Page 28 of Someone to Have

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“Or like when Buttercup and Wesley made it out of the Fire Swamp,” Molly adds.

Sloane laughs softly and rolls her eyes. “Not actual woods, you guys.” She winks. “I wanted to wait to give an update until you got here, Taylor.”

“I’m here,” I confirm like she doesn’t already know that.

“I’m sorry I ghosted everyone the past couple weeks. It’s been rougher than I expected, and I let my emotions get the best of me.”

“You’re allowed to do that,” I assure her.

She adjusts the turban. “Yeah, but I can’t kick the Big C’s ass if I’m spending all my time being a sad sack.”

Molly dips her head close to mine. “The cutest and bravest sad sack we know.”

“Sloane, it’s so good to see you.” My heart is expanding inside my chest. “No matter what kind of sack you are. Does this mean you’re coming home soon?”

Her smile tightens. “Hopefully. The doctors want to confirm I’m stable enough to have my follow-up treatmenttransferred to Denver.” She huffs out a small laugh. “My brother is still being an ass and insisting I hop on his private jet to Nashville for every appointment.” The smile fades. “I need to get home and back to the bookstore.”

“Don’t worry about anything here,” Iris says. “We’ve got your back no matter how long it takes. Connie is doing a great job.”

“Although she’s not you,” Molly adds. “We miss you, Sloane.”

She smiles again, or tries to, but it falters. “I sent another email to Kristen Quinn, telling her how much her book inspired us and how our bucket list club is helping me feel not so alone during this time.”

“Did she respond this time?” Sadie asks.

Sloane has a habit of reaching out to authors she loves—at least their publishers and agents. The last book we read was written by the famous mystery writer Spencer Charles, who turned out to be the pen name for Iris’s boyfriend, Jake. A heck of a story, given that she picked the book. I’m sure they would have ended up together no matter what, but it felt a little bit like destiny.

Having him come to our book club made it all the more special. In retrospect, anyway. At the time, none of us knew Jake was writing the books, and it didn’t exactly go over well with Iris. But now it’s part of the lore of their love story. And I have a feeling Sloane believes connecting with the author ofThe Year of Losing It, the book that inspired the start of the bucket list, could be just as important.

“Nothing but a generic response from her publisher. I DMd her, too. I’ve been stalking her social media, so I know she’s traveling a lot.”

“I’m sure you’ll eventually hear from her,” Sadie offers.

Avah gives a disgusted snort. I don’t think Sloane hears it, but Molly nudges our outspoken friend before she can talk crap about Kristen Quinn. Avah has been the least impressed with the author of the memoir-slash-personal-development book that has become so important to Sloane.

Before things get too off track, I lean closer to the camera. “I have news on my bucket list goal.”

A hush falls over the group, and I can almost feel them making eye contact with each other behind me.

“Oh, yay!” Sloane claps her hands at the camera, not a trace of judgment or doubt in her clear blue eyes.

I’m happy she’s happy, and appreciate that none of my friends have let it slip how miserably I failed at my first attempt to overcome my shyness and stage fright. “I hoped to have something to report before the holidays but got a little off track,” I admit.

Sloane offers a slow nod. “Same, girl, same.”

Her understanding bolsters my confidence. “I’m going to do something big—at least for me. I want to make this count, you know?”

“I appreciate that,” our friend says, offering a thumbs-up through the camera.

I clear my throat because it feels like a bird’s nest is lodged inside it. “I’m trying out for a role in the community theater’s newest production.”

“The fuck you are,” Avah blurts.

I turn and meet her gaze. “No, really. I am. That’s the plan, anyway.”

“Are you sure you want to bite off something that public?” Molly asks gently. I see her pinch the back of Avah’s arm to discourage more colorful commentary.

“Molly might have a point,” Sadie agrees.