CHAPTER 29 #2
“Not anymore. I mean, yes, it is until the end of the season, but after that, I’ll be an assistant coach at a Division-III school,” she said.
“College?”
“Yes. I know it’s not exactly the big leagues, but they’re local, and their head coach is going to retire in a year or two, so it’s possible I will get to take over, and maybe I can get a Division-I job after that.
I don’t know yet. Paige is already an amazing coach, though, and today was more of a scrimmage and a light workout than anything, so we thought it would be good practice for her and for the team to get used to her being in charge.
Also, I’m going to ask Paige to marry me, and I’ll need to quit the bookstore at the beginning of the year when the new job starts. ”
Maisie’s eyes went wide because that was a lot of information to take in all at once. She had only expected the part about Lainey asking Paige to marry her, which she had been waiting for, but Lainey having a new job and having to quit the shop was a lot for her to process.
“It’s college, and it’s full-time, so I won’t be able to work at the store on top of that. I wanted to tell you that I was interviewing, but I didn’t want to jinx it. Now that I’ve signed the letter and have a start date, though, it’s official.”
“Wow,” Maisie said and shook her head.
When her eyes landed on a familiar figure, she stopped for a second to take her in. India was sitting at a table across from Ava and someone else whom Maisie only knew because she was a celebrity.
“Hello? Maisie?”
“Huh?” she asked, looking back at her friend.
“I said I’m proposing. With this job, I feel a little bit better about our financial situation, and I can see Paige moving up into college soon, too. I’ve been saving for a ring, and I bought it. I’m going to ask her.”
“That’s amazing. I’m happy for you, Lainey.”
They talked about Lainey’s proposal plan and new job, but Maisie couldn’t help it: she was distracted by India’s presence.
She tried to celebrate all the good news with her friend, but later, as she watched India leave the bar, looking not at all happy, Maisie felt awful because she knew at least some of that was her fault.
◆◆◆
India Sheridan: If you need space, just tell me, and I’ll leave you alone, but I wanted to apologize for earlier today. I shouldn’t have just tried to step in and fix something for you. I didn’t mean it to come across that way, but I can understand how it probably felt to you. I’m sorry, Maise.
Maisie sat on her sofa and stared at the message, knowing she needed to reply and be honest with the woman she liked, so she sucked it up and typed.
Maisie Lincoln: It’s not your fault. It’s mine. I’m sorry I walked away today. I didn’t want to take my mood out on you.
Not long after she hit send, she saw the three dots, indicating that India was typing.
India Sheridan: But that’s part of it, right? When you’re dating someone, you take your mood out on them. Obviously, I don’t mean it like that. I meant that I should’ve let you vent and talk to me without trying to make it all better.
Maisie bit her lower lip and decided to be entirely honest, including about the fact that she had let India sit on the other side of the bar with her friends while she had sat there with Lainey and hadn’t even said hello to her.
Maisie Lincoln: I should confess something to you. I saw you at the bar tonight.
India Sheridan: Candace’s?
Maisie Lincoln: Yes, with Ava.
India Sheridan: Ava and her girlfriend. Or, at least, the supermodel she’s dating.
Maisie smiled because she hadn’t been jealous or worried that India had been with Ava as anything more than a friend, but India had clearly picked up on how she had been when she’d met Sophie at the same bar.
Maisie Lincoln: Yes, I saw her, too. I didn’t mean it like I thought you two were on a date or something. Just that I saw you, and I didn’t say anything.
India Sheridan: Why not?
Maisie Lincoln: Lainey wanted to go out to dinner to tell me something, and she suggested Candace’s because she likes their burgers. I didn’t think you’d be there.
India Sheridan: But that doesn’t explain why you didn’t come over, Maise.
Of course, India had caught her mild attempt at deflection. God, this woman might just be annoyingly perfect for her.
Maisie Lincoln: I know. I should have. I should’ve just invited you. Lainey told me to, but I’m not great at this.
India Sheridan: At what?
Maisie knew she’d already messed up once that day by walking away, and now, she was texting India when, really, she needed to put her big-girl pants on and just talk to her. So, she dialed.
“Hi,” India said softly.
“At relationships,” Maisie confessed. “I’m not great at relationships.”
“Why do you think that?”
“Because I have a hard time asking for help. I have a hard time telling someone that I need something, and I think you like to help people.”
“I do.” India chuckled. “I have been told recently that I am a fixer.”
“I don’t need a fixer, India,” she said quietly.
“I know. I didn’t mean to suggest that you do. It’s just my first impulse to help when I can, and today, I felt like it was my fault.”
“It’s not, though. They are Colter’s actions.”
“I know. But he’s my brother, and it’s my stupid parking garage.”
“Did you really stop them from trying to buy Chapter & Verse before you even met me?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“A few reasons. Most of them are business or PR-related, so it wasn’t as romantic as you might think it is.”
“Most of them?”
“Yes,” India told her. “I love New Orleans, too, Maisie. I love it for its history and culture, and I don’t want to see it disappear any more than you do.”
“I just needed to think today.”
“I know. I get it now.”
“But I should’ve invited you to dinner with us,” Maisie added.
“And I could’ve invited you to meet Stephania.”
“Maybe,” Maisie said.
“Maise, are we still…”
“Yes, if you–”
“Yes,” India interjected. “Yeah. I still want–”
“Then, yes.” Maisie laughed. “We’re still… whatever we were.”
“Can we identify that a little more?” India asked with a chuckle. “I… can I come over there, or you come over here. I want to see you.”
“I can come over there.”
“Pack a bag. Let’s just talk and fall asleep. I really want to hold you, Maisie.”
“I’d really, really love that,” Maisie replied, knowing just how true that statement was now.