Page 21 of Hidden Vows
That manuscript sat on my computer for another few years, and more and more manuscripts were added. Just sitting there with no plans to do anything with them. But in one of the most unoriginal moments of my life, everything changed.
Sitting in a coffee shop in New York City, a man at the table next to me saw what I was working on and struck up a conversation. Turned out he was an up-and-coming literary agent; adamant he could turn my books into something. With nothing to lose, I figured,why not?
That “why not” moment changed my life. Ten years later, I’m about to publish my thirtieth novel, and I want for nothing—well, nothing material anyway.
My eyes move back to Abbey, tracking her movements as she continues putting books away.
She’s right—in a way. This book is different from all my others. I started writing it a little over a year ago after yet another conversation with Mae. I never told her the complete story of Abbey and me—I never told a soul—but Mae knew enough to know Abbey was my reason for everything: my guilt, my pain, my sorrow. Everything that held me back from living a full life.
She said something during that call that got me thinking. It wasn’t anything new, but the way she said it finally had it clicking. No matter what you believe, there’s a path we all follow in life—it’s different for everyone, but a path nonetheless—and we have to keep moving forward. If we focus on the things we wish we could change, we get stuck, and what good does that do anyone?
I wished for so long I could redo that moment with Abbey, but time travel doesn’t exist, and wishing for something that would never happen was a waste of time.
The Silent Promisebecame my therapy. It wasn’t Abbey and my story, but I definitely took inspiration from our past, and a lot of healing was done while writing that first draft. That’s why I fought my editor and agent as hard as I did. Ineededthis story to be out in the world, the same way I needed to fix things with Abbey now.
The bell above the door rings, bringing me back to the present.
“Dad, you’re here early.” Abbey smiles, striding past me without a second glance.
My entire body goes rigid. Edward Selbey has never been my biggest fan, and I have no doubt seeing me with his daughter will make him very unhappy.
“I hope that’s not an issue.” You’d think his voice would be softer when talking to his daughter, but all I hear is a businessman.
“Well, Ava’s not here yet to watch the store.” Abbey fiddles with the skirt of her dress, rubbing the material between her thumb and forefinger.
Before Edward can say anything else, I march toward the door, offering Abbey the smallest glance as I pass her. “Thanks for the recommendation, Abbey.”
I don’t see it, but I imagine a flicker of confusion crosses her face. She didn’t recommend a single book to me.
nine
ABBEY
“Jude’s back in town.”No question, just a statement. One I’m sure is supposed to come off as indifferent, but I see the anger burning in his eyes.
“Dad.” I sigh in exasperation. “Of course, Jude’s back in town; his father just had a heart attack.” I turn away from him, returning to the books I was restocking before he walked in.
Dad never liked Jude—something I’ve never understood—but I would’ve thought he’d be past all of it. Especially since we’re divorced and haven’t been a part of each other’s lives in such a long time.
“Is this the first you’ve seen him?”
I let my eyes fall closed for a second, my shoulders slumping as I spin to look at him. “No. Not that it should concern you, but I was at the hospital with Walt when Jude got into town. Jude’s also staying in the apartment above the bar, so we run into each other.” My voice is stronger than I thought it’d be, but maybe that shouldn’t surprise me.
I’m done letting what happened with Jude dictate my life.
Jude’s right. We aren’t the same people we used to be and it’stime to move on. I don’t know if we need to rehash everything that happened between us, and I don’t think we can ever be friends again, but co-existing peacefully in this town? That’s something we can do.
“Your happiness will always be my concern.” Dad takes a few steps toward me, his hands reaching for me, but I shake my head.
“Jude has nothing to do with my happiness, not anymore. And whether or not he’s part of my life is my choice, not yours.” I release a breath I didn’t realize I was holding, and my voice gentles with my next words. “I need you to respect that.”
His eyes study mine, searching for what I don’t know, but it doesn’t surprise me when he ignores my words and changes the subject. “You went through my assistant for a meeting. That’s unusual for you.”
For once, I’d like to have an open and honest conversation about all of it with my father—his hatred for Jude, his refusal to move on from it, his need to control who’s in my life. But now isn’t the time. I asked him here in a professional capacity, and if I allow myself to be distracted by this conversation, I’ll never get the investment I’m looking for.
Shaking away the disappointment from his brush off, I stride to the front counter, grabbing my laptop and the folder with the business plan. “Yes. I have a business proposition for you, and I wanted you to view it as such. Going through your assistant made it more official, which felt right.”
His brows lift in surprise. “Color me intrigued. What business?”
