The Write Stuff (20 page)

"
I missed you, sweet boy," I crooned, scratching under his chin where he liked it the most. "Who needs guys when I have you?" He purred louder, obviously agreeing with me.

I snuggled deeper into
the cushions, trying to adjust to the way my body had ached all day. I hadn't planned on falling asleep when I closed my eyes, but that's exactly what happened. I welcomed the darkness. At least I would be free from the thoughts that bogged me down.

Chapter Nineteen

It took me almost a week to shake the cold
, but by the time I was finally healthy, I was able to function without thinking about Alec every minute.

During my
recovery, I caught up everything I'd fallen behind on during my trip and even outlined a rough draft of my next book. For the most part, I did a lot of sleeping. Olivia and Mom took turns checking on me and keeping me company. I did end up going to the doctor when my fever spiked, and it turned out I had a case of strep throat.

Despite being sick the entire week
, there were some positives that happened.
Wicked Lovely
had made the major bestsellers lists and was still going strong. I'd been passed out in a medicated slumber when Olivia charged into my apartment with one of those horns you blow during New Year's Eve. It took me several minutes to process what she was so excited about, but once I did, I could hardly believe it. I could now call myself a New York Times Bestseller. My entire family had shown up to congratulate me as well, and we celebrated by eating pizza in my living room since I wasn't fit to leave my apartment.

Mom threw
herself into planning my party with the help of Olivia. Neither asked for my input, which made me happy. I still wasn't thrilled with the idea of holding a party to celebrate me. My objections fell on deaf ears, so I ignored their efforts for as long as possible until Olivia showed up on the day of the big celebration.

I
n my typical fashion, it had been weeks since I had left my apartment. I was neck deep in book two of the
Wicked Lovely
series. The story was darker than my normal fare and I didn't need a psychiatrist to know why. All the emotions I had bottled up over my affair with Alec poured out in my writing. The story unfolded before my eyes. It wasn't exactly our story, but the passion and angst came directly from my soul. Never had a story flowed so effortlessly for me. It was like melted butter poured over popcorn.

When Olivia showed up at my
apartment to "style me up," I used the new book as an excuse to try to get out of the afternoon torture session she had arranged.

"
Absolutely not. You've been holed up in this apartment for almost a month, you hermit. Do you even know what the sun looks like anymore?"

I shrugged my shoulders
, glancing in my hallway mirror. So my skin was a bit pasty, but it was all in the name of sacrifice. With
Wicked Lovely
still holding on strong on the charts, I wanted to make sure I was able to release book two sometime in the fall. "I've peeked out the window. The sun is that big bright thing that makes it so hot outside."

Olivia shook her head
. "Good guess," she muttered. "Now learn to use a washing machine." I almost took offense to her comment until I looked at my yoga pants that were showing the signs of wear and tear. My tee shirt wasn't much better.

"
Fine, skank. You can fix me up for the party," I finally conceded.

She took my words to heart and spent the afternoon giving me a complete makeover. From filing, buffing and painting my short nails to trimming and styling my hair. By the time she pushed me toward my bedroom to put on the dress she
'd picked up for me, I was feeling pretty damn refreshed. I couldn't remember the last time I'd been pampered in such detail. I considered offering Olivia a raise and making these sessions regular occurrences. That way, I'd actually feel like a girl at least once a month.

Looking at myself in the mirror hanging on the back of the door, I a
dmired the elegant knot Olivia had worked into my hair. I unzipped the dress bag she had hung on my closet door, smiling with satisfaction when I saw the gorgeous bright pink summer dress with a full skirt. I probably would never have bought it for myself, but as I pulled it on over my head and spun around, the full skirt twirled around me and the bright color complemented my pale skin and light hair.

I slid my feet in the
silver strappy shoes Olivia had also bought and then stood in front of the mirror, studying my reflection. I no longer resembled a street urchin. Once again, Olivia had proved to be the best friend a girl could ask for.

She
entered my room without knocking and smiled at the fruits of her labor. "I knew that dress would be perfect. You look beautiful."

"
You did well, my friend," I said, linking my arm through hers. For a moment, we stood framed in my mirror and for the first time ever, I looked comfortable standing next to Olivia without feeling self-conscious.

"
Ready?"

I nodded
, feeling the first stirrings of excitement. Now that we were leaving, I realized it would be nice to get out of the apartment. Even if it was to attend a party in my honor. I would have to suffer through that part.

"
Are we picking up Taylor on the way?" I asked, sliding into the front seat of her car.

She slid into the driver
's seat before answering with a telltale shake of her head.

"
Oh no. What happened? I thought you guys were great together."

She shrugged
, backing out of the parking space. "He wanted more than I was willing to give. I liked being with him, but he wanted all that commitment-and-future kind of stuff. I'm too young to be thinking about tying myself down to someone right now."

Her words were like a slap in my face
. She had no idea how close they came to what Alec had said to me. It would seem that the two of them had more in common than he and I did. They both felt relationships were the equivalent of being tossed in a jail cell with no chance for parole.

I decided to change the subject before the thoughts
could completely funk up my mood. "I've decided to take next semester off."

She wasn
't as surprised as I thought she would be. "I suspected you probably would. I know getting your degree is important to you, and I'm sure you eventually will finish school, but honestly, you're already in your dream job. You're a walking, talking advertisement for the slogan 'Dreams do come true.'"

"
I do want my degree, and eventually I'll get there. I've just decided it doesn't need to be a race. Someday I'll have the diploma, and it'll look good framed on the wall, but beyond that, what will I do with it. I guess I'll have something to fall back on if this writing thing goes in the toilet."

"
I don't see that happening anytime soon," she said, grinning wickedly like she knew something I didn't.

"
Spill it," I demanded.

She laughed with delight before answering.
"Obviously, you haven't checked your emails today."

"
You know how I get when I'm writing. I haven't checked them in days."

"
Well, I'm not sure what it means exactly, but a literary agent emailed expressing her interest in
Wicked Lovely
. She asked if she could set up a phone conference with you."

My heart kicked into overdrive
. Other author friends of mine had signed with agents, and I had wondered if it was in the cards for me. "Are you kidding me?"

She grinned broadly.
"I would never joke about this, slutbag. I emailed her back and set up a time for tomorrow afternoon."

"
Holy shit. That's insanity. Do you know what this could mean?" I bounced in my seat with excitement.

"
This means we're one step closer to seeing you in bookstores, baby."

"
I think I'd pass out if that ever happened."

"
Better get ready, then. Mark my words: One day soon you'll need smelling salts."

I laughed with glee
. We had talked about this. What I would do if the opportunity arose, but I never put much stock into the conversations. Now that it was actually a possibility, I felt like a whole new door had been opened. I opened the email on my phone and for the rest of the drive, we analyzed every word, and what questions I should ask the following day.

The party was already in ful
l swing by the time we arrived. I wasn't surprised in the slightest. Olivia had this thing about never being the first person to show up anywhere. She never let it happen, claiming it made people look needy. I argued that at least showing up early meant everyone wouldn't be looking at you when you arrived late. Since she was orchestrating this night, I went with the flow.

"
Gah, how many people did you guys invite?" There had to be at least a dozen vehicles parked in the driveway and down the street of my childhood home.

She shrugged
, climbing from the car and lighting a cigarette. If I would have been more observant earlier, I would have picked up on the fact she was smoking again, thus ensuring Taylor was history. Olivia only smoked between dating guys. It was her coping mechanism. I'd tried to Dr. Phil her on more than one occasion, but eventually I let her have her vice. If it gave her the comfort she sought, then so be it.

She put the ciga
rette out after only a few puffs and deposited it in Dad's trash bins on our way past the garage to the front door. Linking her arm through mine, we entered the crowded house together.

"
Sweetheart, you look lovely," Dad greeted me, sweeping me up in a bear hug.

"
Thanks, Daddy. Olivia waved her magic wand and this is what we got. The spell will be lifted by midnight and I'll return to my normal reclusive self."

He laughed
, ruffling my hair. Olivia glared at him playfully before smoothing it back in place. "Careful. My magic only stretches so far."

"
Holy cannoli. Is that Nicole?"

"
Can't be. That girl actually looks like a girl." If Zach and Tony weren't my brothers, their smart-ass remarks would get them a kick in the ass. I would let Olivia do it though. I wouldn't want to ruin my cute shoes.

"
Har
-
har. You two are so funny."

Tony
whistled as he stepped closer, looking me over like a new car. "Hear that? She sounds like our sister. I guess she kinda looks like her too. I think we need to mess her up a little to make sure."

Olivia stepped between us
, not willing to let sibling shenanigans ruin her work. "Touch her hair and you'll be singing soprano for a week. Got me?"

Tony
's eyes sparkled like they always had when Olivia spoke to him. He stepped closer, invading her personal space. "The pain might just be worth it, coming from you," he murmured.

They stood chest to chest.
"You would like that, wouldn't you?" Olivia's hand slid provocatively across Tony's shoulder. "Maybe we can try it out sometime," she whispered into his ear. She turned her head, practically offering Tony her lips. He looked hypnotized and leaned in to take what he had always wanted. "Or not," she added, stepping away from him. "I need a drink. How about you, Nic?"

Zachary roared with laughter as Olivia and I walked away.
"You dumb bastard. How many times are you gonna fall for that?" He licked his finger and shoved it in Tony's ear, causing Tony to attempt to put him in a headlock. Before I knew it, my dad walked over quickly and separated them, slapping each one on the head. My brothers would never grow up. They were both older than me and still had to be treated like a couple of teenagers.

Olivia and I made our way to the patio where Mom
stood off to the side of the makeshift bar, chatting with her best friend, Eloise. They had been friends since we were kids, and my brothers and Eloise's boys played soccer together. Her sons spent as much time at our house as they did their own growing up. Mom and Eloise liked to joke that they shared custody of them all.

"
Nicole, you look lovely," Mom said, pulling me in for a hug before passing me to Eloise, who also gave me a hug. Being the only girl among five boys had ensured that I was treated differently. Eloise always considered me the daughter she never had. She loved taking me shopping when I was younger and designated at least one day a month as "girl time." She was worth admiring since her husband walked out on her and the boys ten years ago and she finished raising them on her own. To this day, their sons Ryan and Hunter hadn't forgiven their father for hurting their mom.

"
Hey, Eloise. How's the gardening going?"

She rolled her eyes.
"Don't ask. Whatever possessed me to think I'd have a green thumb when I can't even keep a houseplant alive is beyond me."

"
Maybe you should hire a hot young landscaper to help you out," Olivia piped in, winking outrageously as she poured herself a glass of wine. "Or give up gardening altogether and just hire yourself a pool boy."

Mom and I both laughed when
Eloise blushed brightly. She had never recovered from her husband's betrayal. We had all been trying to nudge her into the dating pool for years.