CHAPTERONE
Faye Holmesrarely lost the will to live. Her life was generally pleasant day-to-day. But this morning…she was contemplating gouging her eyes out with the coffee-stained teaspoon in front of her. Writer’s block had hit.Damn it!She rubbed at her eyes, squinting as she focused on her laptop screen. This…wasn’t ideal. She needed some fire in her belly, something to inspire her. She needed…some bloody ideas.
Maybe if the romance writer had her own romance, things would be different. Maybe if she didn’t keep herself holed up at home, the potential for exactly that may be possible. Faye scoffed. Her life was plain and boring, simple as that.
Her eyes fell to the window of the bistro. She watched people mill about outside, rushing to reach their destinations. Some frantic, some strolling along without a care in the world, some couples holding hands as they browsed shop windows. Faye smiled. She could people watch all day. Maybe it was the writer in her that took an interest in other people’s lives…maybe she was just a nosey cow. Either way, people watching was her favourite thing to do. And recently, it was why she’d decided to spend most of her time in her local bistro. Now her issue was that instead of tapping away at her keyboard, the general public seemed much more interesting.
“Hey,” A soft voice pulled Faye from her thoughts. “Can I get you a refill?”
Faye looked up at the dark-haired server, smiling.Oh, wow…“That would be great.” She eyed the nametag. “Thank you, Talia.”
Faye didn’t recall seeing Talia here before, and she’d spent so much time outside of her own place lately that she woulddefinitelyremember a woman like her. She had the most beautiful brown eyes—the kind you got lost in—and a tall, slender figure. Even covered by a blue pinstripe shirt, Faye could see how perfectly sculpted Talia’s shoulders were.
Okay, calm down.
Faye turned her attention back to her laptop, pinching the bridge of her nose. If she could just put some words on the screen, words that actually made sense, that would be a start for the day. It wouldn’t necessarily turn out to be anything life changing, but it beat a blank document. Her editor would have a lot to say if she didn’t come up withsomething.
“Here.” Talia placed a fresh cappuccino down beside Faye’s MacBook, offering a gentle smile as she slid a blueberry muffin onto the table beside it. “I know you didn’t order it, but I’ve thrown it in anyway. You look like you need a bit of happiness, and the muffins are amazing.”
“They…are.” Faye side-eyed the clock above the counter. How did Talia know she usually ordered a muffin around midday? “Best in the city.”
“Well, have a lovely day. And whatever you do, don’t burn a hole through that screen. Those laptops are pricey.” Talia glanced down at the book sitting behind Faye’s laptop—her latest bestseller—and picked it up. “Have you started this yet?”
Faye cleared her throat. “No, not yet. I haven’t had the time.”
“You should make time.” Talia smiled, running her fingers over the cover. For a split second, she seemed to float off into a world of her own. Faye couldn’t help but stare. “I read half of it this morning before I left for work. You won’t be disappointed.”
“Maybe I’ll give it a whirl tonight with a glass of wine.” Faye smiled, studying Talia’s eyes. Dark, expressive…beautiful. “Thanks for the muffin.”
“N-no problem.” A blush swept up Talia’s neck as she lowered her eyes. “And maybe if you’re back in here again on Monday, we can discuss what you think about the book.”
Faye should tell Talia she was the author of said book, shouldn’t she?
“I, uh…yes, I’d love to.” She knew what she was capable of, but that didn’t mean she went out of her way to tell people who she was. It made life much easier if she remained faceless, especially to the local community. “Have a lovely weekend.”
“You too.” Talia turned, heading back behind the counter and into the kitchen.
And then a message pinged on Faye’s screen.
Phoebe: Taking you out tonight. Pick you up at 10.
Faye: I’m not sure I feel up to it, but thanks.
Phoebe: I’m not taking no for an answer. Be ready for 10 or I’ll drag you out in your pyjamas.
Faye rolled her eyes as she minimised the message box, blowing out a breath. She didn’t want to roam the streets tonight. It was cold. She’d much prefer to be at home and working on her manuscript. Something she should have been doing for the last few weeks.
Curling her fingers around her coffee cup, Faye sat back and trained her eyes on the outside world again. There may only have been glass separating them, but she felt a million miles away.
* * *
Satisfied with her outfit,Faye groaned as she took her clutch bag from the bed. She loved her apartment in the city, it was warm and cosy, so why was she standing in a little black dress and heels in the middle of winter? Because Faye’s best friend, Phoebe, had plans for tonight. And those plans would probably involve Phoebe setting Faye up with someone she had nothing in common with. One hint of Faye’s personality, learning that she loved to be home and working, and they never called again. It was the same old story every single time.Come on, it’s Friday night. Live a little.
Faye flicked her hair, blew herself a kiss in the mirror, and headed for the living room.
Phoebe would be outside and less than impressed if Faye didn’t get her act together and leave the apartment. She drained her wine glass, placed it in the kitchen sink, and headed for the door. Her feet were already letting her know how unimpressed they were to be hitting the pavement tonight, but once Faye was in a bar and sitting down, she knew she’d have an enjoyable night. It was just the getting off the couch phase she had issues with.
Phoebe: Sometime today would be perfect!