Page 39 of The Story of Us
“Your new book.”
“Those are my author copies. My agent always thinks I have more friends and family than I do.”
“So, sitting right here is the book I’ve been dying to read ever since I finished book three?”
The smallest smile appeared on Nate’s face, stealing Eloise’s breath.
“Do you want one?”
Her mouth dropped open. Uh, yeah, even if things were still off kilter between them. Romance was usually more her speed, but Nate could rewrite the phone book and she’d read it. The way he managed to inject an almost lyrical quality to his books made it easy to devour them, even if they were about heavier topics than she usually went for. “But it doesn’t come out for like three months.”
“I know the author.” Nate winked. A traitorously fluttery feeling spread throughout Eloise’s body.
He just wants to be friends.
This is him being friendly.
“Would you sign it for me?”
Oh, Jesus. Embarrassed Nate was even more attractive than Pizza Making Nate, his eyes brightening, tongue peeking out just the tiniest bit before disappearing. “Of course,” he whispered. “Let’s make dinner first and figure out what Joan and Mum have got us into. I’ll get you a book in a bit. You can have the very first one.”
“I’d like that,” Eloise said.
* * *
Nate tossedhis crust back onto his plate.
“Scared your hair will go curly?” Eloise teased and thank God she did. Over the course of two homemade pizzas, they’d found their way back to a place that was more like their old friendship than Nate had dared hope for.
“Isn’t that just bread crusts?”
Eloise placed her plate on the coffee table and leant back, tucking her socked feet underneath her knees as she crossed her legs. She looked good on his couch in her comfy clothes, hair piled on top of her head in a messy bun. Nate was inordinately jealous of the sketchpad on her lap. He’d have liked to rest his head there, have her fingers in his hair.
“I was thinking about this on the drive home,” Nate started. “KPs basically offers this program already. It’s just not presented cohesively and badged as mindfulness. If you were to add something physical to your art classes—just a few minutes at the start, that sort of thing—and then we do the reverse in my training sessions, we could have this up and running in no time.”
“We could open each session with a bit of Tai Chi or a few stretches focusing on posture and relaxation.”
“Exactly. And I add a bit of breathwork and meditation into the warm-up and cool down before training, too. Really focus on getting into the right mindset and being grateful for everything our bodies can do. Journaling is something that I’ve found helpful too. We could make a book that included space for that, the training schedule and some positive mantras and affirmations.”
Eloise’s pen scratched against the thick paper. “I like this a lot. It won’t be that much extra work either.”
“I can help with this stuff. I know you’re busy.”
“Says the guy on deadline for the book thousands of people are waiting for. Maybe we could use one of your paintings or sketches as the cover, though?”
“Can you keep another secret?”
Eloise nodded, her brown eyes sparkling with interest.
“The final book’s done. I’m waiting for Garrett’s revisions.” Knowing the draft was complete was the biggest weight off Nate’s shoulders, especially considering Jemima Jenkins’ team still hadn’t sent through the contract.
“Wow. Are you happy with it?”
Nate relaxed back against the couch, noticing how their feet were almost touching. “I am. Once I figured out what I wanted to say, it was easy.”
“I can’t wait to read it. What are you working on now? A new story? Or are you taking a break?”
There was no way he could admit what he was doing now. Especially not to Eloise. Besides, this was just for him. Nate hesitated, searching for the right way to describe his secret project. “I’m free writing, which isn’t something I’ve done a lot of before.”
