Chapter Eighteen
I’m trying my utmost to concentrate on a copyedit, but the heat and my buzzing mind make it hard.
I take my lunch break early, and head to the kitchen to make myself a sandwich.
After I’ve eaten, I check my personal emails and find one from Tiago which sends a tiny jolt through me.
Are my feelings for Tiago developing into something more than a friend?
And should I allow such a thing? After all, there’s a very real chance he might move back to London for work.
Or am I simply pining that I very well may lose a friend, someone I feel comfortable with – when finding someone like Tiago happens so rarely in my world.
Even if he does leave, we’ll still keep in touch, right?
But it wouldn’t quite be the same, distance has a way of severing ties, slowly, until one day they’re gone, just like that.
Hi Viviane,
I’ll keep this brief as I know you’re working, Yesterday I went to Livraria Lello only to find they’re taking orders for a limited-edition sprayed edge of book one in The Quill Chronicles.
It was absolute mayhem in there with fans so I took the liberty of ordering you a copy.
It should arrive in the next week or so.
We could go together to pick them up? I’ve heard it’s much quieter there at night, between us, I’d rather peruse the shelves when there are fewer people around.
Bookshops should be quiet, like a library, that hushed vibe that makes you want to read in peace.
Anyway, I’m up for it if you are, alternatively I can pick them up for us.
Today I’m working on my new secret project! I wonder if you’ll like it?
Give me a call if you’re bored!
Tiago.
A new limited-edition copy of book one! I’ll have to reimburse him.
Or perhaps there will be a special edition of book two and I can return the favour?
Why do I deflate at such good news? Ah. The update about his secret project.
Tiago’s being pulled back into his universe, a place I cannot go.
Is it best to pull away from him, if only to save myself from yet another goodbye?
It hurts to lose people. Like I have with my dad.
All those secrets aside, his double life, the shock, the worry about what comes next, there’s still the grief, the shattering of that ideal.
Yes, maybe I should put those protective barriers back up.
Though, I don’t think I can resist Tiago’s invitation to visit the world-famous bookshop if it’s quieter in the evenings.
Greetings, Tiago,
Thank you for such a generous gift. In the business, we call this a ‘spredge’. I thought you with your love of meme speak might like the efficiency of that word. I’d love to visit the bookshop with you.
All the best,
Viviane.