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“Maybe because he thought you would be the best,” Hen said.
I wiped at my eyes. “Joke’s on him.”
Hen tilted her head sympathetically, and Birdie sat on the arm of my chair to rub my back. As she made slow circles with her hand, she said, “He loved you. That wasn’t fake.”
“It would be easier if it was,” I said. “Then I wouldn’t feel like such a villain for being myself.”
Henrietta opened her mouth to argue, but my text tone went off again, and we all huddled around my phone to see what Tess had said.
Tess: How long are you going to be out of town? Tracey wants to know how long she should pencil it in.
Mara: Nine months.
Tess: That’s so long!!! Why nine months?
Mara: I got a deal to write for a TV show!
It was good news, even if it didn’t totally feel like it.
Tess: !!! That’s so exciting! Congratulations! Make sure you take time off for the wedding. ;)
Mara: Thanks, girl.
Looking over my shoulder, Birdie said, “Nine months? Have you gotten any other details?”
I nodded, swallowing my bite of ice cream. “My agent called me today, and we went over the contract. My flight leaves tomorrow morning, and I meet the other writers on Tuesday.”
Hen said, “I had no idea it took that long to write a show. Do you think you’ll rent out your house here while you’re gone? You could make some good money.”
“I don’t think the initial script takes nine months, but we have to be there during filming to weigh in on the script and how things play out. I haven’t even thought of renting my place...” I wondered how much else I hadn’t thought of. For the first time, I was feeling overwhelmed.
I’d be making enough money that I wouldn’t need to rent out the house, but I didn’t like the idea of it sitting empty either.
“No pressure,” Hen said. “I just know someone who might be interested.”
I raised my eyebrows. “Please say it’s you?”
She laughed. “Still saving for my own house and it doesn’t get much better than free. The promotion should help speed things up though.”
Birdie and I both gave Hen a surprised look. “What?” Birdie asked. “You got a promotion?”
Henrietta looked a little bashful. “They asked me to manage the build for the new apartments! I get a raise and a year of free rent on a two-bedroom in the new building!”
My smile grew wide—I knew how long she’d been wanting this. “Hen, that’s amazing!” I stood up with my giant wine glass. “We have to celebrate!”
She gave me a look. “It’s okay. You have your own thing going on.”
“Which means I get to do what I want,” I retorted.
“Hear, hear,” Birdie said.
I grinned, pulling Henrietta up. “To us.”
Henrietta clinked her glass to mine. “To us.”
Birdie followed suit and said, “To us. Best friends forever.”
My smile faltered, but only for a second, as I clinked my glass to hers.