Page 50 of Long Story Short

‘Oh,’ I said. I called out to ask everyone if I could record this and no one objected so I did. Hayley gave me a pleased nod and I let out an exhale. She seemed in a much better mood so she must have sensed things were going well like I did. I could have collapsed with relief but I kept on filming.

A man got up then. ‘My boyfriend isn’t really romantic so I like the fantasy of reading about men who are.’

‘You deserve romance!’ a woman sitting in front of him told him over her shoulder. ‘I gave my partner one of Jake’s books to read and he bought me flowers every week after that.’

Even Hayley raised a smile at that.

More people stood up to talk about why they loved Jake’s books and when I looked at him, I could see he was swelling with pride, and it made me happy to see. This was what I had hoped for – he had connected with his readers so they not only believed what he had told them, they understood and wanted to share their stories to show him how much his books had affected them.

Once everyone who wanted to had spoken, Jake thanked them all.

‘Honestly, I didn’t deserve all that. I’m the one who is grateful to you for reading and enjoying my books. But I’m so happy they mean as much to you as they mean to me. I really am sorry for questioning if what I was doing was worthwhile. For letting my personal life affect something I love. I’m not going to do that any more. Because we need love stories in the world, right?’

There was applause and there were cheers to that, and relief rolled through my body. Jake had won everyone over. I stopped filming and looked at Hayley.

She stepped forward to take back control. She called out to everyone that if they wanted Jake to sign anything or get a selfie with him to form a queue so they could meet him, and pretty much everyone joined it. As Jake met with readers, Hayley came over to me.

‘Send me that video and I’ll email it to Jake’s publishers, and get it posted online so we can make the most of the conference buzz while we’re still here,’ she instructed me briskly. I waited for her to add something like praise – I mean, it had been my idea for Jake to be honest with readers – but she just stared at me impatiently. I did as she asked then she sat down with her phone so I went over to Jake.

‘Well done, it’s going so well,’ I said after he had a selfie with two readers.

‘Yeah?’ He turned that sexy smile of his onto me.

‘You had the room in the palm of your hand. You won everyone over. I think you saved your career today.’

‘Only because I followed your advice.’

I smiled then; it did feel good that he had done that. ‘I just hope Hayley thinks we’ve done well too.’

‘If she doesn’t, I’ll find a new agent.’ Jake winked at me then turned back to speak to another reader.

When the queue had finally gone, the three of us were left alone in the room. I could hear the bustle of the conference in the main hall. It was nice to have a minute to breathe and take in what had happened.

Hayley came over before I could speak to Jake alone again.

‘Well, I just heard from your editor,’ she said to Jake. ‘Craig has agreed to a meeting when we’re back in London. So, I think we will get that new contract.’ Finally, she smiled. ‘Good job.’

‘We have Freya to thank,’ Jake said.

‘It was a team effort,’ I said, blushing at him saying that in front of Hayley. I really hoped she wouldn’t think he was being over the top with me.

Hayley turned to me and nodded. ‘It was but when we get home, we can talk about how to progress your career, Freya.’

‘Great, thanks, Hayley.’

‘Now, Jake, get out into the conference hall; there is an hour left so circulate and make sure this buzz continues. Freya, go with him. I’ll go to my room and do some work then I’ll see you both at the dinner and party tonight. I’ve booked a flight home tomorrow a bit later than yours so we’ll be back in London soon and we can get that new deal on the table.’ She strode off, on her phone before she even left the room.

Jake quickly reached out to squeeze my hand. ‘We did it.’ We smiled at one another. I liked the word ‘we’ more than I probably should have done.

* * *

The next hour was crazy. The conference hall was packed and noisy and everyone wanted to speak to Jake about what had happened in the meeting room, both readers and authors. I didn’t get a chance to chat to Liv or Tessa; I was walking around with Jake taking photos of him with people, posting online and it was exhausting after Jake and I had stayed up so late the night before. I found myself stifling a yawn.

‘You look shattered.’ Jake appeared by my side after he’d finished with a group of readers, speaking close into my ear, his hand just grazing the small of my back.

I quickly darted out of his reach in case anyone noticed him touching me. ‘Careful,’ I warned him. ‘Anyone could see, plus Hayley is here.’

‘You need a nap before dinner and the party or you’ll never make it through; I feel the same,’ Jake replied, stepping back from me.

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