Page 93 of Joy to Noel
“What?” Liam asks, scooting closer to me on the bed. “What is it?”
I look up at him with what I’m sure is a wild expression. “Do you remember that client I had, Elizabeth? The one whose manuscript was my dream kind of book to edit? The one I thought might be the beginning of things taking off, but I never really heard from her again?”
Liam nods along, clearly remembering this very pivotal and then disappointing client.
“Well, listen to this,” I say, clearing my throat. I read the email aloud.
Hi, Madison. I’m so sorry for the long delay in communicating with you. Right after I released my book, I was contacted by an up-and-coming publishing house about signing a contract for two more books. We’ve been in negotiations, and I mentioned that I would like to retain you as my editor if I signed on with them. They requested to see the edits you did for me, and after reviewing the file, they’ve expressed interest in hiring you to be one of their in-house editors. I know it’s late notice, and you’re likely swamped before the holidays, but if you would have time to jump on a video call this afternoon with me and the publishing house’s head editor, we’d love to talk to you. If not, please send me your earliest availability for next week, if you’re interested. Looking forward to talking and hopefully working with you!
All the best,
Elizabeth
When I look up from my phone screen to Liam, his face is brighter than a sunbeam. He lunges forward, crushing me in a hug, and I squeal in response.
“This is amazing, MJ! I knew something like this would happen for you eventually. You deserve this,” he says, taking my face in his hands. “Permission to break rule number eighty-five, or whatever number your new rule was?”
“Permission happily granted,” I say, elatedly returning his enthusiastic kiss. Hamlet squirms out from between us, retreating to the Christmas tree.
“I’m so proud of you,” Liam says when he pulls away from our kiss.
My heart swells as I say, “I’m proud of me too.”
“To Madison’s new proofreading position!” Clara declares, raising her glass in the air. The ten of us clink our glasses together and take a drink.
“To Liam’s new consulting firm thingie!” Beau exclaims, calling us all to cheers our glasses a second time.
“To Christmas Fest beingoverand the return of normalcy to Noel,” Clark practically groans, and we all heartily echo agreement.
Well, except Clara. She pouts a little bit before reminding Clark, “It’s still officially No-el through the end of the month, thank you very much.”
“When will you start with the publishing firm, Mads?” Syd asks, leaning her elbows on the table. The Deer River Bar is still decked out in all its Christmas glory, and the twinkling lights reflect in Syd’s eyes.
“Right after the first of the year,” I say. “So I have time to enjoy the holidays over the next couple of weeks, and then I’ll do my orientation with them in person for three days before I start taking on projects remotely.”
“But Madison Joy Editorial will still exist, right?” Clara clarifies. “We worked so hard on her—you can’t just leave herout to die!”
Rolling my eyes at her dramatics, I say, “Yes, it will. Because this publishing house is only doing nonfiction, I can still accept fiction manuscripts for freelance editing, as long as it doesn’t interfere with my deadlines.”
“You’re going to be amazing, Mads,” Becky says. “But I’m more than a little bummed to lose my best barista. At least come back next year for Christmas Fest to help me make those Grinch matcha lattes. I had no clue they would be so popular!”
“Deal,” I say with a grin.
The guys start talking about their bro trip to the cabin coming up next week, and Sydney is entertaining Becky and Abby with a story about her son. I lean my head against Clara’s shoulder next to me as I hold Liam’s hand under the table.
“I’m so happy to be here with you, Care-Bear,” I say. She huffs a laugh at my use of her parents’ nickname for her. “Seriously—thank you for suggesting I come here. I think you might have changed my whole life. I’m so lucky to have a friend like you. So lucky to be here.”
Clara shrugs her shoulder enough to get me to raise my head and look at her.
“We’re the lucky ones, Mads. I can’t even imagine what the past year would have looked like without you. Way more boring, at the very least,” Clara says with a teasing smile. “You’ve brought so much joy to me this year. To all of us.”
I raise my glass and give her a sassy wink. “Joy to Noel.”
Epilogue
Madison
Four months later . . .
