Total pages in book: 145
Estimated words: 141425 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 707(@200wpm)___ 566(@250wpm)___ 471(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 141425 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 707(@200wpm)___ 566(@250wpm)___ 471(@300wpm)
“That’s fair,” Isla says, thoughtfully brushing a strand of chestnut hair off the fair skin of her cheek and tucking it behind her ear. “Do you know how hard it is to get fur out of an espresso machine?”
I blink at her. “I don’t, actually. Do you?”
“Very hard,” she says with the confidence of someone who always has an answer. Well, she’s not the city’s best matchmaker for nothing. “But let’s talk about your situation.”
Leighton turns to me, she’s all business. Fiercely independent, Leighton knows a thing or two about surviving in this city. “All right. I have some ideas for you while you figure out if the garlic lifestyle is for you. And the place I have in mind is pet-friendly.”
“That’s key,” I say. Even though I’m only responsible for Furby for a few more weeks, I promised the rescue to give him a place to stay until he’s ready to be adopted.
Isla doesn’t miss a beat. She pulls out her iPad and begins tapping. “Let’s start a project planner for you. We’ll list options and figure out what makes the most sense.”
Leighton nods to Isla and asks me, “How lucky are we to have the world’s most organized person as a friend?”
“The luckiest,” I reply, grinning.
Isla brightens, radiating Disney-princess energy. She could summon chipmunks to alphabetize a forest. “We’re all the lucky ones,” she says.
“We are,” Leighton seconds then adds casually, “you can always stay with Miles and me.”
I’m floored. Leighton’s generous, of course. Caring and supportive. But I’m not used to offers like that, even from friends. But it’s very her, something I’ve learned since we met several months ago and became fast friends. She’s a photographer and snapped photos for my new coaching business when I finished my run with Glacé earlier this year. I’d loved ice skating in the Cirque du Soleil-esque show during the months it was here in the city. There aren’t that many professional opportunities for ice skaters, as my father reminds me far too much.
But I push him out of my mind and focus on Leighton. Before I can answer her, though, Josie, Everly, and Maeve sweep into the café, turning our little meeting into a full-blown girl-gang intervention. I quickly run down my current crisis for the new arrivals, and then the offers start flying.
“You can stay with Wes and me,” Josie says cheerfully, readjusting her loose bun.
“Asher and I have space,” Maeve adds, since my new artist friend is always happy to help.
“Same here for Max and me,” Everly chimes in with her efficient spirit. “The only caveat is I’m not sure Athena’s great with other cats.”
I’m speechless. Truly, I didn’t expect this. The outpouring of support from these women—women I’ve only grown close to since meeting last fall—hits me hard. I haven’t had these types of friendships before. Not like this. Maybe because I’ve been so itinerant since graduating from college, bouncing from ice-skating show to ice-skating show, from cruise ships to occasional residencies. But now, settled into the city for the past several months, I’ve become part of this group of friends, and it’s such a gift to be one of the circle.
At the same time, I feel terrible taking them up on their offers. They’re all cozily paired up with hockey players, and I’m over-the-moon for them. But I’m not sure I’m ready to face all these happily-ever-afters when mine was torpedoed yesterday. It’s like peeking into a world I don’t quite belong to yet.
“I can’t thank you all enough,” I manage, swallowing the lump in my throat. “I’m honestly touched.”
“I’ve been there,” Leighton says sympathetically; she bounced around a lot last year, trying to make it on her own.
“Me too,” Josie adds. She lost a place right after she moved to town.
Isla leans in with a gentle smile. “My place is always open as well. It’s small—a studio. But the couch is excellent for napping, so it must be good for sleeping.”
Maeve clears her throat. “Which is a bonus, you know. Not all couches can go the distance and be good for night sleeping.”
“That’s very true,” Josie says thoughtfully. She’s the curious one, I’ve learned quickly. “I wonder if anyone’s ever done a study on that.”
Even though I don’t know exactly when the garlic place will be ready—or if it ever will—I do need someplace to stay immediately.
I turn to Isla, the only other single woman in the group. “I’d love to stay with you, Isla. You’re the closest to the rink.”
“Perfect.” She beams. “My couch has been waiting for someone to break it in.”
I laugh. Just one last thing. I lift my hand and wiggle the engagement ring still on my finger. It’s not a tiny rock. “Now, where’s the best place to sell this thing? I need the cash to keep my business afloat for a few months.” I feel nefarious in the best of ways. But I’m the woman who marched down the aisle to a cheating voicemail, so it seems on brand.