Page 97 of The Wish List
“We’re not complicated.”
She heard the tenderness in his tone underneath his customary good humor and realized she’d hurt him. She didn’t want to hurt him.
“You’re right,” she agreed. “I’m leaving after the baptism, and you’re ready to return to Boston. That makes this simple.”
“I’m staying in Magnolia.”
“You can’t.”
His lips quirked. “I can. The agency is going remote and downsizing the Boston office. A few people will stay there, but most of us now have a choice. I can advocate for my authors from anywhere.”
She snorted derisively, trying to cover her shock. “And you choose Magnolia?”
“I’ve already told you, Freya. I choose you.”
“I’m going back to California.”
“Why?” He took a step closer, and she automatically edged back. “You don’t want to be there. It’s not your home.”
“It’s where my career is based. I can’t be a celebrity in some Podunk coastal town.”
“You could be a published author.”
Panic, swift and sure, clawed at her lungs, making it difficult to draw in a breath. “What are you talking about?”
He massaged a hand over the back of his neck. “I wasn’t supposed to say anything yet.”
“Mom gave you my manuscript?” Suddenly the fabric of her dress seemed to cut off her circulation. She reached out a hand and grabbed hold of the corner of Garrett’s desk to steady herself. It felt as though she might crumple to the thick rug that covered the hardwood floor.
He shook his head. “Trinity let it slip that you’d written a book. I convinced her to let me make a copy and take a look.”
“You convinced her...” Freya’s gaze darted to the door. “Oh, my God. Did you show my work to Garrett Dawes? He said something that day in Mariella’s shop. It didn’t make sense at the time but now...”
“I didn’t show him, but I talked to him about your talent. Garrett struggled with embracing his gift after his debut novel was a runaway success and adapted into a blockbuster movie. I thought he could offer some perspective or potential advice to you.”
“You’ve known for weeks that I had aspirations of becoming a writer.” Freya swallowed as her throat felt stuffed with cotton. “You talked about me. You read my book.” She felt her eyes widen. “Did you...”
“Send it to editors? No. Not without your permission, of course.” He dipped his head then glanced up at her, his dark eyes searching hers. “But I teased it with a few of my contacts.”
“No, you didn’t.”
“They don’t know it’s you, Freya. But they should. I know this is awkward because...well... I’m in love with you.”
Did that soft cry of disbelief come from her?
“It might not be appropriate for me to be your literary agent, but you need one. You have a unique voice and a lyrical style that is almost guaranteed to resonate with both reviewers and readers.”
“I’m not going to publish the book,” she said slowly. “I signed on for another dating show.”
His brows drew together. “I don’t understand. I just told you I love you. I thought you felt...something.”
“Right now, I feel betrayed,” she said quietly. That was the easiest to pinpoint in the maelstrom of feelings surging through her. Love was in that powerful mix, but she couldn’t let herself go there. Not when other, darker sentiments tainted it. “You don’t know what’s best for me, Greer. People have always assumed I’m not smart or savvy enough to choose for myself. I am the one in control.”
“I don’t want to take it from you.” He squeezed shut his eyes for a few seconds. “I didn’t expect this, Freya. Maybe I’m mishandling the whole thing. But...” He opened his eyes and the raw emotions swirling in their depths were like a sharp spike to her heart. “Tell me you don’t feel anything for me.”
She licked her parched lips and opened her mouth to do just that. The words wouldn’t come. Finally, she sighed. “I’m a lot of things but not a liar. The problem isn’t what we feel for each other, Greer. It’s that the kind of connection you want... I’m not built for it.”
She clenched her fists. “I’m made for something less. Just like I have with my mom a thousand times over, I’d only disappoint you in the end.”
