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Mom plops into the seat next to Ariana. “Tell me all about this book of yours. I can’t believe you’ve been hiding this from me. I love to read.”
The two women fall into a deep discussion, and I decide to take the rest of my feedback and type it up for Ariana in an email, so it’s for her eyes only.
Ariana is careful not to mention anything about how I’ve influenced her or the fact that I’m a writer as well. She’s done a better job of being stealthy about things than I have. But then again, she didn’t swear me to secrecy.
“I can’t believe we have a real, live author in this household. Be sure to talk to us little folk when you’re rich and famous.”
Ariana’s eyes slide over to mine, and a small smile plays at the ends of her lips. But she doesn’t say a word about my secret.
“I can’t wait to get all the ladies at the knitting club to buy your book,” Mom gushes. “Oh, I’m such a sucker for a good romance. Tell me, is your book the spicy kind or the sweet kind?”
“It’s the sweet kind.” Ariana glances my way and then blushes. “I don’t think I could write anything beyond kissing.”
I keep my chuckle to myself.
“Well, that’s all I read, so perfect,” Mom says. “Although, Maybelline does like to read some of the…more colorful books… but I’m sure she won’t mind that yours is clean. We’re going to have to get your book sold in the local bookshop and everything!”
Ariana’s face is so full of joy at the attention my mom is giving her. It’s hitting me how much she’s connected with my mom since she’s been here. They’ve formed quite a bond. It’s probably been a long time since Ariana had a mother figure in her life. And I’m more than happy to share my mom with her.
* * *
Later that night, Ariana finds me in one of the upstairs living spaces, sitting by the fire with my feet up on an ottoman, a blanket over me, and a cup of coffee in my hands.
“Well, don’t you look cozy,” she says.
“There’s room here on the loveseat, if you want to join me.”
She takes a seat next to me, snuggling into my warmth. I take the blanket and cover her. “Do you want anything?” I ask. “Like hot cocoa or tea?”
“Some peppermint tea would be nice. I saw some in the pantry earlier.”
I pull my phone out and call Mrs. Hunt. “Can you bring some peppermint tea to Ariana?” I ask and explain which room we’re in.
“Of course. Do you want any of the cookies Lidia made to go with it?”
“Well, that should be obvious,” Ariana says.
I laugh. “Yes to the cookies.” I hang up and sit for a moment, savoring the feel of Ariana against me.
“Kaison?”
“Hmm?”
She looks up at me. “Can you show me how to buy your book online? I want to order an e-copy.”
“You do?”
Her eyes are serious when she speaks. “I promise I won’t tell anyone who you are. You can trust me.”
“Well, after I spilled the beans about your book in front of my mom, I wouldn’t blame you if you wanted to blab my secrets.”
She twists to look at me better. “I wouldn’t do that. I’m happy that your mom knows. You don’t need to beat yourself up about it. I’m not even planning to use a pen name. It’s not a secret.”
That lifts a little of the guilt off my shoulders. I’ve worked so hard to keep my secret. I’m probably being overly cautious because of that.
It’s a big deal that Ariana wants to read my book. And it’s a big deal that I want to trust her enough to let her in on my secret. But I do. I want to share that part of myself with her. She’s quickly becoming my best friend. I can’t think of another person I’d like to share my secret identity with.
I pull out my phone and tap the screen a few times until a sales page shows up. It’s my top-selling book. The first in a long series. “You’ll want to start with this one. I hear the author is pretty good.”