Her Best Friend's Brother(29)

Upstairs Libby told herself she was thankful that Tony had left. She reminded herself of her resolution to move forward with her life. She did not sit around dweling on how she had felt with Tony’s eyes on her legs and bottom for the past hour. Wel not much.





Chapter Ten


It was easy faling back into school. Suzy was bubbling with how wonderful her summer had been, and how she had gotten back together with her high school boyfriend. Accounting wasn’t quite as bad as she had remembered. And of course the Florida weather was a plus.

Keeping her resolution to move forward with her life Libby set out to realy enjoy colege life. She accepted dates, and went to parties. Not that she let her studies slide, but she didn’t feel as if she was being left behind either. Not realy.

Brian flushed a toilet—he says the water just dumps straight down. Something about the way the Australian toilets are shaped. Sorry to disappoint you

-L-

I’m not disappointed. I bet he is just pulling your leg. I choose to stand strong in my backwards flushing toilet beliefs.

-t-

They are letting my take over Sarah Kendall’s column while she is on maternity leave. This is a big deal.

Halloween at the office was great. I was Clark Kent

-t-

Congrats! Send me copies!

I was a pirate wench—the accent was fun.

-L-

I haven’t been home for Thanksgiving turkey in a while. I am pretty excited. When are you getting home?

-t-

Mom and Stuart are going away for Thanksgiving.

I am glad— she doesn’t take many vacations. I am going to New York to see Mel.

-l-

My mom got married!!! She came home from Thanksgiving married! They eloped in Las Vegas--so weird. I like Stuart and all—I just can’t believe they did it in Vegas! It is too romantic for grownups.

-L-

Wow. Stuart’s pretty cool. He was my little league coach you know. I bet they are happy. I am sure it is weird for you.

I heard Mel scorched the turkey! Serves you right for abandoning me in Lindstown. If you want to talk you can call me.

-T-

We missed you at Christmas Lib. I wish you had mentioned that you were staying at school to take a winter class. I have a little vacation time coming up—I was thinking of spending it in Florida. What do you think?

-t-

“Hi Tony.” Libby was sitting in her dorm room. She had picked up her phone as soon as she saw his name flashing on the caler ID.

“Libby! You wil never guess. I mean I had almost given up on sending it out… But I’m nothing if not persistent…”

“Tony! You are starting to remind me of Mel.” Libby smiled into the phone. She had missed his voice. He was coming for a visit next week and Libby couldn’t wait.

She had a list as long as her arm of things she wanted to show him.

“Sorry, Lib.” Tony drew a deep breath. “I got an agent.”

“For your book? That’s amazing. Wow. I told you it was good.”

“I know you have been realy great. You are the only one I have told you know. I’m stil not teling anyone—not until I get a publisher. But an agent is a huge start. He is realy optimistic, and he has already hooked me up with an editor in the city. I am going to meet with her next week.”

“Next week?”

“I know Lib. That’s one of the reasons I am caling. I have to cancel my trip. I don’t want to, but I only get so much vacation time. And I think it would be better spent working with my editor. My editor can you believe it?”

“Of course it’s fine. Great actualy. I am super happy for you.” Stupid book! Her whole week was ruined. Except it wasn’t a stupid book. It was very good and Tony was a great writer.

and Tony was a great writer.

“I knew you’d understand. Libby-- I don’t deserve friends like you. Mr. Carson, Jack, he’s the agent.

I sent him a bunch of sample stuff in addition to the manuscript and he likes it al. He agrees with me about Isaac Raines being the strongest character. I am already outlining a few stories. I told you about Isaac right?”

“Umm No.”

“He’s a detective. A real wrong-place-wrong-time kind of a guy. Think John McClain only less pissy.”

“John McClain is not pissy!” Libby loved the Die Hard movies.

“Missing the point here Lib.” Tony was laughing at her.

“Oh right. Sorry. Okay tel me al about your editor, and about you’re the new book.”

They talked late into the night. Tony was so excited. And he should be. This was a huge deal, but stil Libby felt sad. She hated feeling jealous. But she had to admit, if only to herself, that she was actualy very jealous.

Of a book. Wel not realy of the book—it just seemed like she was stuck in a holding pattern. Al around her people were doing things, making futures. And she was just happy to get a passing grade in accounting.