“I’ll let you know. See you tomorrow.”
“Right.” His jaw flexed. Then he turned away, leaving her with the guy who’d sent the man she loved down the wrong path.
She took a breath. “I hope you’re proud of yourself. Rance is now sold on this indie thing when he could have had a huge career. You don’t get the enormity of what you’ve done because you haven’t read his book, but?—”
“You’re right, I haven’t read it. But I gather it’s damn good from the way his family is buzzing about it. I’ve also heard that you refused to head up Desiree and Andy’s indie press.”
“I can’t in good conscience be part of it when I know what he could have if he goes the traditional route. I intend to keep making a case for that during the rest of my visit. Maybe I can convince him.”
“But Lani, there’s something you haven’t considered, something that would let you have it all.”
“I don’t believe you. You bamboozled Rance and now you’re trying to do the same with me.”
“Hear me out. If you don’t agree with my reasoning, then we won’t discuss the subject again.”
“I’ll give you five minutes.”
“That’s enough. Trust me, these next five minutes could change your life.”
CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN
Rance kept an eye on Lani and Irving. Their conversation didn’t last long. Five or six minutes. Shortly after they parted, Lani’s parents came in to collect her.
Once she was gone, Rance had to push himself hard to survive until closing. Good thing Thunder knew the way home because he didn’t remember much of the drive. Stripping off his clothes, he fell into bed and conked out.
Thump...Thump…Thump.He slowly roused himself and stared into the darkness. What the hell?Thump.Then a pause.Thump.
His window. Something was hitting it.Thump.It almost sounded like… a snowball??? Who would be out there throwing snowballs at his window at… he glanced at his phone… two in the morning?Thump.
He turned on a light and struggled into his clothes. The thumping stopped and was soon replaced by a light tap on his front door. Could it possibly be… nah, she wouldn’t. Would she?
Running to open it, he came face-to-face with Lani. “Were you throwing snowballs at my window?”
“Yes! I wanted to wake you up but I didn’t want to scare you by pounding on your door like it was an emergency. Can I come in?”
“Of course, of course!” He backed up, still dazed and confused. “It’s past two in the morning.” Like she wouldn’t know that.
“I apologize, but I finished your Christmas present and I knew you’d want it right away.”
“Pound cake?”
She laughed as she took off her coat and toed off her wet boots. She was wearing the same outfit she’d had on at the Buffalo. But then so was he, minus his socks and boots.
“Not pound cake, but that reminds me. I can pick up the one I made for my folks while I’m here. I was wondering how and when I’d retrieve it.”
“How did you get here?”
“I drove their truck. Don’t worry, I left them a note and told them where I was going. And why.”
“To deliver my Christmas present. At two in the morning.”
“Yes. Here.” She pulled a folded piece of paper out of her jeans pocket. “It’s handwritten because I didn’t want to start up my folks’ printer in the middle of the night. I didn’t wrap it, either, but… it’s for Christmas. From me.”
He unfolded the paper.Dear Sasha, I’ve loved every minute of working with you and the gang at Square Glasses Press, but an exciting opportunity has come my way and I have accepted that offer. We can work out the details at your convenience, but please consider this my letter of resignation. Sincerely, Atlanta (Lani) Armstrong
He stared at her, his heart doing cartwheels. Could he believe what he’d just read? “Then you’re?—”
“I’m in!” She flung herself at him. “I’m in, in, in!”
