SAM   I call mom as soon as I land. Mike’s jet is luxurious and I am pampered by the attendant even just for two hours. I sit on one of the adjustable spacious plush chairs. The jet has cozy leather couches, and of course, a modern and spacious bathroom, and a lot bigger than the bathroom in my house. I wish I have more than a two-hour flight because I’d love to avail myself of one of the cabins and the master suite. As soon as I step down the jet’s stairways, I feel empty. I missed Phoenix, but I have to let him stay with his mom. I don’t want to be selfish to let him come with me when I know he needs to be there. “Sam!” Mom yells my name, carrying a placard with my name written in a black marker. I roll my eyes because I can’t believe she does that. “Hey, mom. You have time to do that.” I kiss her cheek. “Have a safe way home, Ms. Anderson,” Phil says who helps me with my luggage to Mom’s car com

SAM   Three months Post-Phoenix… “Babe, text me before you go down the lobby, okay?” Tyler says. Yes, you hear it right. After seeing that photo of Phoenix with Gabrielle all over the gossips sites and tabloids, I don’t need an explanation. It was clear that he cheated on me. Amy, Maya, and Garrett tried hard to explain that I should hear it from Phoenix, himself, but it was obvious that they were back together. I was expecting to see him at Garrett and Maya’s wedding, but he didn’t show up—he just sent a gift for them. I changed my phone number and I quitted my job at the coffee shop the same day I found out about his betrayal. We didn’t talk at all or bother to contact each other in any way possible. That was it, after our night together in the hotel that night, it ended there.

SAM   “A-Abby?” Stuttering, I swallow hard. They are the last people I want to see right now. This can’t be a coincidence. Did they happen to own this nightclub too? I’m such a stupid. Of course, they pretty own everything. “Sam!” Her face lights up like a Christmas tree. She launches on me that makes me stumble a few steps back and squeezes me so tight in a hug. “I can’t believe you’re here! You’re really here, and I’m not dreaming, am I, Sam?” she continues mumbling I missed you, good to see you again blah blah blah. I’m so shocked to even say a word. “God, you look gorgeous! Why won’t you come with me.” She grabs my hand, but I manage to pull it back. “Um, I'm sorry Abby, but I can’t. I have friends waiting for me. They’re probably wondering what took me so long,” I reply and feel bad at the same time. She’s really a good person, but I’m not yet ready to face his family. He and Abby are

SAM   “Thanks, Howard!” I thank the driver Anna sent to pick me up. There’s only one meaning to this—I can’t turn down that invitation. So, here I am wearing a blue dress with my black high heels to add four inches to my five foot four inches height, and I spent an hour just to fix my hair. The Williams and King are all gigantic, and I look like a dwarf when I’m standing beside them. I am still a little bit shaken after reading the letter Tyler left for me, and I read it a couple of times just to make sure I understand every word because I can’t believe he just left like that without waking me up or talking to me about our problems. He doesn’t break up with me though—he’s just giving me some space to figure out if I still have feelings for Phoenix, and if I’m really ready to start a relationship. “Oh, darling, Samantha!” I halt and back from my zoning out to Anna’s voice who is marching toward my d

SAM   “Margaux, I got the manuscripts ready, emails sent to the following writers, and pages online is updated. Anything else you want to add for today?” I inform her over the phone. My boss is a forty-five-year-old divorcee with a son already a freshman in college. She’s an easy goer, never been a bitch to any of her co-workers that’s why I am so lucky to be a part of these amazing people, and I love my job so much. “Enough for today, Sam. I’m on my way back with the boss from the meeting with the new co-owner of publishing, and his team is already waiting in the lobby. See you in five minutes,” she answers and sounds a little bit nervous and excited at the same time. “Oh, I see. Can I do something?” So, it was true about the selling of Mr. Gilbert’s share. “Thanks, Sam!” I stand up from my chair to check for Sandy, and she’s busy talking with someone over the phone. She’s biting the tip of her pen and sp