Page 104 of Fauxmance

I gave her a nod. "A little daring can be a good thing. I've heard well-behaved women rarely make history."

Her head cocked. "Is that what you want? To make history?"

"No," I said. "I mean, I'd love to do something that would make the world a better place. Cure cancer, stop world hunger, figure out a way to make people less hateful and more kind. But the little things matter, too. I just want to make someone else's life better. I don't need anyone to write about it."

"That's what you say now, Magnolia," she said, "but people enjoy the spotlight. They crave recognition. It's human nature."

Shaking my head, remembering the online comments from today, I said, "Pretty sure I've had enough of the spotlight to last a lifetime."

She raised a brow.

I took a sip of my tea.

"But what do you want to be? Do you have any dreams or aspirations?"

"Well," I said, feeling a blush stain my cheeks, "I do love weddings. It may sound silly, especially to you, but I think I'd like being a wedding planner."

"That doesn't sound silly," she said. "It's the best profession there is."

"I agree. I'm also really passionate about charitable work. So maybe if I could find a way to marry the two..." Constance chuckled, and I realized a moment later that I'd made a joke. "No pun intended," I added.

"How would you do that?"

"I did have an idea, but it's not fully-formed or anything." She gestured for me to go on. "Well, if there was a non-profit that worked with a network of wedding-based services, bakers, boutiques, venues, caterers etc., and they all agreed to donate their services to weddings for the underprivileged, it might make the world a happier place. I mean, everyone, rich or poor, deserves to have an amazing wedding day."

Constance gave a nod. "Yes, but what would be in it for the companies?"

"Good karma for one," I said. "Maybe some tax right-offs. Also a ton of good press, which would bring in more business." I tilted my head. "But do you think they'd need to get something?"

"In my experience," she said dryly, "mankind rarely does anything just for the sake of being kind."

"I think a lot of people want to do good," I said. "They just need an opportunity."

"A lot of people don't know what they want," she replied.

"If even one person breathes easier because of me, then I'll have fulfilled my purpose."

"Ah," she said, "beautiful words."

"They were my father's," I said quietly. "He used to say that to us all the time. I don't know why I thought of them now."

"Is he still around?"

I shook my head. "No, he passed away several years ago from cancer."

"I'm so sorry," she said. "I wasn't aware."

"That's okay," I said, even though it wasn't. Saying it never got easier no matter how much time had gone by. "My dad was beautiful. So many lives breathed easier because of him. It's…still hard, not having him here."

Constance nodded. "I know what you mean."

We stared at each other for a moment, and I could see that she did know.

"Family is important," she said. "I have to look out for mine. You understand that, right, Magnolia?"

"Of course."

"It's my duty as Hayden's grandmother to look out for his best interests. He's special like I said and very dear to me."

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