“Are you ready for tomorrow?”
“Yeah, I just get so nervous,” she admits, her hands wrapping around her cup. “And I realized I was almost out of bookmarks and had to rush a shipment so they’d be here for tomorrow.”
“That’s the worst. It took forever putting all my bags together this week, but the manager said this weekend should have a great turnout,” I tell her, trying to reassure us both.
“I hope so.” Leaning forward, she lowers her voice to a whisper. “Is that guyreallyyour bodyguard? It’s all over social media.”So, she did see the posts.I try not to let it bother me that she didn’t reach out to see if I was okay. Brushing off the hurt, I watch as she darts her eyes to where Tom is casually seated in the corner, his back to the wall and his gaze glued to his phone.
He looks like he’s not paying attention but it’s an act.
A really sexy one.
What is with me today?
Being trapped in my house with him is one thing, but I’m sure it doesn’t help that the book I’m working on is now the spiciest thing I’ve ever written.
Courtesy of Tom Oakden.
Silver linings—or silver foxes and all that…
Clearing my throat, I try and deliver my rehearsed line as naturally as possible. “Between us, I got some weird fan mail and my brother freaked out. He’s being overprotective and I’m just trying to deal with it.”
“Oh my gosh, I’m so sorry,” she coos, placing her hand over mine and squeezing. “I can definitely understand overprotective family.” She rolls her eyes as if to emphasize she’s making a joke, but it doesn’t sit right with me.
Everyone grieves in their own way.
Forcing a small smile, I sit back in the blue painted metal chair, clutching my vanilla latte in my hands. “How’s writing?”
“It’s slow. I had some ideas before the accident, but I’ve just put everything aside for the time being.”
“I’m so sorry.”
“It’s okay. Everything comes in waves, you know?”
“It definitely does. How’s everything else going?”
“Oh, you know, my aunt is driving me nuts,” she says with a laugh and a deprecating smirk. “She’s the best with keeping everything organized and up to date and she works for free, but she’s a lot, so…” She trails off with the shrug of one shoulder as she takes a sip of her tea. “I know I shouldn’t say that. She’s amazing and I love her but…”
“She’s enthusiastic,” I offer.
“She’s exhausting and sometimes I just want her to meet me where I am instead of trying to push the envelope, you know?”
“I do.”
“But then I feel guilty because she believesso muchin my books and my career and I feel like it’s an endless cycle. I wish I could make this my full-time career, but I’m just not there yet.”
This time, I’m the one to reach for her hand. “We’re allowed to rant about our families even if they test every ounce of our patience. And youwillget there. You’ve done so great already.” Pulling back, I raise my cup and she giggles as she taps hers against mine.
“Thank goodness for that,” Hazel says, tucking a piece of hair behind her ear, not quite meeting my eyes. “Can I tell you a secret?”
My heart starts beating a little harder in my chest as her lips turn up on one side. “Of course.”
“Well…” she says, staring at a chip in the table, “I’ve started writing something a little different.” Hazel peeks up at me through her stylish bangs and blushes. “I haven’t told my aunt or anyone else—you’re the first.”
“Oh my gosh, what are you writing?” I ask, my interest piqued.
“It’s a young adult story. Fantasy.” She practically hisses the word like she’s afraid her aunt is going to jump up at any moment and chastise her for even thinking it.
“Really? That’s great! What’s it about?”
