Page 65 of The Paris Chapter

Gita nodded. ‘Of course. I always make sure my deadlines have room for life emergencies and it sounds to me like this could be a perfect Valentine’s Day book. Let me talk to the team but if we move publication from the autumn to early in the New Year, that will give you time to write the first draft and we can do lots of activity around Valentine’s for it. What do you think?’

My face almost cracked from how widely I smiled at her. ‘Oh, Gita, I’m so relieved. I thought you’d tell me you didn’t want to publish me any more.’

‘Tessa,’ she admonished. ‘As if! You’re one of our most talented and popular authors. We need to do some juggling, sure, but I’d much rather that than we publish something neither of us are fully happy with. Your fans will wait. I think this could be even bigger than your last book. And you’re in luck: Deborah Day has sent in her book early so she can take your slot and the autumn tour. I’ll speak to Stevie about it.’ Gita stood up. ‘I’ll be back in a bit.’

I sank back into the chair as she went out and five minutes later, Stevie came into the boardroom. She was a gorgeous blonde who always wore a headband and a smile.

‘Stevie!’ I jumped up as she hurried around the table and we hugged warmly. ‘You look so happy,’ I said, without envy because she was lovely and deserved to be happy.

She pushed back her hair, flashing the large diamond ring on her left hand. ‘I really am, I can’t lie. On that note, I had something for you but Gita just told me everything…’ She shook her head. ‘Can I be frank and say that Joe is a complete dick? How could he do that to you?’

‘Thank you,’ I said with a chuckle. ‘And you’re right, he is. I’m so much better off without him. He showed up in Paris to try to get me back.’

Stevie’s eyes widened.

‘I know. I told him there was no way.’

‘Good,’ she said firmly. ‘He doesn’t deserve you. I’m sorry he’s made writing so hard. But I love your new idea and I think it’ll be brilliant. And actually, I think moving to February is a much better plan; I just told Gita that.’

‘I’m so relieved. I was so nervous to tell you all.’

‘You know us, we care about our authors, we want you to produce your best work and we want to sell it as best we can,’ Stevie said.

‘Great. Thank you. So, what did you have for me?’ I asked.

‘Well, it doesn’t feel appropriate now but I have an invitation…’ she said slowly, biting her lip.

‘For your wedding?’ I reached out and grabbed it from her hand. ‘You don’t need to hide that. Oh my God!’ I looked at the fancy cream envelope. Stevie got engaged to Noah last year. I was touched they had invited me.

‘We really want you to come,’ she said as I opened it. ‘I put a plus one on there.’

‘You’re getting married in autumn,’ I said, seeing the date.

‘Our favourite season,’ she confirmed with a smile. ‘There is so much to do but I’m so excited. We have a bridesmaid fitting later. Gita and Emily from here, of course, Liv, and Georgina who used to work with Noah.’

‘Oh, tell Liv I am really enjoying reading her book,’ I said.

‘You two should get coffee sometime. I’ll pass on your details to her.’

‘That would be great.’ I put her invite in my bag. ‘I’ll be there, Stevie; I can’t wait. You will make a stunning bride and I know you two will be really happy together.’

She grabbed me for another hug. ‘Thank you, Tessa. I was so scared to trust Noah with my heart again but I’m so happy I did. You’ll meet someone who will make it easy to trust them, I know it.’ Stevie and Noah had dated before he broke up with her so when she started working here, she was stunned to find he was her new boss and wanted her back.

My mind flitted to Ethan. Maybe if we had trusted each other more, we might have had a chance.

Gita returned to join us. ‘What are you still doing here, Tessa? You need to get writing,’ she said, but she was smiling.

‘You’re right.’ I picked up my bag and looked at them. ‘I really do appreciate you moving things for me. I promise I’ll write you a brilliant book.’

‘I would never doubt that,’ Gita said.

‘You’ve got this,’ Stevie added.

I left them feeling much more confident and so happy I had been honest with them. As I left the office, I wished I could tell Ethan what had happened. He had been so encouraging of me writing again. He would be rooting for me right now. But then I remembered our goodbye by the river and shook my head. It was so hard to think that was our last conversation. I would remember his final words to me for a long time.

We’ll always have Paris.

And then it hit me.

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