Chapter 32 #2
I swallow. “Shouldn’t we do this face to face?” I ask.
“Ordinarily, yes. But the rumor mill is already circling at Mediatech, which means we have about two hours before the whispers reach Charleston. We’ll announce the changes by video conference then drive back so we’re there in time for the end of the day.
It’s Friday, I’ll treat everybody to champagne. The real stuff.”
“Um, they’re not exactly your fans right now.” I was hoping to have some time to talk to them all. To do some rehabilitation on his character. “They think you ran out on them. And on me.” I grimace. “After trying to get me pregnant.”
He doesn’t look perturbed at all. I wonder what it’s like to be so at ease with yourself that you don’t care what other people think.
Maybe it’ll rub off on me. Maybe he’ll rub off on me. And then I’m all flushed again and he’s lifting an eyebrow at me.
“Later,” he tells me curtly. I pout.
“Before we leave for Charleston?” I ask hopeful.
“You’re insatiable,” he whispers, sliding his hand around my naked waist. “Don’t ever change.”
I honestly don’t think I can. It’s like some kind of dam has been breached inside of me. I love him and he loves me and now I can’t stop thinking about how it feels to be under him.
Or over him.
Also lying spooned together – him the big spoon, of course, as he gently slides inside of me and we sleepily make love.
It was a busy night. No wonder I’m exhausted.
An hour later, I’m a little more awake. Myles has set up his home office so that we’re both sitting in front of the video cam. On the screen we can see all the confused faces of the Smith and Carson employees as they take in what we’ve just told them.
“So, we’re not working for Mediatech anymore?” Ryan says. “But we still have jobs?”
“That’s right. Smith and Carson is being bought by Salinger Enterprises.”
“And you’re okay with that?” Ryan asks me.
He’s obviously their unofficial spokesman.
I should have called him and Catherine earlier and told them exactly how much of a savior Myles is.
But I was too busy watching him get dressed.
If I thought watching him strip was enticing, watching him meticulously button his shirt and knot his tie is out of this world.
It took everything I had not to untie it so he’d have to do it all over again.
“Smith and Carson has a great future thanks to the investment from Myles and his brother,” I say honestly.
“And the fact we have Naomi on board is icing on the cake. We have a steady base to build from, and that’s exactly what we’re going to do.
Look for brand new voices, work with those we already have, and continue to build our relationship with schools and educators.
Honestly, I’m really excited about this. ”
Ryan nods, his lips pressed together. “But what about…” he nods. “You know.”
“You’re going to have to spell it out,” Myles says. He doesn’t look annoyed that they’re questioning his integrity.
“You ran out on Ava after trying to get her pregnant,” Ryan says, frowning. “I don’t understand why she’s forgiving you.”
Out of view of the camera, Myles threads his fingers through mine and squeezes my hand. “Do you want to take this one or shall I?” he asks.
“I’ll do it.” I take a deep breath and look at the screen. Nobody moves an inch. “Myles didn’t run out on us. Or on me. He came to New York to secure the funding to save Smith and Carson. He just didn’t have the time, or go-ahead, to let us know what was happening.”
“And you trust him now?” Ryan asks. He winces and I’m almost certain that Catherine has just elbowed him in the ribs.
I look at Myles. He’s so beautiful it makes me ache. “Yes, I trust him,” I say softly. The hint of a smile flickers at his lips. “I trust him completely and irrevocably. He only wants the best for us.”
Ryan nods tightly, but says nothing. Catherine beams wildly. And the rest of the team looks too relieved about their jobs to care about what’s happening in my personal life.
Thank God.
“So what happens next?” Catherine asks.
“You carry on working as normal,” Myles tells her.
“We have books to release and authors to work with. None of that will change. I’ll be working on ways we can streamline things on the business end but none of you have to worry about your jobs.
And if you can get through today, Ava and I will be there by early evening with champagne. And maybe some food, too.”
Everybody starts talking at once. Some of them laugh about something, while others are leaning forward and whispering in each others’ ears. But all of them look relieved.
“And how about you?” one of the accountants asks Myles. “You said that Ava will be the Chief Editor, so does that mean you’ll be going back to New York?”
My breath catches in my throat. We haven’t actually had this conversation. I have no idea what he wants.
I know that he loves me, but I don’t know how that’s going to work in practice. I feel my chest start to tighten.
As though he can sense my panic, Myles moves my hand down until both of our fingers are touching my thigh. He squeezes softly.
“I’ll be mostly in Charleston,” he says. “Because that’s where the woman I love is. But I’ll travel to New York for meetings when necessary.”
A breath escapes my lips. It’s my turn to smile, because I still can’t quite believe this is true. I have the man of my dreams and the job of my dreams, and maybe, just maybe, the family of my dreams, too.
I didn’t think that life would work out this way. That everything I ever wanted would finally be in my grasp.
But it’s here. He’s here. Sitting by my side, caressing my hand with his, making me feel safe and so in love.
Dreams do come true, and ever afters can be happy. I should have believed the books all along.