all you want, but that’s all it will ever be—preparation. And you need action. And you’re just about there. So, take action.” She pats my leg. “You have thirty days.”

I let out a deep breath. “How about sixty?”

She laughs. “Don’t make it fifteen.”

“Okay, okay.” I sit up now and turn to Adalade. “Thank you,” I say, knowing it’s the right thing to offer her right now, even though I’m terrified.

“You know, I’ve always seen something in you, something special. It’s why I hired you in the first place, and I couldn’t quite put my finger on it. But this idea, this is that something special. I see you succeeding and succeedingspectacularly.” She squeezes my hand. “Best of luck, and I better be on the list of guests for the grand opening.”

I smile at her. “How could you not?”

“My thoughts exactly. Now tell me about Gabby. She came over this morning?”

I groan. “Adalade, she found out about me and Bennett.”

She crosses one leg over the other and says, “Now this is the type of stuff I’m going to miss when you leave. Tell me everything.”

Bower:I’m headed home. Where are you?

Bennett:At the stadium, getting a workout in. Are you okay? I’ve been texting all morning.

Bower:Rough day. Adalade fired me—well, gave me thirty days, and I’m still trying to wrap my head around that as well as the Gabby thing.

My phone rings in my hand and I don’t have to look at the screen to know who it is.

“Hey,” I say as Mark drives me back to my apartment building, a benefit I’ll miss when I’m finished working with Adalade.

“Babe, what’s going on? She fired you? Was it because you were late this morning?”

“No. She found my folder for the book truck, and well, she loves the idea, thinks I can succeed doing it, but knows that I won’t put my full effort into it if I’m still working for her. So, she’s letting me go.”

“Shit,” he says as I can hear weights being set down in the background. “Are you okay?”

“I think so. Still kind of in shock, trying to convince myself that everything will be okay.”

“It will be,” he says softly. “You have me, and I’ll be there for you every step of the way.”

“I know, and I love you for that,” I answer, staring out the window. “How are things with Gabby? I know I just left you there with her, but I figured you two needed to hash things out.”

“Things are good,” he answers, giving me hope. “We talked throughthings, and I know she wants to talk to you tonight. She’s at the apartment she’s borrowing from Hayes right now, but she and Ryland are coming over later. Do you think you would be up for a chat?”

“Yes,” I answer, not even having to think about it, because if anything, I need Bennett in my life, and if that means having an awkward conversation with my best friend, then so be it.

“You sure? I can reschedule, given everything that’s happened.”

“No. I want to talk to her. I want this to be out in the open and okay, because I don’t want to have to hide anymore. You mean so much to me. I want to be able to celebrate that.”

“I don’t think you understand how happy that makes me, baby.”

“Hopefully so happy that I can take advantage of that happiness tonight, when your sister leaves.”

He chuckles, the sound so sweet and giving me comfort. “Yeah, I foresee you taking advantage multiple times.”

“Words I love to hear.”

“Is Mark driving you?” he asks.