Total pages in book: 96
Estimated words: 91373 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 457(@200wpm)___ 365(@250wpm)___ 305(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 91373 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 457(@200wpm)___ 365(@250wpm)___ 305(@300wpm)
“Right, right. Good to know,” she answered briskly, as if it mattered but it didn’t. I relaxed for a mere two-point-five seconds before she continued, “Now that you’ve decided to no longer remain anonymous, your publisher would like you to do an interview with Rise and Shine Britain.”
I blinked rapidly. “The … the biggest morning television show in the country?”
“The very one. It’s an exciting opportunity, Sarah. And this isn’t just slotting you into the book section of the show. It’s a proper interview. Your publisher would love to use the opportunity to announce the film rights deal with Cavendish.”
My body flushed hot from head to toe. “I … I …” I didn’t want to disappoint anyone but, “Liz, I’m not ready for something like that. I haven’t had any media training—”
“We can set that up.”
“I’m not …” Bloody Nora, the thought of going on national television made me want to upchuck. “No. I’m not ready. I’m sorry.”
“That’s okay. How about a national magazine instead?” Liz swiftly moved on. “HEY! Magazine wants to interview you. It would involve some photos and questions about your rise to success.”
Even though that still filled me with nerves, I nodded. “I can do that.”
“Amazing. I’ll let your publisher know and they’ll communicate all the info.”
We chatted a wee bit longer about a few more foreign deals, and I promised Liz I was almost finished with the latest Juno book and would send her the final manuscript as soon as edits were completed. Self-publishing the e-book meant I still paid for editorial services and then would send the final file to Liz for her to forward on to the publishers for the print edition. I had to be very disciplined about the deadlines because we had to coordinate the release. Being swept up in an affair with Theo Cavendish should have been a recipe for distraction from the book, but being who he was, I was more inspired than ever.
At that thought, after I got off the phone with Liz, I made a coffee and grabbed my laptop. Instead of worrying about Theo, I was going to be productive and try to write at least one new chapter.
My phone sounded with several new text messages over the next few hours. One from North checking in to see if all was okay. He knew Theo was talking with the police today. Another from Aria asking pretty much the same. One from Jared. And, surprisingly, one from Sloane Ironside asking how I was, when I would be returning to Ardnoch, and if I’d still like to do coffee when I got back.
At her text, I stared at my phone in wonder.
I couldn’t remember the last time this many people had been interested in my well-being.
It felt nice.
I replied to them all and told Sloane I wasn’t sure when I’d be back home, but I’d text her as soon as I did. I asked after her and we texted back and forth for a bit before she was distracted by a cake order.
Another thousand words later, Sloane texted me a picture of the cake. It was a three-tiered wedding cake decorated with a sweeping band of icing flowers that draped down over the tiers in a spiral. The flowers were so beautifully crafted, they looked real. I told Sloane so and then snapped a picture of the page I’d just written.
She texted back:
Did you just send me a sneak peek of your new Juno book? Monroe is going to be so jealous! DYING *skull emoji*
My shoulders shook with laughter.
Saving my manuscript, I closed the laptop and got up to wash out my cup. I hadn’t eaten anything since Theo left because I’d had low-level nausea all day.
Releasing a slow breath, I stared up at the clock on his kitchen wall. Shouldn’t he be back by now? At least five hours had passed.
As if I’d conjured him, I heard the lock on the front door turn and I rushed out into the living room to see Theo enter the flat. His expression was drawn, his shoulders hunched with exhaustion as he closed the door behind him.
He looked haunted.
I rushed across the room and pulled him close. His arms bound tightly around me as he buried his head in the crook of my neck and inhaled deeply.
We didn’t say anything for what felt like a long time. Eventually, Theo released me, stroking a thumb tenderly over my cheekbone.
“What happened?” I finally asked.
Stepping back, Theo shrugged out of his coat and hung it on the hooks by the door. “They have a primary suspect.”
My heart jumped. “Isn’t that a good thing?”
Theo scrubbed a hand down his face, his fingers scratching over his stubbly cheeks. “Hopefully. His name is Quinn Gray. They found his DNA on the skirt belonging to Helen, the last victim. He’s in the system for stalking a girl at university a few years back. His parents died in a car accident when he was eighteen. It was not seen as suspicious at the time. He stalked that girl a few years after the accident, but she moved abroad after graduation, so she, thankfully, escaped him.”