“Sure,” she said with a confused expression. “I’d love to be that person who could just sit in a country cottage clacking away on a novel, but I have to eat.”

She had a point. There was such a thing as a starving artist, but Aiden also knew how easy it was to give up a dream. When Antonia worked or described her book to him, he could tell she got high on her own creativity. It was so simple to dismiss that feeling in favor of practicality. “If you could sit in the country and write, would you really?”

Antonia rolled her eyes. “It’s hard to think about it like that when it’s still a hobby.”

“This can’t just be a hobby,” he tried. “Your book can’t be like building a model airplane.”

She sat up straight in her chair. “Okay, it’s different, but without a clear idea of what kind of time I can spend on a novel, I’d rather keep it at hobby level.”

“Look, as I see it, you’ve got so many things working in your favor: you were in publishing. You’ve already got the industry connections, you already understand how the submission process works.” He ticked the points off on his fingers. “Plus, I read some of your book. You’re a damn good writer, darling.”

Her eyes widened as her mouth fell open. “You what?”

Aiden winced. “I’m sorry,” he said. “But I couldn’t resist a peek.”

“This is incredibly personal,” she hissed, the redness in her face no longer from his teasing. She appeared genuinely angry with his intrusion. “I haven’t even let my best friend read this and you thought you could just sneak a peek?”

Okay, he definitely fucked up. “Would it help if I told you that you were brilliant?”

Antonia’s brow knotted. “No, it wouldn’t,” she said. “You’ve basically read my diary. A diary where I fumble around in the dark while trying to describe men’s cocks. It’s not exactly something I’d show a man who I’ve only known for four days. And please don’t think you can tell me what to do with my career after I’ve just been fired. Derek did enough of that and I wouldn’t mind thinking for myself for a change.”

She’s comparing me to that arse? As far as he was concerned, he’d given her no reason to believe he was a cheater or a liar. “Please don’t think I presume to know everything about you, but I know I’m not this idiot Derek. I’m actually being supportive” he said, trying to temper his frustration. “I’m only suggesting lessons I’ve learned over time. Having confidence in your ability is really important for someone in your field.”

“I’m not in a field yet, Aiden. I haven’t even finished this book.” She glared at him again, her eyes narrowed and burning with irritation. “I’m sure the cozy world of academia has its fair share of stressors. Let’s see, before the summer is over you need to write an eight-page conference paper and a book proposal? My biggest concern is finding a job when I get back to America.”