“I’m loving it. Walked Breen’s feet off yesterday.”
“Some change from your cottage in Ireland. There are days I envy you that quiet nook. It obviously works for both of you, and I hear, Marco, you’re engaged. So congratulations, best wishes, and all the rest.”
“Want to see a picture?”
Carlee gave a quick laugh. “Well, yeah.”
He pulled out his phone, scrolled through for a selfie he’d taken of himself and Brian with the Irish bay behind them.
“Good God, that much handsome could stop a heart. He’s nearly as gorgeous as you are. I hope he’ll come with you on another trip.”
“We’re planning on it.”
He put the phone away, sat again, and Carlee shifted her attention to Breen. “So, I contacted Adrian with our counter, and she took it up the chain. I just heard back from her—you’d have been walking over from your hotel. They accepted. So, we have a deal.”
“I’m sorry, what?”
“They met the terms we discussed, and from the turnaround, I’d say they expected the counter. We have a deal if you want it.”
Breen just lowered her head between her knees.
Carlee started to jump up, but Marco waved her back. “She’s okay.” He patted Breen’s back.
“I’ll get some water.”
“She’s okay, just needs a second. Don’t you cry now. You did a real good job on your eyes this morning, so don’t go ruining it. She’s going to say yes, and thanks, in a minute.”
“Not the reaction I expected,” Carlee admitted.
“Sorry.” Slowly, Breen straightened. “Sorry.”
“Don’t be. Not the reaction I expected, but it may be the best. It definitely ranks in the top three. Do you want some water?”
“No, I’m fine. I’m good. And yes, thank you to taking the deal.Thank you’s not enough. You made a dream come true.”
“I didn’t write the book.”
“You believed in it, and in me.” She looked at Marco. “Having someone believe in you, that’s everything.”
Now she took his hands. “Like I believe in you. Go talk cookbook with your agent.”
“Got me an agent.” He grinned at Carlee as he rose. “Well, I have to sign on the dotted line and all, but I got me an agent.”
“And we’re thrilled to have you.”
Breen would have floated through the day, but there was such energy all around. And the toasts at lunch, to her, to Marco, to Bollocks. The publishing talk swirled around her head like another dream.
Then the celebration dinner, with her editor’s enthusiasm for the new book, the careful suggestions for a handful of changes, and the question she hadn’t expected.
Would she consider a follow-up?
“Actually, I have an idea.”
Adrian leaned across the table. “Tell me it involves Finn. He wasn’t the one for Mila, you made the right choice there. But I really fell for him.”
“As a matter of fact. It’s just an idea that I thought I’d try to work with when I finish the current Bollocks book.”
“Can you give us a little?”