‘What are people saying after the reader session?’ I asked her, pushing our kiss as firmly as I could to the back of my mind. ‘Can we still salvage the conference?’ I knew that Hayley had decided we couldn’t and I hated that I was losing hope.

‘Of course we can,’ Jake replied instead. ‘I told you, I’m sorry I let you down; I will do better today. Have faith in me.’

Our eyes met again and I really was desperate to trust him.

‘I think the problem is by giving them just a little bit yesterday, they want more,’ Liv said. ‘I’ve heard some wild theories going around about what the secret you wanted to hide from Davis Mulberry was. Like you have your wife hidden in your attic.’

Jake chuckled. ‘Jane Eyre is one of my favourites but there is no wife. I’ve never been married. Anything else?’

‘That all your books have been written by someone else,’ Liv said, smiling at his response like I was.

‘That’s definitely something Mulberry would be very gleeful about.’ Jake said. ‘But sadly, I have the neck pain to show for being hunched over my laptop for hours on end.’

Liv grimaced. ‘Mine gets sore by the end of a writing day too. Well, just be warned: things are getting pretty crazy out there.’ She gestured into the air. ‘I think your panel today will be packed in case you share any more secrets.’

‘I don’t think I have any more secrets, do I, Freya?’ Jake asked me, his expression innocent.

My face heated up again. ‘Um…’

‘I had an email from Hayley this morning,’ Liv said to me. ‘She told me I wasn’t posting enough on social media. Sometimes, she scares me a little bit.’

‘She was terrifying when she phoned me after Jake revealed that article was true. If I don’t do better, there won’t be a job for me when I get back home.’

‘Oh, Freya.’ Liv shook her head then gave Jake a glare. ‘Freya would make a brilliant agent. She has great instincts and as her client; you should be listening to her more.’

‘Jake isn’t my client,’ I said quickly.

‘While you’re here, he kind of is,’ she replied with a shrug.

‘I’m sorry, Liv,’ Jake said. ‘I’m doing my best. I just can’t say any more about it.’

I couldn’t look at Jake after Liv’s comment about Jake being like my client while we were here. It made our kiss feel inappropriate.

‘Well, anyway, we should probably prepare for the panel.’

‘Sure. I’m looking forward to it. Writing meet-cutes are my favourite part. I’ll save you a seat,’ Liv said. She turned to Jake. ‘Good luck!’ Then she faded away to the breakfast buffet.