Total pages in book: 71
Estimated words: 68864 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 344(@200wpm)___ 275(@250wpm)___ 230(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 68864 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 344(@200wpm)___ 275(@250wpm)___ 230(@300wpm)
My phone buzzes and I grab it out of my pocket, relieved to see a text from Penny. Parking now. Be there in 5.
Relief hits me like a lungful of air. I choose the heart emoji on her message and turn to Derek. “Penny’s here. Go out and meet her at the door so she can come back.”
Derek frowns at me. He learned about this new girl in my life when I told him I couldn’t join him for dinner since I had my date at Clementine’s. Then I told him I wanted a ticket for Penny to come, but he told me there weren’t any more. I told him to figure a way to get her in here and he said he’d try. I told him don’t try, do, because if she’s not here, I’m not going out there. That led to a discussion about Penny with Derek asking about her, but he didn’t seem overly interested in my answers. Which is no bother on me. Derek’s a friend and my agent, but he’s not a confidant.
“You can’t afford distractions right now,” Derek says cautiously. “I mean… I know you know this, but it bears repeating. This is the biggest launch of your career. We’re talking late-night TV, big press, interviews with people who’ve never even read a romance in their life but love a good tagline. You need to keep your head in the game.”
I look over to him in question. “You think Penny’s a distraction?”
“I think she’s… timing.” He gestures vaguely toward the door, where the hum of the crowd filters through. “And the timing’s not great. You’re about to go from small-town secret to national spotlight. I just don’t want to see you screw this up.”
I cross my arms, voice even but firm. “I can handle both. I’m not letting one good thing cancel out another.”
“Sam.” His tone softens, but the concern stays. “I’ve seen this happen before. You get caught up, the career momentum stalls, the personal stuff implodes, and next thing you know, I’m chasing you down for deadlines while you’re writing poetry about heartbreak.”
My jaw tightens. “You done?”
He exhales through his nose. “I’m just saying—don’t let yourself get knocked off track.”
“You’re my agent.” I nod toward the door. “I depend on you to handle that shit out there. But you don’t get to tell me what I can or can’t handle, Derek. Or who I can or can’t see. You’re not my keeper.”
Derek’s eyes flare and he holds up his hands in surrender. “All right. Message received. I hope you understand that I’m just advocating for you?”
“I do.” I sigh. “And I appreciate your concern. But you have enough to worry about with the contracts and press releases. I’ll handle my life.”
For a second, we stare at each other, the air tight between us. Then Derek sighs, that fond, resigned look creeping back into his expression. “Fine. Just don’t go getting all Nicholas Sparks on me. We’ve got deadlines.”
“Noted,” I say, and though I try to keep my face neutral, I can’t quite stop the smirk tugging at my mouth. “Now, will you please go get Penny? You won’t be able to miss her. Stunning redhead with green eyes.”
“On it,” he says.
“And Derek,” I say, waiting for him to look back at me. “Be nice.”
“I’ll be… how do you yokels say it out here… sweet as pie.”
Then he’s gone and I’m alone again—just me and the steady thud of a nervous pulse in my ears.
I sneak another glance out at the table, trying to imagine chatting with readers and not sounding like an idiot. And not for the first time I wonder if this was the right call. I love this world I’ve built, these characters, this life on paper. I’ve been well served by anonymity. But out here? It feels too precarious.
The door creaks open again, and Derek steps in—with Penny right behind him.
My pulse immediately steadies.
She’s wearing a pale blue dress that hits just above the knee, crimson hair down in soft waves, cheeks flushed from the rush of being late. For a second, I forget about the crowd outside because I’m dazzled. She smiles when she sees me, and that one look is enough to pull the ground out from under my feet.
“Hey,” she says, warm and breathless. “Sorry—I practically jogged from the parking garage. There are people everywhere.”
“Don’t apologize,” I murmur, crossing the room in a few quick strides. “I’m just glad you’re here.”
Before Derek can say anything, I lean in and press a soft kiss to her lips—quick but definite. She startles slightly, her hand brushing my arm, and I feel her smile against my lips before she pulls back.
When I glance up, Derek’s frozen by the door, one brow raised so high it might detach.
“Right,” he says finally. “So that’s happening.”