Talk about being thrown in at the deep end.

* * *

After a restless sleep, I headed downstairs to meet Liv for breakfast. I messaged Jake and asked him to meet me before his podcast interview so we could strategise about what he was going to say. I was hoping that a strong coffee and some bacon would help fuel me for what was looking like a long and stressful day ahead.

I went to the buffet and filled up a plate then searched the room until I saw Liv, who waved. I smiled and went over, seeing that she wasn’t alone but had been joined by fellow romance author Tessa Elliot.

‘Hey, ladies,’ I greeted, sitting down, feeling better for seeing the two friendly faces. Liv and Tessa had become friends through Liv’s best friend Stevie, who was Tessa’s publicist, and we had all hung out together a few times. Tessa was Liv’s age, with highlighted hair and while Liv and I both wore dresses this morning, she looked cool and comfy in jeans and a t-shirt.

‘I went a bit crazy at the buffet,’ I told them with a rueful smile.

‘Is it even a hotel stay if you don’t?’ Liv quipped, gesturing to their similarly full plates.

‘I think we’ll need the energy,’ Tessa said. ‘It’s a full-on itinerary, isn’t it? I always get nervous at things like this.’

Liv nodded. ‘Me too but everyone here is on our side, right? We all love romance books.’

‘They are definitely on your side,’ I agreed as I took a long gulp of my coffee and then a big bite of toast. ‘Unfortunately, I won’t have the same luck. What with having to chaperone Jake Richards,’ I said, unable to help myself from starting to go off on a rant again. ‘I mean, I have no idea how anyone is going to react to him today; I’ve been running nightmarish scenarios through my head about it and Hayley just seems to think I’ll be able to help him win everyone over but what if we’re trying to do something that’s impossible? And then yesterday, I found out he’s on a panel with his author arch-enemy, which Hayley failed to mention in advance to either of us, and honestly, I have no idea if Jake can turn on enough charm to turn things around but both of our careers depend on it and…’

Liv cleared her throat loudly as Tessa waved her cutlery in the air and plastered on a bright smile. I looked confused at them, my words trailing off.

‘Morning,’ came a tight voice from behind my shoulder.

My cheeks immediately flushed as I looked up into Jake’s eyes. There he was again, overhearing things that I really wished he wouldn’t. When was I going to learn?