Page 86 of Devoured By You

“Yeah. I kind of took the story in a different direction, but since I started listening to my muse instead of what I thought the readers would expect from a follow-up, the words are flowing. Plus, I heard from my editor, and she’s not pushing me at all. Said I was to take my time, and they’d fix any scheduling issues in-house.”

“As they should, too. They won’t want to lose a talent like you, even if you thought they’d dump you because life happened and you had other priorities for a while.”

“You can say ‘I told you so.’ I won’t kick you under the table. Well, not that hard, anyway.” I sipped my cosmo. “Wow, that’s strong. I’d better order some water, too.”

We put in our food order. A prawn salad for me and a steak frites for Kelsey. After the server left our table, she gave me one of her motherly looks.

“How is it really?”

I heaved a sigh. “Up and down. Some days, he’s like the Blay I met on the plane, the Blay who charmed us all on the ship. Other days, it’s like he’s had a personality transplant, snapping at everyone and everything. On those days, nothing soothes him.”

“It can’t be easy for him, but equally, it’s difficult for you, too.”

“I know. Addison called a few days ago and asked me if I loved him. I think she refrained from adding ‘enough.’ And in case you’re wondering, I do.”

“Have to say, you’re a hero. Not sure I could give up my life to care for a guy I’d known for such a short amount of time.”

“That’s just it, though. I’ve always had this sense that I’ve known him forever. Time isn’t always a good measure. He’s my soul mate. And as long as he wants me around, then I’ll stay.”

“He’d be an idiot to let you go.”

“Men have been known to behave like idiots on occasion.”

Kelsey laughed. “It’s funny because it’s true.”

We caught up over good food and perfect surroundings, but as the time to leave approached, a sense of melancholy descended over me. We hugged, and I promised to call in a few days and arrange another meetup, hopefully with Addison, too, if she’d finished her manuscript in time. Kelsey’s eyes bugged out as the valet brought Flavia around to the front of the restaurant.

“Okay, tell me again what attracted you to the billionaire Blaize Kingcaid?”

I laughed, giving her a hefty dig in the ribs. “You’d better be kidding.”

“I am, but still.” She whistled. “I bet it makes those sour moods a little easier to handle.” She kissed me on the cheek and hugged me for a few seconds longer than normal, as if loath to let me go. When she pulled back, all amusement had scattered, leaving behind a serious Kelsey.

“If you need anything, and I mean anything, you just call.”

“I will. Love you.”

“Love you, too.”

I got into the driver’s seat and drove away, waving a hand through the open window as I pulled onto the highway. I hadn’t driven far when my phone rang. I glanced down at the display.

My editor. What did she want? Oh, crap, I hoped she hadn’t changed her mind and had decided to hold me to my original delivery date after all. The new book was coming along well, but it wasn’t anywhere near ready for her eagle eye yet.

I hadn’t hooked my phone up to Blay’s car system, so I pulled into the parking lot of a convenience store. By the time I cut the engine, the call had gone to voicemail, but as I picked it up to call her back, it rang again.

“Samantha.” I kept my voice light and positive. “How lovely to hear from you. How are you?”

“Not great. And I don’t think you will be either. But whatever you do, don’t panic.”

Whenever anyone said, “Don’t panic,” the first thing any sane person did was panic. My palms were so sweaty I almost dropped my phone.

“Go on.”

“There are a few trolls online who’ve targeted you, and they’re one-star bombing most of your books.”

My jaw dropped, and my heart lodged in my ribs. “Why?” I croaked. I couldn’t think of a single reason why I’d be the subject of online trolling. I kept my social media feeds professional and didn’t use my online presence to get involved in controversial subjects, preferring to steer the conversations toward books and reading. That was what mattered to me.

“It’s to do with Blaize Kingcaid.”

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