In Hayley’s office, I took in my boss where she was sitting behind her desk. She looked like the tough cookie she was with her short, blonde hair, bright-blue glasses that made her eyes look even more startling blue, and today, she wore a sharp, dark suit. Hayley was in her forties and I aspired to be as successful as she was one day. Opposite her in a chair sat Jake, whose eyes turned towards the door as I walked in. I was too nervous to look back at him and so I kept my gaze on Hayley instead. I did wonder though what Jake thought of my summer dress and boots combination. The two of them looked so smart and business-like in front of me; I suddenly felt even younger than my twenty-five years.

‘Freya, I have good news…’ Hayley began. ‘I want you to go to New York.’

‘New York?’ I repeated in shock.

She nodded. ‘Yes, next week. I realise it’s short notice but I have my sister’s wedding and I tried to tell her I couldn’t come but she used the words “never speak to me again”.’ Hayley rolled her eyes. I wasn’t sure if she was joking or not. ‘So, I need you to go instead. And what did you think of Jake’s new book?’ Her eyes left me and fixed on Jake. ‘Freya read it over the weekend.’

‘Oh.’ Jake turned in his chair and I felt his eyes on me. ‘Is that so?’

It took my brain a second to take in everything Hayley had just said. I was still stunned about her telling me I needed to go to New York, let alone asking me to tell Jake what I thought about his book. I felt under pressure from their gazes.

I swallowed hard and forced myself to focus on Jake’s question. ‘Y… yes,’ I stuttered a little before finding a stronger voice. ‘I thought it was beautiful. I honestly had tears in my eyes at the end.’

‘There. See?’ Hayley thumped the desk and I jumped a little. ‘I told you it’s one of your best books, Jake.’

I risked a peek at Jake and he was still looking at me.

‘I’m glad it won you two over but we have no idea if my publishers will ever agree to bring it out,’ he said finally, moving his gaze from me and onto Hayley. ‘But you think this will work?’

‘I do,’ she replied briskly. ‘I pulled in all my favours to get you into the conference and your publishers will see the romance community still want, no they still need, Jake Richards’ books in their lives. So…’ She turned back to me. ‘You’ll go to New York, Freya? I remember you said you’ve always wanted to go. I’ll need you there for five days.’