Her Best Friend's Brother by T. Dell (read the beginning after the end novel .TXT) 📕

-t-

Congrats! Send me copies!

I was a pirate wench—the accent was fun.

-L-

I haven’t been home for Thanksgiving turkey in awhile. I am pretty excited. When are you gettinghome?

-t-

Mom and Stuart are going away for Thanksgiving.

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

-l-

My mom got married!!! She came home fromThanksgiving married! They eloped in Las Vegas--soweird. I like Stuart and all—I just can’t believe they didit in Vegas! It is too romantic for grownups.

-L-

Wow. Stuart’s pretty cool. He was my little leaguecoach you know. I bet they are happy. I am sure it isweird for you.

I heard Mel scorched the turkey! Serves you rightfor abandoning me in Lindstown. If you want to talkyou can call me.

-T-

We missed you at Christmas Lib. I wish you hadmentioned that you were staying at school to take awinter class. I have a little vacation time coming up—Iwas thinking of spending it in Florida. What do youthink?

-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. Myeditor 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.

Mel had just signed a deal with a boutique in SoHo. (Because when you live in New York you do things like go to boutiques in SoHo). She was going to be offering Marchetti Designs in women’s dress shops. Apparently women are the ones buying men’s accessories anyway.

John and Parker were looking at medical and law schools.

Suzy spent most of her nights at her boyfriend’s apartment these days and was beginning to hint at an engagement.

Even boring Brian and his boring girlfriend were having the time of their lives in Australia. Dependable old Libby was just plodding along towards a business degree.

Tmarchetti: You there?

Libby thriled at the ping of the chat window on her computer screen.

Libbylibbylibby: I was just finishing a paper, yeah I’m here.

Tmarchetti: I had a meeting with my agent in the city today. I ate dinner at Mel’s. Have you talked to her lately?

Libbylibbylibby: Not in a couple of weeks actualy.

She’s so busy. Is everything okay with her?

Tmarchetti: She’s fine. Can I cal you?

Libbylibbylibby: of course.

“Helo?” Libby was starting to get worried. She should have caled Mel to catch up. But school had been crazy lately.

“Hey. Lib.” Tony sounded strange.

“What’s going on?”

“So I was in the city today. And I was at Mel, and John’s place. And Parker stopped by.”

“Okay. What’s going on Tony?”

“Libby he had a girl with him. And I didn’t know if you knew or what the deal was, but you should know. And you are a thousand times prettier—if that helps. I can’t imagine what he’s thinking.”

“Tony! Are you trying to warn me that Parker has a new girlfriend? Her name is Penny. I’ve met her. I like her.” Geez! Here, she had been worried and here it was just his overprotective brother routine.

“So you two aren’t together anymore?”

“No. We never were. Not realy. Just a few dates and a great friendship. Seriously my heart is intact. But thanks for worrying about me that was sweet.”

“You weren’t together!” Anger laced through Tony’s voice. “That’s not what it looked like when you were sharing a wardrobe with him last summer!”

“At the risk of repeating myself—Parker and I are just friends.” Libby tired to keep her voice even. This was none of his business.

“So you were what? Friends-with-benefits? A way to pass time when he was in