Page 109 of Prime Time Romance

An uncomfortable silence settles over the crowd as they take in that I’m still in lobster-wear.

I turn to the emcee. “I am ready for my question, sir.”

He hesitates for a moment, then repeats the same question he’s asked every contestant this evening. “If you could tell this town one thing on the seventy-fifth anniversary of Ms. Lobsterfest, what would it be?”

There’s probably a correct answer here, something to do with peace on earth, but there’s more I want to tell this town.

“I thought I wanted a life where everything turned out exactly as it was supposed to. Where your best friend always stayed your best friend, and the feelings of the boy next door never wavered. Where you stand up in front of the entire town and prove that you’re finally a woman worthy of love.

“But here’s the thing: I’ve spent the last few weeks falling for the wrong boy. And finding a kindred spirit in the friend who was supposed to be my enemy. I spent a disproportionate amount of time in a bar and had more fun than I can ever remember.

“The point is, nothing at all played out like it was supposed to, and it made me realize something….

“I want messy days that make me appreciate the really good ones, and I don’t so much mind that feeling of hitting rock bottom because it makes me appreciate that I’m a tough-ass bitch capable of crawling out of it. Divorce, despair, having my entire life pulled out from under me and tossed into a new dimension—I can take it.

“I am okay to wake up every morning and know that there aren’t guarantees in life, but that there is adventure. That there are new beginnings. That I need to love hard for whatever time I’m given because life can throw curveballs at any moment, and sometimes those curveballs are wild.

“So if I’m giving advice—and I really shouldn’t be, considering the current state of my life—it would be to take a good hard look around at this town that hasn’t seemed to change in the last fifteen years and ask yourself, is this safe and predictable life worth it? Because I think you’re missing out on getting to know some great people and experiencing some wild endings. Thank you, and good night.”

With that, I drop the mic, turn on my heel, and proudly exit stage left.

There’s nothing but silence—literal crickets in the audience. But as I enter the wing, another nagging thought surfaces that I need to get out.

I sprint back to my spot on the stage and pick up the mic still on the floor. “One last thing while we’re all gathered. Sloan Edwards has run a sundress empire for the last fifteen years. She doesn’t need a crown to tell her she’s smart, driven, talented, or worthy of anything. While thinking about everything I just said, you might want to consider nixing this pageant. It’s gross. Good night for real this time.”

This time, I exit the stage out of the left wing.

I don’t stop when Poppy attempts to corner me backstage with an Are you fudging kidding me, Sloan? Or when Sheldon calls my name as I exit through the back door.

I run down Main Street, unsure where I’m headed until I turn down the bar’s back alley and find the fire escape.

With each rung, I breathe a little deeper. Like a weight is slowly being lifted from my chest. I climb. Higher and higher. Until I can see the stars.

33

Brynn

The roof is empty.

There are no signs that anyone has been up here at all, except for an empty Moosehead bottle tipped on its side, likely left here from the other night.

I think a small part of me secretly hoped I’d climb these steps and find Josh waiting, somehow teleported back by the magic of Carson’s Cove.

I really have to find another show.

“Hey—”

My heart triple-skips at the sound of a man’s voice, but steadies as I turn to see a familiar blond step from the fire escape onto the roof. He’s wearing khakis and a flannel. The man of my dreams. But I don’t want my dreams anymore. I want reality.

“Listen, Spencer—”

He holds up his hand. “Before you say anything, there’s something I want to tell you.”

I brace for yet another love declaration.

“I heard what you said back there, and I think it was incredible.”

Surprised is not quite the right word for my reaction. “You do?”