Page 78 of Just a Distraction

“Not that, Milo. I’m impressed, and a little starstruck. It’s a relief that Thaddeus Blackthorn isn’t a senior citizen in Boca Raton after all! Why do you keep your pen name a secret? I’m so . . . confused about all of it.”

And now that I know the truth, there’s another worry pressing on me. One that I didn’t want to allow to blossom in my mind. But it’s fermenting now, so before he can even answer me, I continue.

“Why didn’t you tell me? Secrets are their own brand of . . . sticky for me.”

“It’s . . . I never meant for it to get so out of hand.”

“Out of hand? It’s astounding. You have hundreds of thousands of followers on Turnip for these stories.”

“It hit a million this morning.”

I gasp again. “You should get a book deal.”

When he hedges, I gasp for a third time. “You have a book deal?!”

“No, not yet. I’m looking for a good agent to shop my first book,The Dowager Magicianto publishers. I’m hopeful, but the pile of rejections is growing.”

“It’s only a matter of time because you’re going to get it published. And you’re going to publishZehma, too. But . . .” I put my hand on my heart, willing it toplease calm down. “Milo, youhad so many opportunities to tell me it was you. Why did you wait so long? It feels almost—”

“Dishonest?” He blanches then squeezes the space between his brows with his thumb and forefinger. “I’m sure it does. There were so many times I wanted to tell you, but I’ve got a lot of hangups about what I do. I’m not at all sure how my family’s going to react.” His gaze flits to mine, and his smile grows. “But the more I got to know you, the more I became absolutely sure that I wanted to tell you . . . first. You’re the only one from my real life who knows.”

I swallow hard. There’s so much to think about, and yet, that crampy feeling in my chest, the pinch that tells me I’ve been deceived, again, is something I can’t ignore.

“I’m truly sorry I didn’t tell you sooner, Rose. I’ll answer anything you need me to answer now, though. Anything.”

“Oh, I have plenty of questions, Milo.” I clear my throat. “I do feel . . . betrayed . . . somehow. But it feels like my go-to reaction that I can’t control. It almost doesn’t feel genuine. It’s like my brain knows logically you hadn’t set out to deceive me, but the rest of me hasn’t caught up yet.”

The fact that there’s so much depth and breadth of experience in this man that he could be capable of writing such sparkling prose, such complex character arcs, such beautiful worlds . . .

“I didn’t want to deceive you. I should have told you right from the beginning. I guess I needed some time. Rose, you’re not just the first person in my life I’ve told. You’re the first person I’ve reallywantedto tell.”

I chew on my bottom lip, feeling my forehead gnarl in thought. Objects around me lose focus, so my gaze takes in the tiled floor beneath us.

When I finally look at him again, there’s apprehension in his eyes. Does he think I’m disappointed?

“I’m surprised, and yet I’m not because you’re a beautiful letter writer and a huge fan of fantasy, I just . . .” I pull him into a hug. “I know we’re at work but—” I hesitate. I want to say that I don’t care about being at work, that I’m overwhelmed with the strongest emotions of respect and adoration. And love.

Am I in love with him because he’s Thaddeus Blackthorn? No. I’ve been in love with him much longer than I’ve known that. But there’s something about knowing that he wrote those words after meeting me . . . while thinking of me . . .

“We’re at work, but I don’t care, either.” He glances down at my lips and that’s all the permission I need. I kiss him, exploring him, savoring him. I pull away as soon as I can muster up the strength to do so.

“Henry probably saw that,” I whisper, a blush creeping over my lips, my eyes searching for the security cameras.

“Henry needs to avert his eyes,” Milo warns before giving me another, too-quick kiss.

“Rose, like I said, you’re the only person who knows my pen name,” he says quietly, searching my gaze.

“You had to have known that I’d put two and two together when I read the latest installment.”

He nods, and now it’s his turn to blush. “I was hoping you would. I didn’t really think it through that much. But I knew the romantic storyline needed that kind of commitment, that declaration from Balthor. And since you’re my muse, I had to use the words I’d penned about you. It’s the only thing that made any sense.”

“I’m your muse? I’ve never been anyone’s muse before.”

“Oh, don’t sell yourself short. I think you’ve inspired plenty of people.”

I clutch his shoulders, not wanting to let go. “There’s so much to discuss.” I glance back at the door. I still have an hour left in my shift.

“We have plenty of time for all of that. Can I hang out with you, Callum, and Thorin tonight, Rose?”

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