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I thought she didn’t want me.
So, what, I didn’t even try?
I really am dumb if I let my own fear and insecurities dictate the fact that I had a chance to love an incredible woman and instead, I let her walk away.
Well, fuck that.
Fuck sadness and fear and holding back.
I hurry over to my laptop and pull up her professional website. I don’t text her or call her. Not just yet. First I need to find out when her next professional appearance is going to be because I’m going to go sweep Miss Terri Jones off her beautiful feet.
And this time, I’m not going to let her go.
Chapter Twelve
Theresa
The networking mixer is filled with publishing professionals, other writers, cover models, and even personal assistants trying to drum up new business and find new clients. There’s so much going on that it’s a bit overwhelming to deal with.
In fact, it’s taking all of my energy not to turn around and run right out of the room. I should do that. I should just leave. The entire week has been awful. Since coming back from Heath’s, I’ve made some decisions. Namely, I’ve decided that after tonight, I’m not going to keep working with Em. She was one of the first PA’s I interviewed and at the time, she seemed like a perfect match, but I’ve realized that we’re completely incompatible and no amount of trying is going to change that.
I need to just let her go and find someone else whom I connect with. Having a personal assistant is a must. I have way too much email and far too many appointments to handle my writing business on my own, but I need someone who has the same vision for my career that I do.
Em is not that person.
“You look beautiful,” a woman says to me, coming in for a hug.
“Hey, Meg,” I reach for a fellow writer I know. Meg Darling is one of the sweetest girls in the business. I have no idea what her “true” last name is. So many of us use pen names that it all seems to run together, but it doesn’t matter because she’s really nice and really kind and really, really helpful.
“So, are we having fun?” Meg asks.
“Uh, yeah, sure,” I smile, sipping my cocktail.
Meg just laughs and shakes her head.
“Terri, you’re going to have to become a better liar than that if you ever want to schmooze,” she warns me.
“I know,” I sigh. “But I’m not much of a schmoozer.”
“I know,” Meg says, looking at me. “And this might not be my place, so please, totally forgive me if I’m stepping out of line, but why do you come to these events? I feel like you’d rather be writing.”
“My assistant keeps signing me up,” I grumble. It’s not a good idea to publicly complain about someone you work with. More specifically, it’s not a good idea to complain about someone who works for you, but, well, I’m at the end of my rope.
“Sounds like you need a new assistant,” Meg whispers. “If you need someone new, or you feel like mixing it up a bit, let me know. My girl, Jen, is fantastic.”
She slips me a card and I slide it into my phone case.
“Thank you,” I tell her.
“I appreciate that.”
“Anything for you,” she says. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, there’s a chocolate fountain with my name on it.”
I laugh and wave her off. Meg loves chocolate. She’s actually known for having her characters eat just the most delectable things
in her books. You really should never read a Meg Darling book unless you’re prepared with at least a box of chocolates and a bag of candy. You’ll need them.
“Hey, what the hell was that?” Em’s shrill voice sounds from behind me and I turn to see her standing with her hands on her hips.
