Total pages in book: 93
Estimated words: 87988 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 440(@200wpm)___ 352(@250wpm)___ 293(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 87988 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 440(@200wpm)___ 352(@250wpm)___ 293(@300wpm)
I stop, really considering the question. It might be the first time in my life I have to take a moment. Because the answer for two decades was always absolutely not. But now . . . I shrug. “Maybe?”
Dr. Sterling picks up her pen, scribbles a note in her notepad. “That’s good. Progress. You’ve been let down by more than one person you placed your trust in—your mother, a teacher. It will take time to open yourself up, to allow yourself to trust someone new.”
“But how do I fix something I didn’t break?”
Dr. Sterling smiles warmly. “You’re already doing it. You’re here, and we’re talking about it. Acknowledging you’ve been hurt is the first step, and it’s a big one. You’re doing great, Elizabeth.”
I’m nervous. But it’s a different kind of nervous than I’ve been plagued with this last year. These nerves are the good kind, anticipation instead of dread. I can’t remember the last time I looked forward to a date. Is tonight even a date? I’m not sure. But I’ve shaved my legs and have on lacy panties—not that I’m certain I’ll be having sex, but a girl can never be too prepared, and, well, old habits die hard.
My buzzer rings at ten till eight. For once, my heart races with excitement. I push the button for the intercom to make sure it’s him, then open the downstairs door lock remotely and check my face in the bathroom mirror.
It’s just a date, Elizabeth.
Relax.
A minute later, there’s a soft knock on my apartment door. I take a deep breath before wiping my palms on my pants and opening it.
He smiles. “Hey.”
“Hi, Noah.”
CHAPTER
46
Noah
One hour earlier
Ireally think readers are going to love this as much as I do. I can already see this sitting on The New York Times list.”
“Oh yeah? Well, if it does, you’ll have to let me take you out to celebrate.”
“The team would love that.”
“Was kinda thinking it could be just me and you, darlin’.”
My editor blushes. “How long are you in town?”
“Just a few days. I’m visiting an old friend.”
“Do you come to New York often?”
“I think I’m going to be here a lot in the foreseeable future. I have some business to take care of.” I look at my watch. “Speaking of which, I should get going.”
Rena stands and extends a hand. “I’m really glad I got to meet you in person.”
I take it but lift it to my mouth, drop a kiss on the top. “Not as glad as I am.”
She walks me out to the lobby, to the revolving door at the front entrance. “I almost forgot to ask—at the end of the book, the protagonist finds her notebook in her mom’s house. So it was her mother sending the chapters all along?”
I wink. “Maybe . . . or maybe the antagonist was a really good liar and wanted revenge for the twenty years of suffering his mother went through after her husband was killed and she found his journals.”
Rena laughs. “You’re really not going to tell me?”
“Gotta keep you curious so you’ll want to read book two.”
“Will you at least give me a hint about what’s going to happen? With the new ending, I’m sure readers will be curious whether the son gets together with his father’s old victim or he’s just seeking revenge.”
I smile. “That remains to be determined.”
She laughs. “You authors are so secretive.”
“That we are . . . that we are.”
It’s a beautiful afternoon, so I decide to walk to pick up my date. I stop at a florist and grab a bundle of wildflowers, then pop into a liquor store for a bottle of wine. My cell phone rings two blocks from my destination. It’s a local number, so I answer, thinking it could be her.
“Hello?”
“Hi, is this Noah Sawyer?”
“It is indeed.”
“This is Helena Esme from Saint Paul’s Church. I work in the office.”
“What can I do for you, Ms. Esme?”
“Well, first I want to say thank you for your donation. It arrived today, and it’s absolutely beautiful. Our parishioners are in for a treat.”
“I’m glad you think so. Someone special to me visited your church a few weeks ago, and I’m hoping she comes back and gets to see it. It’ll be sort of a surprise. Saint Agnes has a special meaning to her, and I think she’s really going to appreciate it.”
“I’m sure she will. And I personally love it. All the staff feels the same. We’re excited to put it on display for everyone to enjoy. That’s actually why I’m calling. Would it be all right if we put your name on a small plaque on the base of the statue? We like to put the donor’s name as a thank-you when we receive such generous gifts.”
“That’s very kind, but I prefer to keep the donations I make to the church anonymous. I’m not looking for attention.”