Page 13 of No Control
“As appealing as that sounds…no. Like I said, it’s too good to be true.”
She sighs on the other end of the line. “Or maybe you’re just not giving yourself enough credit, Lydia. You’re a great writer, and you’ve worked with some big names. Maybe the guy knows that, and he cares about his book. He wants to work closely with you on the project? I feel like that’s how it used to be before technology advanced.”
“I don’t know… What if...” I can barely bring myself to say it aloud again. “What if he wants more?”
“You mean, he wants you close so he can sleep with you? Like what Mason said?”
“Yeah,” I mumble. “I know it sounds insane. He just planted the seed in my head, and now I can’t let it go.”
“Maybe because you want it to be like that?”
“No.” Maybe.
“Maybe Henry was a good reason to call it off with Mason? Maybe it was the push you needed to get out.”
I run my fingers through my hair and groan, feeling exasperated. “I don’t know. The whole contract thing was the reason I broke up with Mason—but it was coming. We knew it was. I just…needed a reason to call it off. He never treated me all that great...”
“He treated you like shit,” Emma says softly. “You deserved better. No matter what your family says about him.”
“Yeah, but now I’ll probably never have kids.”
“Well, it’s better to have them with the right person when you’re older than with the wrong person when you’re in your prime—but really, I think you should consider the book contract. Or, if you don’t like the terms, just negotiate ones that you’re more comfortable with.”
“I guess I could mention it. I just hate confrontation.”
“You can do it. The money would be worth it.”
I bite down on my lip, my eyes sweeping to the kitchen in desperate need of updates. “It would be helpful...”
“And you won’t have Mason chipping in anymore—not that he did all that much. The man was unreliable at best.”
“I guess,” I say, a slight pang of heartache tugging at me. Even though I know I’d fallen out of love with him—or something of the sorts—when he refused to set a date for the wedding, it still leaves me feeling lonely knowing it's over. It's the pain of starting all over, and no contract, no matter how big the number, can change that.
“I know it’s been hard for you,” Emma continues, “and it’s going to be hard moving forward, but you can do this.”
“He only proposed because of the pressure my family put on him.”
“And that’s why you’re not close to your own freaking family anymore. They should’ve let it die, not try to shove marriage down your throat. And he was the problem the whole time, anyway.”
“I know,” I sigh. As much as she’s right, however, I don’t want to talk about it anymore. My eyes flicker to the clock, seeing that it’s nearly midnight. “But I think I’m gonna call it a night.”
“Okay, well, like I said, consider the offer—and if you want to ensure there’s nothing more to it, just ask.”
“Right, I know. Good night.” I hang up the phone after she returns the good night, and I let out a sigh, making my way to the bedroom. Duke lazily follows me down the hall, and I close the door behind us, flipping the lock. It’s a habit I’ve created any time Mason isn’t here.
The new norm now.
I glance down at my phone, thankful he hasn’t reached out again and plug it into the charger. Flipping back the covers, I crawl into bed as Duke settles in on the opposite side. And just as I close my eyes…
My phone vibrates against the nightstand.
six
Henry
Any thoughts on the deal?
I probably shouldn’t have sent the message—I told myself I wouldn’t—but as I lean against the log siding of the house, my eyes drift to the bedroom window, barely illuminated by the glow of a lamp or dimmed light.
