Page 74 of Reluctantly Yours

She doesn’t have to say what she means, it’s implied. It’s convenient I have these large hands to fit around other large parts of my body. Looking up to find Chloe watching me in the shower this morning has been at the forefront of my mind all day.

“I’ve always loved books and reading. When I found out there was an actual career where I could read books for a living, I majored in English literature and set my sights on New York.”

“And you enjoy working at St. Clair Press? With my mother?”

“Your mother, of course. She’s amazing. I’ve learned so much from her.” Chloe stares at her glass of wine before returning my gaze. “I wouldn’t be doing this if it didn’t matter that much to me. It’s not just a job. I love reading stories that the author has poured their heart and soul into with the hopes that it will connect with someone. And when I connect with it and pass it along to JoAnna or an assistant editor, then I feel like I get to share in that effort of putting their story out in the world.”

I expected Chloe to be passionate about her career, but hearing her talk about it like that makes something inside of me crack open. Yes, Chloe made an error in judgment by hosting that party at my mother’s apartment, but I’m the guy who’s been holding her feet to the fire. Making her believe that her career aspirations, of being an editor and helping bring amazing stories into the world, could disappear in an instant.

I’ve been so focused on Fred that I haven’t seen it from her perspective. I haven’t thought about the hours she might spend worrying about what she’ll do if my mother finds out.

I watch Chloe dab at the corner of her eye, then take a sip of wine.

“Favorite book?”

She laughs. “Impossible to choose.”

“Fine. What genre do you prefer?”

“You can’t make fun of me.”

“I will not make fun of you.” I make an x over my heart.

“I love a good psychological thriller, but I also enjoy romance.”

“Why was that so hard?” I ask.

“I feel like you’re judging me.”

“How so?”

“You’re like oh, look at Chloe, she’s super inexperienced so she reads romance novels to help her with guys.”

“That is not what I was thinking at all.” I pause for a beat. “How inexperienced are we talking?”

She shakes her head. “Forget I said that.”

I smile at her. I want to know more. I want to knoweverything. But, I can tell it makes Chloe nervous and I don’t want her to retreat.

“Why are you looking at me like that?” she asks.

“You told me I should smile more. You put it on your list.”

She purses her lips. Those sweet, kissable lips. “It feels like you’re teasing me.”

“I’m making conversation.”

“Ah, I was confused. That’s not your usual approach.” She finishes off the Chardonnay in her glass. “You like silence so you can study people and make them squirm. I’m surprised you haven’t used that tactic on Fred yet.”

“It’s a unique situation with Fred. He eventually needs to sell, but he’s got enough time and assets to not be forced into anything.”

“I don’t know how any of this works, but if you close the deal—”

“When I close the deal.”

“Okay,whenyou close the deal with Fred, what does that mean? Is your company the best or something?”

“It already is the best.”