Page 15 of The Mouse and the Maestro

“Anyway,” Jane said, returning her attention to Emily, “I want to get this assignment over with and move on with my life.Nothing is going to come of it, and I’ve already made a fool of myself. Repeatedly.”

“How do you know nothing is going to come of it?” Emily asked. “This guy could be the love of your life.”

“Pardon me, hello, genuine love of her life sitting right here. College sweetheart, remember? Do ten years of off and on dating mean nothing to you people?” Nick said, but they ignored him.

“I barely know him,” Jane said. “I mean, he’s cute and funny and sweet and smart and has a totally cool funky vibe that intrigues me, but otherwise I barely know him.”

“Basically you like everything about him, but you’re scared to put yourself out there because you’re Jane.”

“Should I leave money on the nightstand for that analysis, Doctor?” Jane asked.

Emily grinned. “That was a freebie, but you can buy me dinner tonight, if you like.”

“Let’s get pizza,” Nick piped up.

“If we’re going out, I need to shower,” Emily said, scooting from beneath Jane. When she was safely out of the room, Nick set aside his book and gathered Jane into his lap.

“Let’s make out,” he suggested.

“No,” Jane said.

“Why not?”

“Because you’ve cheated on me three times with three different people. My psychiatrist made me see returning to you is a form of self-harm, a fear I’ll never find anyone better, a pull toward the familiar.”

“Stupid Emily,” he muttered.

“She’s not wrong, you know. You and I, we’re better off as friends, due to your complete faithlessness as a boyfriend. I’ve finally accepted that, and I no longer hate you for hurting me.”

“I love you, Jane, you know I do.”

“I do, in fact, know that.”

“And because I love you, I’m about to impart a painful truth on you: You’re a complete coward, and you shouldn’t be. If you like this guy, total loser though I’m sure he is, then you should go for it. Put yourself out there. Stop hiding. Show him the real Jane. If you do, I promise you’ll blow him away.”

“How do you know I’m hiding?” she asked.

“Because I know you, and I love you, now kiss me quick before Emily comes back.”

“Oh, no,” Jane said.

“What?”

“You and Emily were making out before I got home. That’s why you were sitting so far apart pretending to read. And now you’re scared and trying to deflect your attraction to her.”

“I should not be this easy to read,” Nick said.

“Please, Nick, please don’t do the thing. Don’t hurt Emily. There’s enough heartbreak in the world. Be lovely, be genuine, be the guy I know you actually are deep, deep,deepdown inside. Please.” She clasped her hands together under her chin.

“I’ll try. No promises.” He kissed her forehead and let her go. She eased off his lap and picked up Emily’s book, not at all sure how she felt about the possibility of her two best friends getting together. What if they forgot her in their mad desire to be together? Worse, what if they broke up and couldn’t stand to be together?

“When do we get to meet the guy?” Nick asked.

“He’s picking me up tomorrow morning. Please be nice and normal. He is not my boyfriend. He merely has the unfortunate luck to be my crush, and you know from experience what that’s like.”

“Yeah, but I also know the end result, and it’s pretty great, Jane.” He reached out and squeezed her hand.

“I should probably go pack,” she said.

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