Page 127 of Confessions of a Smutty Romance Author

He gave me a sheepish smile. “Sorry about that.”

I looked around, wondering what he was doing here. “I’m guessing Mr. Rusk gave you the promotion. Congratulations.”

Jenkins shook his head. “He offered it to me. But I said no.”

My jaw scraped the ground. “You’re kidding me.”

“Not one bit. I listened to what you said in there, and you’re fucking right. I’ve missed a lot of shit, and I’m a dumbass if I think I had to. I liked your idea about working remote, and between the two of us, we’ve got thirty years in this business. What do you say we make something that works for the both of us?” He extended his hand.

I grinned, looking between him and his hand. “You’ve got yourself a deal.”

65

Mara

Confession: He made my dreams come true.

I was distracted all morning.The other writers knew it. I knew it.

I just missed Jonas so damn much.

I knew I’d said video calls and weekend visits would be enough, but I hated the idea of going home to an empty apartment tonight. It was like my life was in two places. Here in Atlanta and back with Jonas.

I stepped out of the writers’ room and called his number. But when he answered, I heard his voice twice.

“Jonas, I think there’s an echo,” I said.

He laughed, twice again, and then he said, “Turn around.”

Still holding my phone to my ear, I turned, seeing him standing in the studio hallway. My mouth fell into a surprised grin, and I ran to him, jumping in his arms. “Jonas! What are you doing here?”

He spun me, then set me down. “I quit my job.”

My eyebrows flew up. “Youwhat?”

“They offered me partner, but Mr. Rusk told me I couldn’t change things as much as I thought I could. All I was able to think about was the extra hours I’d be away from you. I quit, and Jenkins quit with me. We’re staring a fully-remote firm together.” He took a quick breath. “I get it now, why you didn’t need to talk this opportunity over with me. Because the second I had the opportunity, I knew it would be good, for me, for us, and I knew you’d be in my corner. I knew I couldn’t keep working at the job and be away from you. Because when you find out who you want to be with, tomorrow isn’t soon enough, and forever doesn’t feel like enough time.”

I smiled, shaking my head, then hugged him again. “Have I mentioned I love you?”

He grinned. “I love you too.”

66

Mara

Confession: I believe in forever.

Six months later

We all satin the living room of Jonas’s house to watch the first season premiere of the show I’d written for,Big Plans. It was about a plus-size woman who was planning weddings for her three roommates but had never been in love herself, and it was the cutest damn thing I’d ever seen.

I couldn’t wait to show it to all of our friends and Jonas’s family.

We’d decided to go with a silver-dollar pancake bar for the party, so there were containers of syrup set out, along with little trays of pancakes and all the toppings you could imagine.

A knock sounded on the door, and I went to see who it was while Jonas finished setting up the last of the food and drinks.

When I opened it, I saw Tess with her adorable baby bump and her husband, who looked happy as always.

---