The Substitute: A Single in Seattle Novella by Kristen Proby

Author:Kristen Proby [Proby, Kristen]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: 1001 Dark Nights Press
Published: 2024-08-20T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Six

Maya

“Is he still being an asshat?” Stella asks as she passes me my coffee and takes hers from the barista. “He didn’t look like a jerk to me when I picked you up for lunch. He’s pretty sexy, and that accent is…wow.”

“He finally apologized,” I reply as I sit in a seat by the window and shimmy out of my jacket. “Despite that, I was so ready to get out of there for the weekend. I need some time away from him, you know?”

“Sure, sure, makes sense.”

“You still haven’t said anything to Gray, right?”

Stella smirks. “Hell, no. If I did, he’d show up there and kick Derek’s ass.”

“I don’t know, Derek is pretty built.” I grin and sip my iced latte. “It might be fun to watch. But no, I don’t want Gray to know what happened. He’d just go right into fierce-brother mode and cause a ruckus. It’s not necessary. I’m handling it.”

“Did you just say ruckus?” Stella laughs and breaks off a piece of her cinnamon roll. “That’s hilarious, and he totally would do that. I love this new tradition of having Saturday coffee together, by the way.”

“Me, too.” I sigh happily and eye her. I’ve loved being close to my friends and the people I care about in Seattle yet knowing my parents aren’t too far away. “What’s new with you? How is the business going?”

Stella is an amazing interior decorator and recently opened her own design company, which has taken off really well. She’s been featured in big-time design magazines and television shows.

“I didn’t think it would take off so fast,” she admits. “I know small businesses take time to build, but we’ve done great. It doesn’t hurt that I have a family full of celebrities, and whenever someone gets a new house or decides to remodel, they call on me to help—and don’t mind having their new digs flashed all over the known world.”

“No, that definitely doesn’t hurt. Sidney’s obsessed with her new bed and bath, by the way. I have to get over there to check it out.”

“That was a dream to design,” Stella says with a sigh. “I learned a long time ago not to feel weird about my famous family giving me a leg up in life. I know I’m privileged, and I don’t take it for granted. But if they’re going to offer the help, I’ll absolutely take it.”

“As you should,” I reply immediately, totally agreeing with her. “They love you, and they’re proud of you. They want to show you off. If I get to a place where I can buy my own house, I’ll definitely hire you to help me. I’m as bad with home décor as I am with fashion.”

Stella laughs and pats my hand. “We all have our talents, friend, but you’re getting way better at the fashion stuff. That pink jumpsuit with the denim jacket is…chef’s kiss.”

I’m quiet for a moment as I sip my coffee, and then I admit, “You know, I’m not sure what my talent is.

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