Chapters (61)
We left a long pause. I could practically hear Davis’s rapid heartbeat down the phone line. Simon and I grinned across at each other, thoroughly enjoying winding Davis up a little bit. I don’t think anyone would have blamed us for having a little bit of fun with him.
‘Guys!’ Davis cried then, his patience evaporating.
Simon nodded then and I nodded back. We had to put him out of his misery. ‘Number one,’ Simon said.
‘It’s gone straight to the top,’ I added.
There was another silence.
‘I’m sorry, what?’ Davis asked, his voice quiet like he was far away. He sounded dazed. I understood the feeling perfectly.
‘You’re number one on the Sunday Times Bestseller List,’ I repeated.
‘This isn’t a wind up, is it, Freya?’ Davis asked suspiciously. ‘Are you getting me back for everything that happened in New York? I won’t blame you if you are…’
I giggled. ‘No, Davis. Your editor should be emailing you the list right now so you’ll see it in black and white.’
‘Your first book to go straight to the top,’ Simon added. ‘Well done, mate. We all worked so hard on this; it’s a great result.’
Davis went quiet. I could hear a tapping sound. ‘He has just emailed… Oh my God. You aren’t winding me up. There I am.’ Davis whistled. ‘Who would have thought adding in some romance would have this effect?’
‘You take back everything you said about romance books then, Davis?’ I asked, raising an eyebrow.
He sighed. ‘I think I might have to. Jake’s just sent me his book to read and I’m kind of getting into it.’
‘Wonders never cease,’ I replied.
‘You two make a weirdly good team,’ Simon said then. ‘I know this agency will be in good hands when I retire,’ he added.
Pride swelled inside my chest. I knew I had a long way to go before I was anywhere close to Simon’s capabilities as an agent, he had decades of experience after all, but I was so keen and enjoying everything about my new job so far.
‘I wouldn’t be here without either of you,’ Davis said then. He coughed a little uncomfortably. ‘Now, I need to go and gloat on social media!’
‘There’s the Davis we know and love,’ Simon said as Davis hung up. ‘Well done, Freya.’
‘It was a team effort,’ I said but I smiled, pleased. My phone lit up with a message from Jake.
Just saw Davis say his book is number one. Congratulations baby!
My smile broadened. I loved how Jake supported me and my career, how we supported each other. I could never have guessed what a big part of my life he would become this year.
But like a good book, life was better when you had no idea what the next chapter might bring.