Page 12 of Don’t Forget Me

“I’ve seen the pictures. I’m already in love with the place.”

The woman smiled before asking, “Do you need help with your bags?”

“No, no, don’t worry. I got it from here. Thank you so much for everything.” This was all I could say to thank her for her kindness, for her honesty, and for her desire to help me.

Perhaps humankind wasn’t completely lost.

“Go home and get some rest,” I said.

She blushed softly and nodded. “I’ll still help you with your bags.”

We rushed out of the car and began to haul out my luggage from her trunk. Once she pushed her trunk closed, she pulled me into a hug. I was quite shocked that this random woman was forcing this type of intimacy with me, a stranger, but I appreciated it.

I hadn’t been hugged by anyone in so long. I didn’t want to complain.

“Take care of yourself. And here is my number, in case you ever need me,” she said while handing me a card. Her name, Larissa Sandoval, was printed on it with her phone number.

“Thank you.” I smiled.

I began to walk toward the entrance of the airport, and when I looked back, she was already settling herself in her cab. Larissa continued to watch me with teary eyes, her hands over her heart, and a small frown on her face.

“I’ll be okay,” I whispered to myself. “I have to be.”

seven

LYSANDRA

“What do you think?” I asked, staring back at the executives of my publishing house.

They all turned to one another before peering back at me.

“You’ve published great books with us. That’s without including, So Long, Scotland, but we think that your new idea needs a bit more work,” Elena said gently.

“How so?” I asked.

“It’s overused,” Brad, the editor-in-chief, said.

Amelia breathed in sharply at his harsh comment as she glared at him. Hopefully, she could come up with strategies to market this book.

“It’s a story of redemption, second chances, and love that seemed lost. Not everyone has that kind of opportunity. Many of us have said words we wish we hadn’t said. Regrets that can’t be reversed. I believe in this story, and I know that my readers will love this.”

Greer’s eyes watered. Silence was their answer. A long, noiseless pause. It was the best idea I could come up within a matter of hours. I didn’t know what else to write, but I knew that I wanted to write something different.

I had to admit that I tended to write stories that ended in heartbreak or tragedy. Each book that I had written were mirrors to the emotions I felt when writing them.

But this was a novel of hope. And I’d been hopeless for a long time. Would it hurt to transform the ending of So Long, Scotland?

Greer scanned Brad, Elena, and Amelia. I watched as they gave a small nod to one another before shifting their gaze back to me. Camille mirrored my expression. She knew just how much I was struggling to come up with a new idea, and she was finding out about my idea during this meeting.

“Bring us a couple of chapters. Perhaps we’ll be able to make a decision once it’s fleshed out,” Elena said.

“When would you like for me to deliver them?” I questioned.

“We will give you four weeks from today. We know that you will be a bit more occupied with the movie deal. Mark it on your calendar, we will meet then,” Greer replied with a soft smile.

“Okay, thank you.”

“Thank you for listening to Lysandra’s proposal. I’ll be in touch.” Camille stood, extending her hand over to Greer, and shook it.