Page 74 of The Write Midlife

She smiled, warmth spreading through her chest. Oh yes, tonight was going to be interesting indeed.

FORTY

Nate arrivedat Melody's pre-order launch, his heart racing like he was about to jump out of a plane without a parachute. The Emerald City Book Shop was packed, the air buzzing with anticipation and the scent of fresh ink. He adjusted his tie for the hundredth time, feeling like he was about to make history or become a cautionary tale in Publishing Weekly.

"Alright, Carlisle," he muttered under his breath. "Time to either make history or become a cautionary tale in Publishing Weekly."

He scanned the crowd, searching for Melody. When he spotted her, his breath caught in his throat. She was radiant in a sleek black dress, her auburn hair piled into an elegant updo high above her shoulders. She was talking animatedly with a group of readers, her eyes sparkling with passion, a few tendrils of soft hair spilling towards her face.

And she had never looked more fucking gorgeous.

Before he could make his way to her, a hand clapped his shoulder. He turned to see Alex, his smile peeking beneath his ginger-hued beard.

"Look at you, Romeo," Alex teased. "Ready to storm the castle and rescue your fair maiden from the evil publishing empire?"

"First, never call me Romeo again. Second, Melody doesn't need rescuing. And third... I think I might throw up."

Alex laughed, steering him towards the bar. "Liquid courage it is, then. One 'Career Suicide on the Rocks' coming right up."

As they waited for their drinks, Nate spotted his mother across the room. She caught his eye and gave him a subtle nod. At least someone in his family was on his side.

The emcee's voice cut through the chatter, announcing the start of the event. Nate downed his drink in one gulp, ignoring Alex's impressed whistle.

"Ladies and gentlemen," the emcee announced, "please welcome the woman of the hour, the author who’s, once again, about to set the literary world on fire – Melody Archer!"

The crowd erupted in applause as Melody took the stage. She looked nervous but determined, her chin held high. As she began to speak about her book, her passion shone through, captivating the audience.

Nate found himself moving closer to the stage, drawn in by her words. This was it. The moment of truth.

As Melody finished her speech, Nate made his way to the stage. The emcee looked confused but handed him the microphone when he gestured for it.

"Thank you, Melody," Nate said, his voice surprisingly steady. "Ladies and gentlemen, if I could have your attention for a moment."

The room fell silent, all eyes on him. He caught Melody's gaze, seeing confusion and a hint of something else—hope, maybe?

"For those who don't know me, I'm Nathaniel Carlisle, Melody's editor and... well, that's part of what I want to talk about tonight."

He took a deep breath, plunging ahead before he could lose his nerve.

"Melody Archer's book isn't just a great romance novel. It's a revolution in storytelling. It challenges conventions, pushes boundaries, and reminds us why we fell in love with books in the first place."

The crowd murmured approvingly. Nate saw Melody's eyes widen in surprise.

"But getting this book to you wasn't easy. We faced resistance, pressure to conform to outdated norms. And that's why I'm here tonight, not just as Melody's editor, but as someone who believes in the future of publishing."

He paused, his eyes scanning the crowd. He spotted his father near the back, his face a mask of controlled fury. Too late to back out now.

"I'm proud to announce that Carlisle Publishing is launching a new imprint, one dedicated to author-centric publishing. We're calling it 'Vox Libris' – the Voice of Books. This imprint will focus on nurturing unique voices, pushing creative boundaries, and revolutionizing the way we approach storytelling."

The room erupted in excited chatter. Nate saw industry professionals leaning in, clearly intrigued.

"Melody's book will be the flagship title for Vox Libris. It represents everything we stand for – bold storytelling, authentic voices, and a willingness to challenge the status quo."

He turned to Melody, who was staring at him in shock and... was that admiration?

"Melody, your book isn't just a triumph for you. It's a beacon for every writer who's been told their story doesn't fit the mold. Thank you for reminding us what true creativity looks like."

The applause was deafening. Melody's eyes were shining, a brilliant smile lighting up her face. For a moment, it was just them, sharing in this triumph.