Page 1 of Loved Out Loud
One
HAZEL
Thank fuckfor this pair of Spanx. Not only is it smoothing my silhouette, but it’s also hiding the copious amount of nervous sweat rolling down my back as the studio lights beat down on me. I’m never doing this again; I don’t care how much money my publisher throws at me.
Well. That’s a lie.
I can definitely be bought.
But I’m not going to like it.
Mark O’Malley, morning anchor of the national news program I’m a guest on today, unbuttons his navy jacket as he sits down. His co-anchor, Amy May, joins him as a crew member counts down. Mark continues to look at his phone, completely ignoring me, but Amy sets hers on a small table hidden behind the couch and turns to me.
“I read the book and absolutely loved it. Stayed up way later than I should have to finish it.” Her smile is warm and wide and instantly eases a bit of the anxiety pulsing through me.
“Thank you so much. It’s surreal to be here.”
Someone starts counting down from fifteen, and a cameraman moves into place. Mark slides his phone into his pocket and pastes on the fakest smile I’ve ever seen. My eyes dart to Sierra, my agent, who mimes taking a deep breath while giving me two thumbs up.
“This morning we have author Hazel Archer with us to discuss her incredible debut novel.” Amy holds up a copy of my book with her perfectly manicured hands as she looks into the camera. “I was just raving about the book during the break.”
“How does it feel to have hit the New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal best sellers lists with your debut?” Mark asks, aiming that slimy smile in my direction.
“Overwhelming.” I smile nervously. “Honestly indescribable.”
“You just finished your MFA at Columbia, correct?”
“I did, yes.”
“I bet that helped open some doors.” Smugness oozes from every pore on his perfect face.
“How did you manage to find such success at such a young age?” Amy redirects my attention from the asshole sitting beside her.
“A combination of being a voracious reader and understanding what people want to read in today’s climate, along with a little luck and favorable timing. As you may know, this book was originally a fan fiction piece I wrote for fun. A few large creators in the social media book community started reading it and that led to my publisher reaching out.”
“And now here you are, a New York Times bestselling author at twenty-four.” Amy pulls the book to her chest. “I’ve alwayswanted to write a book. Do you have any advice for others out there with the same dream?”
“Gosh, I don’t feel like I’m seasoned enough to share advice. If I can do this, anyone can, you know?”
“Plus, it’s a romance,” Mark adds. “It’s not going to end up on the classics shelf.”
Oh, fuck no he did not just say that. In an instant I go from nervous to activated.
“Romance is the highest earning genre in fiction. Year after year. Countless universities offer classes on the genre. I’ll sleep well knowing it’s on bedside tables across the world rather than collecting dust in the classics section.”
Bradbury and Austen forgive me. I love the classics just as much as genre fiction. I just don’t appreciate elitist takes. And I’d like to punch this asshole in the face.
“Surely you want your work to be impactful, though. Or is it just about the money?” He smirks at me like he’s hit me with a gotcha question.
“I hear from readers every day telling me how my book impacted them.”
“The themes in this book are deep. I love how you wove abandonment and its effects into both main characters.” Amy is quick to pull the conversation back to the book. “What’s next? When can readers expect another book?”
Just like that, anxiety comes swimming back into my veins. The urge to bleed out the emotion drives my heart into an erratic rhythm. But just like I always have, I force a smile and push the feeling down deep until it’s safe to release it.
“I’m searching for inspiration as we speak. Much to my agent’s dismay, I have yet to be bitten by a story bug, but I’m sure I’ll find one soon.”
I startle as over six feet of denim- and leather-covered muscle hurdles over the couch I’m currently occupying and lands beside me.
