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“Delaney. Good to see you again.”

“You too.”

“This is Caroline Willis, our senior editorial director.”

We shake hands.

Caroline gestures toward a chair. “Have a seat. We've heard wonderful things about you.”

For the next forty minutes, we talk about books.

About the romance market.

About acquiring manuscripts, working with authors, and the kind of stories I believe readers want.

For once, I don't have to pretend I'm interested.

I am.

Completely.

And when Caroline asks why I want to work in publishing, I tell her the truth.

“Because books have always felt like home to me.”

Beau smiles.

I tell them about my grandmother's shelves, the afternoons spent reading Austen, and the first time I realized somebody actually got paid to help turn stories into books.

By the time we're finished, Caroline is smiling too.

“Delaney, I think you'd be a wonderful addition to our team.”

My stomach flips.

Beau folds his hands on the table.

“The position would be based in New York. Competitive salary, benefits, opportunities for advancement. It's a substantial step up from your internship.”

I nod.

Everything about it sounds perfect.

Except the location.

“Can I ask you something?” I say.

“Of course.”

“Is New York absolutely necessary?”

Caroline exchanges a glance with Beau.

“The position is currently structured around our New York office, and we were under the impression that New York was your dream.”

I look down at my hands.

“I understand. And believe me… it was.”