Page 40 of Healing Hearts
He grins, those dimples making my heart flutter. "What do you say we do this again tomorrow night? I promise I won't have to rush off then."
I don’t hesitate for a moment, I start nodding. "I'd like that."
"Great," he says, his smile widening. "I'll pick you up at seven?"
"Seven it is," I agree, wishing it was already tomorrow night.
"I had a great time, Brooke," he says softly as we walk hand in hand back to the school and where my car is parked.
"Me too," I whisper, my heart racing.
He leans in, and I find myself rising on my tiptoes to meet him. Our lips touch, and suddenly it's like electricity is coursing through my body. His kiss is gentle but passionate, and I feel myself melting into it. My hands find their way to his chest, feeling the strong beat of his heart beneath my fingertips.
When we finally break apart, I'm breathless. Trevor's eyes are dark with desire, and I can see he felt it too.
"Goodnight, Brooke," he murmurs, his voice husky.
"Goodnight," I manage to reply, fumbling for my keys.
Once I make it home, I step inside and close the door and lean against it, my heart still pounding. What am I doing? This isn't just a harmless flirtation anymore. I'm in deep here, and I know it.
I make my way to my study, collapsing into my writing chair. It’s actually a regular armchair, but I do all my writing from here, so it’s now got the moniker of being called ‘my writing chair’. Pickles meows as he climbs onto the arm of my chair looking for some love and I willingly oblige.
The blank document on my computer screen next to me seems to mock me, the cursor blinking accusingly… mocking melike the little bastard has a right to. I should be finishing my next book, but all I can think about is Trevor.
Part of me wants to throw caution to the wind, to let myself fall completely for Trevor and damn the consequences. I want to tell him everything – about my writing, about Sophie Quinn, about who the real me is.
But then the fear creeps in. What if he can't handle the truth? What if he feels betrayed? What if he realizes I make way more money than he does and he can’t handle it? I don’t think he’s like that, but who knows. Some guys just can’t handle that. Or worse, what if he accidentally lets it slip to someone else? Everything I've worked for, the life I've built here, could all come crashing down in an instant.
I stare at the computer screen, willing the words to come, but they don't. Instead, all I see is Trevor's face, feel the ghost of his kiss on my lips.
"This is impossible," I groan, pushing the laptop away from my lap. How can I focus on my fictional world when my real one feels like it’s in such turmoil?
The shrill ring of my phone cuts through my internal struggle. I glance at the caller ID and groan. Melissa. My agent who I know is going to ask me about my latest manuscript. I take a deep breath, plastering on a cheerful voice as I answer.
"Hey, Melissa! What's up?"
"Brooke," Her voice crackles with enthusiasm. "How's that book coming along? We're all dying to see what Sophie Quinn has in store for us next."
Bingo – called it.
I wince, glancing at the blank document on my screen. "It's... coming along. You know how it is, some days the words flow, and others..."
"Well, pick up the pace, honey, because I've got some big news and we’re going to need that book finished for it!" Melissa barrels on, not waiting for my full response. "You've been invited to headline the Autumn Leaves Literary Festival in Pelican Point! It's a huge honor, Brooke. All the top names will be there."
My stomach drops. "A... a signing?" I stammer. "Melissa, you know I've never done one of those before. I can't just-"
"Brooke," Melissa cuts in, her tone softening. "I know you're hesitant, but it's time. You can't keep hiding behind the pen name forever. Your readers are clamoring to meet the real Sophie Quinn.”
I sink deeper into my chair, my mind racing. "But if I do this, everyone will know who I am. My whole life here, my privacy..."
"Listen to me," Melissa says firmly. "You can't keep turning these opportunities down. The money, the fame, it won't last if you stay in the shadows. Readers will get tired of the mystery act eventually. You need to make a choice, Brooke. Are you ready to be Sophie Quinn in the real world, or not?" She softens her voice, “I promised you years ago when we first started that when it was time to come out from the woodwork, I would tell you. Now’s that time, Brooke. It’s now.”
I close my eyes, feeling the weight of the decision pressing down on me. "I... I don't know, Melissa. Can I think about it?"
"Of course, but don't take too long. This is a golden opportunity to do this." She pauses, then adds more gently, "Just remember why you started writing in the first place. Wasn't it to connect with people? This is where you get to do that."
As I hang up with her, I stare at the phone in my hand, Melissa's words echoing in my mind. Connect with people…but at what cost? I love my life here in my small town, my job with my kids, and this budding relationship with Trevor. Showing up as Sophie Quinn at a signing will definitely change all of that – but will it be for the good or will I regret it for the rest of my life?
