Page 35 of Winning Match
“Promise.”
We hang up and I wander over to the window in the sitting room. Glancing at the cityscape, I press my fingertips to the windowpanes and smile.
For the first time in a long time, I feel empowered. Motivated. Happy. The fact that it took my boyfriend cheating on me and knowledge of the family business tanking to achieve that result isn’t lost on me.
I must be losing it.
Or finding something better.
A bubble of laughter forms in the pit of my stomach and soon, I’m doubled over, hysterics wrapping around me. My chest heaves and tears pinch the corners of my eyes, but the release is cathartic.
As my giggles die down, I pull in a breath and try to regulate my breathing.
I’m going to be okay. Everything is fine. In fact, I like this version of myself. Valencia Marlowe is a hell of a lot more fun than Providence Marlowe.
Once I’m coherent, I dial my bank. When I’m informed that my Prescott Sail business account does not have sufficient funds to fund my life for the next ten weeks, I’m not surprised.
Instead, I’m grateful that I saved a healthy amount of my paycheck over the past few years and nearly all my summer earnings before I graduated college. It’s enough money to cover my time in Spain if I’m smart. And I’m nothing if not savvy, reliable, and determined.
Now, I just need to find a place to live, and I can start shaping a life for myself here. One that fits the new version I’d like to grow into.
As if conjured up by the law of attraction, when I disconnect from the bank—with my personal debit and credit cards available to use in Spain—there’s a stream of new messages waiting for me.
Unknown
Buenas, Chica!
Are you hungover? Still sleeping?
Oops, sorry, It’s B.
Bianca. From the club last night?!
Anyway, I hear you’re staying in town for a while
It was obvious Ale wasn’t going to let you slip away.
I’ve never seen him so into a woman before.
So exciting!!
Any chance you’re looking for a roommate?
I laugh, shaking my head in disbelief. I’ve spent years trying to salvage college friendships that faded. Seeking new friendships that always seemed to allude me. I’ve always struggled to make girlfriends, save for Hazel and the Sewing Circle, and now, here, in the span of twenty-four hours, I’ve met a kindred spirit in Bianca DiBlanco. We just…clicked.
Without bothering to message back, I press on her number and call her.
“Hi!” she answers enthusiastically.
“Hey!” I grin. “Thanks for messaging. How’d you get my number?”
She snorts. “I made my brother call Ale. He didn’t want to hand it over until Luca swore it was for me to reach out to you. You should see Luca this morning. He’s been hugging the toilet since he stumbled from bed. He sounds so terrible that I think Ale felt bad for him and wanted to make sure I stopped pestering him.”
“That sucks,” I say sympathetically.
“He asked for it,” she replies matter-of-factly. “What are you doing right now? Want to meet for a walk?”
“A walk?”
