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“I know you’re not happy, Nate. I don’t know if something has changed or what, but you’re not happy. Except when you were in Candy Land.”
I pinch the bridge of my nose. “Candy Cane Key, you douche canoe. And you’d be happy too, with a tempting little Christmas elf baking you cookies every damn day. If it weren’t for the sex, I probably would’ve gained ten pounds.”
“Is that all she was to you?”
“No, of course not.” I fall back against my chair, my chest aching as I remember the last few weeks with Teddie. “She understood me. She quickly picked up on my weird quirks, but never made them into a big issue. And we’d work on my book together every night. I’d be one character and she’d be the other as we ran through dialogue and scenes and plot development. It was as if we were two pieces of the same puzzle. Until I fucked it all up and said stupid shit that I can’t take back. Then, she stormed out—”
“Was she naked?” Peter wiggles his eyebrows at me.
“Fuck off.” I flip him the bird. “She stormed out and never came back. But I also never saw her again, because she wouldn’t come out of her room. At least, not while I was around. But then it was too late and I had to go, or I’d miss my flight. And I’ve been sick over it ever since.”
“I love you, baby brother, but you’re an idiot.” I want to be mad at Peter, but he’s right. Iaman idiot. “So, how are you gonna fix it?”
“What am I supposed to do? Pretty sure she never wants to see me again.”
“I know I wouldn’t. Especially if you didn’t try very hard—which, to be clear, you didn’t—to at least apologize for breaking my heart.”
Did I break her heart? Mine sure feels like shit.
“I wasn’t thinking and I made a mistake. I’d take it all back if I could. But I’ll have to think about that later. Right now, I’ve gotta come up with an ending to this book or I’m dead. Then, I’ll figure out how to fix things with Teddie.”
“Don’t wait too long, Nate. It was great to hear the humor in your voice again, the excitement. And if some cute redhead in Florida can give that to you, you’d be a fool not to take it.” He clasps my shoulder and gives it a subtle shake. “Now, let’s get outta here and get something to eat. I’m fucking starving.”
“Can’t. My phone’s been blowing up this whole time and I know it’s Emily.”
Peter shivers with a pinched expression on his face. “That woman scares the shit out of me.”
“That woman scares the shit out of everybody.”
“This is true. I’ll get out of here so you can talk to your publisher. Just think about what I said.” I nod as he heads to the door. “Catch you later, dickface!” he yells as he closes the front door while I check my texts.
Emily: I know you’re home, Nate. Video conference at 6 p.m. We need to talk.
Fuck, how many women can I piss off today?
* * *
I retrievethe video-conferencing link from my email and promptly connect my laptop at six p.m. Taking a deep breath to calm my racing heart, I’m ready to talk fast in an attempt to avoid her wrath. I clickacceptand join the call, Emily’s live image filling my screen once we connect. As soon as she starts talking, my shoulders tense.
“How long have we known each other, Nate?” Emily’s question is immediate without any precursor.
“What?” I’m taken aback by her abruptness.
“Howlonghave we known each other?” She pauses briefly before answering her own question. “For years.Years!And you, my friend… well, you’ve been holding out on me.” A goofy grin spreads across her typically stoic face.
I’m dumbfounded at what’s happening right now. “What do you mean,holding out?”
“Your book, Nate! Your book! It’s the best one you’ve ever written.”Did she read the right file?“And that ending! It was so different from your usual stuff. Not that your usual stuff is bad, mind you. But this…thiswas mystery and intrigue andromance.” She shimmies her shoulders and I’m starting to freak out.
Who is this woman, and what has she done with Emily?
I’m so confused right now. “Well, I—”
“It’s brilliant! And it’s the perfect lead into a phenomenal new series.” She lowers her voice and edges closer to the computer. “They’re willing to give you a hefty advance—bigger than the ones you’ve received in the past—if you can pitch five books.”
My jaw drops. I couldn’t finishthisbook. What makes them think I can do five?And what ending is she talking about?
Emily continues, singing my praises and explaining all the new opportunities that could come down the line. But it all fades to white noise when I open my manuscript and scroll to the last few pages.
