Page 83 of The Devil’s Lair

“Are you all right?”

He grimaces. “Still nothing from the PI.”

“It’s only been a week.”

“He’s one of the best. I expected him to have results in a couple of days.”

I tentatively reach out, covering his hand with mine. He doesn’t flinch or pull away. “Give it time. He’ll find her.”

“I hope so.” He takes a sip of coffee and stares off into the distance.

“Hey, I think I might know what I want to do for a living, or at least try.”

He brightens, giving me his full, dazzling attention. My stomach flips. He’s handsome all the time, but when his eyes sparkle like that, I lose all cognitive thought. After the trauma I suffered at Marcus’s hands, I truly believed I was immune to all men. Tobias has slowly chipped away at my armor until it’s dissolved.

It’s time to face facts. I am falling in love with a man who has made it abundantly clear he is not in the market for any kind of a physical relationship, and what’s worse is I told him I felt the same.

And I did. Then.

Life can be so cruel sometimes.

“Go on.”

“Well, as it’s a few months before Isla will attend school, I had to come up with something that allows me to still look after her when she needs my attention.”

“You’re killing me here, Wren. Spit it out.”

The nickname only Tobias uses makes me feel all gooey inside. Yep. It’s official. I’m a goner.

“When I was younger, I used to draw quite a bit, and I was pretty good at it. I’ve also read more children’s books to Isla than most adults have had hot dinners. So… I’m thinking of writing and illustrating children’s books that I can sell online.”

“That is a fantastic idea.”

“You think so?”

“I know so. It’s brilliant.”

A warmth takes root in my chest at his unwavering support. “I don’t expect to make a lot of money, or any money, really, but it’ll feel good doing something, you know?”

“Money doesn’t matter, satisfaction does. Besides, if it’s what you want, I can introduce you to some of the UK’s top publishers.”

I grimace. “Nepotism at its finest.”

“Or maybe just taking opportunities that are presented to you.”

“If it’s all the same to you, I’d rather just try selling them myself online. To start with, anyway. I want to prove to myself that I can do this, do something for me, something I create on my own.”

“Whatever you want. I’m proud of you.” He turns his hand beneath mine and squeezes my fingers. “Maybe one day, I’ll be able to say I’m married to a bestselling author of children’s books.”

I laugh. “One day at a time. I might not be any good at it.”

He lets me go, and I immediately miss his touch. “Writing and illustration are learned skills. Some people may have a natural ability, but that doesn’t mean those without can’t be hugely successful.”

I adore how he throws himself into supporting me. There are many days I wish I’d met Tobias first, and this is one of them. Not that our paths would have ordinarily crossed if it weren’t for Marcus dragging me to Tobias’s club.

Speaking of which…

“I have a favor to ask you.”