“Actually, I just started my own business!” My voice was chipper, my smile so wide the edges of my lips felt like they could touch my ears. “I’ve always wanted to strike out on my own. I love getting my hands dirty and being involved in all parts of designing a space. Helping people realize that their decor can really be a bigger reflection of who they are and what they love.”

“Girl!” Jenna’s hands flew up in the air in delighted surprise. “That’s amazing!”

“Thanks,” I said, and for a moment I felt wildly bold and self-assured, as if I were really doing this and not telling a lie on TV. “I just finished a job with a bathroom I’m obsessed with. It’s amazing what some truly great wallpaper can do to transform a room, especially one that’s mostly used for—you know.”

Thank god I somehow managed to stop myself before I said “pooping” on live TV.

“So what’s your website?” Jenna asked excitedly. “Where can we find you?”

“Um.” My brain stalled, frenzied. Because I did not have a website. I did not have clients, or a business. That bathroom with the great wallpaper was from that job I’d done for James over three years ago.

I gulped. What the hell had I just done?

“FrannyDoyle…” I was reaching for something. Anything. “Design…dot-com.” Great job, Franny. Very creative.

Pete gave me a congratulatory nod. “Well, we wanted to get the opinion of someone who knows you well, and so we’ve got a special commentator to give us thoughts on your adorable subway meet-cute.”

He waved at a video screen that hung overhead. “Joining us live on satellite is Franny’s mom, Diane.”

“Oh my fucking god,” I muttered through clenched teeth.

“Hi, honey!” my mom said with a wave, her salt-and-pepper hair tucked back with a thick blue headband. “You two look so nice together.”

She was in her kitchen, which was covered in the same floral wallpaper that had hung there since I was in middle school.

“Mom, hi!” I said with a goofy wave, trying not to let any of the horror I felt seep onto my face. Out of the corner of my eye, I caught a quick look at Hayes, who was gazing at me with a face that was all sympathy.

Jenna turned to my mom’s giant pixelated head. “You must be so proud of Franny, starting her own business after all of this, and finding success right off the bat.”

“I am. She’s my only kid, and I always worry, because that’s what moms do. So this is great news. Your own business!” The glee was evident in her voice. The relief too.

“And what do you think, Diane—are they cute together or what?” asked Pete, his white teeth flashing.