Page 20 of Long Story Short

Curiosity flooded through my veins again. What had happened in his personal life that lead to Kelly publishing that article? Why was it better for the world to believe that he hated romance books? ‘Why do you find it so hard to open up?’ I asked him.

‘Maybe no one has encouraged me to do so before. You find it easy to open up, don’t you?’

I was startled by the direct question. I looked over at him and our eyes met. He asked the question confidently, like he already knew me. I half liked it, and was half annoyed that I didn’t feel the same about him. ‘I suppose I have always worn my heart on my sleeve. But I’m trying harder not to… Since I moved to London and got this job with Hayley, I want to be more professional, less honest and stop saying exactly what I think.’

‘Why would you want to do that?’

‘Shouldn’t I be more professional?’

‘Well, maybe talking about your romantic life in the office isn’t always the best idea.’ He grinned at me and I shook my head, my cheeks turning a little bit pink remembering what he had overheard that day. ‘But you should be yourself, okay?’

Jake seemed sincere but it was strange that he was so keen for me to stay honest when he hadn’t been. ‘Maybe you should take your own advice,’ I suggested.

‘Maybe you’ll rub off on me,’ he replied, a smile playing on his lips.

I shook my head but I couldn’t help smiling back. He was still infuriatingly silent on why he said those things about romance but he had admitted it all had made him different these past few months. And it made me want to find out who the true Jake was even more.

14

We passed by the edge of Central Park then, and I looked at the buildings towering above green trees. ‘I’ve seen this city so much in films or read about it books; I’ve always wanted to be here. It feels somehow so familiar. Like I already know it,’ I said as we walked side by side.

‘I get that. I loved watchingHome Alone 2growing up, and I did feel like a kid again when I saw all the locations they use,’ Jake admitted.

‘Woah,’ I said, holding up a hand. ‘Not only was Jake Richards a kid who enjoyed movies but you got excited as a grown-up seeing locations from your favourite scenes. I may need a moment to recover from the shock of this confession.’

Jake rolled his eyes but he did grin at me. ‘Ha ha ha,’ he replied sarcastically, making me laugh.

We carried on walking until Jake pointed ahead. ‘Here we are.’ He gestured to the New York Public Library so I followed him up the steps of the grand building and through the door framed by white pillars. Inside, there was an immediate hush and coolness accompanied by a feeling we were somewhere important.

Jake was surprisingly a great tour guide, showing me his favourite exhibits and not rushing me as we looked at everything, but when we walked into the Rose Main Reading Room, we both lapsed into silence. I looked up at the ceiling I had always wanted to see in awe. The sky murals surrounded by ornate gilding were beautiful. Books lined the walls and in the middle were reading benches. Chandeliers hung above them. It was stunning.

‘Imagine being able to just come here and read all day,’ I whispered to Jake, my eyes still above us.

‘Is it as beautiful as you hoped?’

‘It’s incredible,’ I replied, looking away to find him watching me. I smiled. ‘I’m so happy I got to see it.’

‘I’m happy I got to show it to you.’

‘A book lover’s dream, right?’

Jake smiled back. ‘It really is. When I first came here, I wondered if anyone had sat here reading one of my books. I hoped so.’

‘I bet they have.’ I pulled out my phone to snap a few photos. I knew they were unlikely to do this stunning room justice but it would be nice to be able to look back and remember standing right here.

‘I’ve been thinking about the reader session later, and what you said last night,’ Jake said then.

‘Was I terrible?’ I asked nervously.

‘You’re never terrible, Freya. More honest than most of the people I know maybe. But that’s a good thing.’

‘Wow, is that a compliment?’ I blurted out.

‘I am capable of making them, sometimes.’ Jake looked at me seriously. Once again, I couldn’t take my eyes off his. ‘What you said, it got to me. I have always believed in romance. When I started to write, it just was natural for me to write love stories. I loved it.’

‘What changed then?’ I asked, relieved to hear that it hadn’t all been a lie. That hehadbelieved in love. That his books weren’t a cynical marketing ploy, but he was compelled to write them. God, the thought of a man loving love so much that he decided to write romance books… it was pretty hot.

I really needed to stop thinking impure thoughts!

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