Up to Date (Better Date than Never Book 8) by Susan Hatler

isn’t rational. It’s passionate, warm, and vibrant—like you. Maybe it’s time that you accept that you’re fabulous and stand up for yourself.”
    He thought I was all those things? That I was fabulous?
    He did. I could see it in his eyes. Hear it in his voice. And suddenly I was filled with confidence. Maybe my décor and personality wouldn’t suit everyone’s tastes, but if my clients, like Greg, loved it, that’s all that should matter.
    “You’re right.” I stood, everything fiber of my being tightening like a fist. “It’s way past time that I stood on my own. Thanks, Greg.”
    “Anytime.” He guided me to the door. “That’s what friends are for. Just because we’re not dating doesn’t mean I won’t be here for you.”
    My stomach warmed, and a comforting feeling washed over me. Then I realized what time it was. “You work tonight. Why aren’t you sleeping?”
    “This is important to you.” He slipped his hands into his pockets, a dimple forming in his cheek. “Don’t worry, I’ll nap later.”
    “Thank you.” I gazed up at him, hoping he knew how much I meant by those two little words. Even though I’d blown this photo shoot, he still had faith in my artistic ability. He still had faith in me .
    Thank goodness Jenna was giving me a second chance with this article. Now, I needed to impress her more than ever—by being true to myself.
    ****
    My mom knocked on our front door promptly at six o’clock Tuesday evening, exactly when I’d asked her to arrive. I pulled open the door, which hadn’t been locked. Sigh. No matter how many times I asked my sister to think about safety, she still refused to listen to me.
    “What’s wrong?” Mom strode in, removing her white blazer. “You said this was important. Did you find a new job?”
    “No.” I shut the front door, then gestured toward the couch where Mary Ann already sat with her feet propped up on the coffee table. “Thank you both for coming.”
    Mary Ann huffed. “I don’t get why I have to be here.”
    “You will.” I glanced over, and saw her picking at a hangnail. “Can’t you wait and do that in the bathroom? Gross.”
    Mom gaped at us. “What’s going on, Ginger? You’re going to give me a heart attack.”
    At the words “heart attack,” the air left my lungs and my mind flashed to Greg’s den photo of his dad and him. I could still see the pain written all over his face as he’d told me how his dad had died. And here I’d thought he’d had the perfect childhood. Wrong.
    I paced the area rug, my stomach bubbling with nausea as I fought my instincts to keep my mouth shut. I loved my mom and sister, needed to confess how I really felt, but I hated the thought of upsetting them. Even though it wasn’t logical, part of me wanted to keep everything smooth, and not risk hurting them. Not risk pushing them over the edge like my dad had gone.
    Taking a deep breath, I stopped. “I have something to say to both of you.”
    “We’re all ears.” Mary Ann directed her gaze at me. “But make it snappy please. I have a date tonight with a guy I met at the gym.”
    My head tilted. “What happened to Liam?”
    “Nothing.” She adjusted her feet on the coffee table. “He’s nice, but you know me.”
    “Yes, I do.” My voice tightened. “And we’re going to address that, too.”
    “Ginger, your tone.” Mom straightened her spine. “What’s come over you?”
    I swiveled, and faced her. “Basically, you crushed my dreams.”
    “How did I do that?” Mary Ann’s pretty face scrunched into a pout.
    “Not you.” I nodded toward Mom. “That comment was directed at Mom. I blew my decorating project today, and almost lost a huge jumpstart to my business. Luckily she’s giving me another chance.”
    Her brows furrowed. “How is this my responsibility? I told you to send out your résumés and diversify.”
    “Exactly.” I propped my hands on my hips, striking a pose that reminded me of Mary Ann. “After I told