From Fling to Ring: A Hockey Romance (The San Francisco Aftershocks)

Chapter 54

LUCY

“Michaela,I so appreciate your offer. But I just don’t think it’s right for me.”

I squeeze her hand across the table where we’re having lunch, thrilled she got funding to re-open the Freekly, and even more so that she offered me a position the second she did.

But I don’t want to go back.

She holds up a finger. “I understand, honey. But keep in mind, you can always take on some work as a stringer. You know, take an assignment here and there.”

“That would be great. I love working with you and having the opportunity to do it again would be massive.”

Our lunch is delivered and I dive into my turkey club like a starving animal. “I loved the food in Paris, but they don’t have anything quite like this.”

Michaela daintily dips into her salad and manages to take a bite without disturbing her lipstick. I have no idea how she does it.

She dabs the corner of her mouth with her cloth napkin, even though there’s nothing to dab. “So, what’s up with the book? Iris tells me you have a new concept. She’s happy you haven’t thrown in the towel altogether on writing something for her.”

I agonized over it but when I finally committed, it felt good. Really good. Much better than my previous idea ever felt. “I’m so psyched about this, Michaela. This time, instead of writing a book about jerky men, I’m writing about finding and keeping a good guy. Peppered throughout with my smart-ass perspective on dating and love, of course.”

Her eyes widen. “I like it. I can see plenty of dishy real talk mixed with a big dose of humor and empowerment.”

“Exactly!” I knew she’d get it. Michaela always gets it. “It’s about having self-respect, setting boundaries, communication, and practical stuff like navigating online dating and identifying potential landmines.”

She shakes her head. “Sounds like you’ve got all the bases covered.”

I do. And it feels damn good.

“I appreciate your support, Michaela. I never would have done this without your little pushes.”

She nods thoughtfully. “It’s my pleasure. I never had anyone to encourage me. It’s such a small thing, and yet so many people can’t be bothered with it. I’m happy to be here for you. Maybe you can pay it forward someday.”

“I do have a little request of you,” I say, hesitating to even ask.

The woman’s already done so much for me.

“What, Lucy? What do you need?”

I take a deep breath. “What do you think about writing the forward to the book for me? Only if it’s not an imposition, of course.”

Her eyes get watery and she places her hand on her chest. “Are you serious? What an honor. I’d love to.”

“Great,” I squeal, clapping my hands. “I’m thrilled. I’d like to see what you think of my next idea.”

“What’s that?” she asks, stirring her black tea.

My eating habits are so not like hers.

“I’m thinking of asking Tyler to write the book’s introduction. You know, to kind of provide the guy’s perspective.”

Michaela nods slowly. “I like that. I think that could work, you know, add a lot of credibility to the content.”

“Really? You think it’s an okay idea?”

She nods with more enthusiasm. “I do. It’s a very creative approach. I’m into it.”

Now I just have to talk Tyler into it.