Chapter 33
33
A ripple went through the room after Jake’s revelation. I could see the pain behind his eyes, and in his voice as he told us about his parents. There were murmurs of conversations as people took in what he had said.
I looked at Hayley, who was completely shocked and seemed unsure what to say or do, and leaned against the wall again, shaking her head. I turned to Jake and gave him a nod of encouragement. He cleared his throat, waited a moment for everyone to settle back down, then he spoke again. ‘Yeah, my father had lied to me and my mum my whole life. He had another woman, and children, and he used his job that took him travelling a lot to live this double life. It shook our world as you can imagine. I thought they were the ultimate love story but it was a lie. Does that mean all love is a lie?’ Jake shook his head. ‘No, but it’s taken me a few months to realise that. That conversation with Davis Mulberry happened at my lowest point. I did almost want to give it all up. But after the article that revealed what I said about romance books came out, I realised that I really could lose it all, and that made me see that I didn’t want to. That I did still believe in love and I do want to write about it. I have received a lot of messages from readers over the years and I know that I’m not the only one to have experienced a broken heart. So many of you have but you still love reading about love, and I still love writing about it.’
I looked at Hayley. She seemed disappointed. Clearly, she still didn’t think this was a good idea. But I was so proud of Jake. I had to help this work out.
I stopped filming, put my phone down and stepped forward. ‘I’ve never been in love,’ I said. Jake turned in surprise and I felt all eyes in the room train on me, which made me nervous but I carried on speaking, keeping my gaze on Jake to give me more confidence. ‘I have always loved your books because they gave me hope that one day, I will. And if I don’t… they are a form of escapism from life, which can be hard, let’s face it. They make me happy. I will always want to read a new Jake Richards book.’
Jake smiled at me. It was a slow smile that felt hard won. I smiled back.
A woman at the back of the room stood up then. ‘I lost my husband four years ago and one of my friends gave me one of your books. They gave me comfort. They still do.’
Another woman stood up after her. ‘I am married and I love reading about couples falling in love because it reminds me of how my husband and I fell in love.’
Hayley waved at me from across the room; she gestured to my phone.
‘Oh,’ I said. I called out to ask everyone if I could record this and no one objected so I did. Hayley gave me a pleased nod and I let out an exhale. She seemed in a much better mood so she must have sensed things were going well like I did. I could have collapsed with relief but I kept on filming.
A man got up then. ‘My boyfriend isn’t really romantic so I like the fantasy of reading about men who are.’
‘You deserve romance!’ a woman sitting in front of him told him over her shoulder. ‘I gave my partner one of Jake’s books to read and he bought me flowers every week after that.’
Even Hayley raised a smile at that.
More people stood up to talk about why they loved Jake’s books and when I looked at him, I could see he was swelling with pride, and it made me happy to see. This was what I had hoped for – he had connected with his readers so they not only believed what he had told them, they understood and wanted to share their stories to show him how much his books had affected them.
Once everyone who wanted to had spoken, Jake thanked them all.
‘Honestly, I didn’t deserve all that. I’m the one who is grateful to you for reading and enjoying my books. But I’m so happy they mean as much to you as they mean to me. I really am sorry for questioning if what I was doing was worthwhile. For letting my personal life affect something I love. I’m not going to do that any more. Because we need love stories in the world, right?’
There was applause and there were cheers to that, and relief rolled through my body. Jake had won everyone over. I stopped filming and looked at Hayley.
She stepped forward to take back control. She called out to everyone that if they wanted Jake to sign anything or get a selfie with him to form a queue so they could meet him, and pretty much everyone joined it. As Jake met with readers, Hayley came over to me.
‘Send me that video and I’ll email it to Jake’s publishers, and get it posted online so we can make the most of the conference buzz while we’re still here,’ she instructed me briskly. I waited for her to add something like praise – I mean, it had been my idea for Jake to be honest with readers – but she just stared at me impatiently. I did as she asked then she sat down with her phone so I went over to Jake.
‘Well done, it’s going so well,’ I said after he had a selfie with two readers.
‘Yeah?’ He turned that sexy smile of his onto me.
‘You had the room in the palm of your hand. You won everyone over. I think you saved your career today.’
‘Only because I followed your advice.’
I smiled then; it did feel good that he had done that. ‘I just hope Hayley thinks we’ve done well too.’
‘If she doesn’t, I’ll find a new agent.’ Jake winked at me then turned back to speak to another reader.
When the queue had finally gone, the three of us were left alone in the room. I could hear the bustle of the conference in the main hall. It was nice to have a minute to breathe and take in what had happened.
Hayley came over before I could speak to Jake alone again.
‘Well, I just heard from your editor,’ she said to Jake. ‘Craig has agreed to a meeting when we’re back in London. So, I think we will get that new contract.’ Finally, she smiled. ‘Good job.’
‘We have Freya to thank,’ Jake said.
‘It was a team effort,’ I said, blushing at him saying that in front of Hayley. I really hoped she wouldn’t think he was being over the top with me.
Hayley turned to me and nodded. ‘It was but when we get home, we can talk about how to progress your career, Freya.’
‘Great, thanks, Hayley.’
‘Now, Jake, get out into the conference hall; there is an hour left so circulate and make sure this buzz continues. Freya, go with him. I’ll go to my room and do some work then I’ll see you both at the dinner and party tonight. I’ve booked a flight home tomorrow a bit later than yours so we’ll be back in London soon and we can get that new deal on the table.’ She strode off, on her phone before she even left the room.
Jake quickly reached out to squeeze my hand. ‘We did it.’ We smiled at one another. I liked the word ‘we’ more than I probably should have done.
* * *
The next hour was crazy. The conference hall was packed and noisy and everyone wanted to speak to Jake about what had happened in the meeting room, both readers and authors. I didn’t get a chance to chat to Liv or Tessa; I was walking around with Jake taking photos of him with people, posting online and it was exhausting after Jake and I had stayed up so late the night before. I found myself stifling a yawn.
‘You look shattered.’ Jake appeared by my side after he’d finished with a group of readers, speaking close into my ear, his hand just grazing the small of my back.
I quickly darted out of his reach in case anyone noticed him touching me. ‘Careful,’ I warned him. ‘Anyone could see, plus Hayley is here.’
‘You need a nap before dinner and the party or you’ll never make it through; I feel the same,’ Jake replied, stepping back from me.
‘I’ll go straight to my room once we’re finished.’
‘Why don’t we make an escape now, say we have work to do?’ Jake lowered his voice further. ‘We could nap together.’
‘Are you serious?’ I hissed.
‘It would be far more enjoyable to nap in your arms.’
‘But…’
‘We won’t be able to be alone later now, will we?’ he reasoned. Now Hayley was here, I knew he was right. We looked at one another. Even in this crowded room, there was no denying the sparks between us. How could I refuse his suggestion?
‘Let’s go,’ I whispered. We left the hall together and thankfully, no one blocked our path or questioned our slightly early exit. We headed across the road to our hotel and through the lobby towards the lifts.
‘It was torture not being able to touch you all day,’ Jake said after he’d pressed the call button. He touched the small of my back then and I didn’t pull away. ‘I can’t wait to lie down with you.’
I shook my head. ‘You’re insatiable.’
‘You don’t like it?’
‘I didn’t say that,’ I replied.
‘That’s a relief.’ Jake looked behind us quickly as the lift doors opened. He took my hand and pulled me into the lift, leaning down to kiss my lips. Before I closed my eyes, something caught my attention in my peripheral vison. Someone was leaning against a wall in the lobby looking in our direction. I caught the glimpse of a smile but I was too distracted by the thought of being with Jake to take too much notice. The lift doors started to slide shut and Jake pulled me closer, his kiss making me forget all about the person watching us.