Page 9 of The Write Midlife

Carmen shuffled some papers on her desk. "Well, I have some news. Carlisle Publishing is making some changes, and it's going to affect you."

Her stomach dropped. "What kind of changes?"

"They're bringing in a new editor for your next book. Someone they say has a 'fresh perspective' on the romance genre."

She frowned. "But I liked working with Sarah. She understood my vision."

"I know, darling. But Sarah's been moved to a different department. This new editor... well, let's just say the higher-ups have high hopes for him."

"Him?" she repeated, her frown deepening. "Great. Just what I need. Some guy who probably thinks romance novels are all heaving bosoms and throbbing members."

"Give him a chance, Melody. Who knows? He might surprise you."

She slumped in her chair. "I doubt it. You know how hard I've worked to write romances that are real, Carmen. Characters with flaws, relationships that take work. What if this new guy wants me to write cookie-cutter happily-ever-afters?"

"Then you fight for your vision," Carmen said firmly. "That's what I'm here for. To back you up."

She nodded, but she couldn't shake the knot of anxiety in her stomach. "When do I meet this paragon of editorial wisdom?"

Carmen checked her calendar. "Tomorrow afternoon. 2 PM at Carlisle Publishing."

"Fantastic," she muttered. "I can't wait."

As Carmen went over some other business matters, her mind wandered back to Nate. She wondered what he was doing right now. Was he thinking about her? Or had he already forgotten their night together?

"Melody? Earth to Melody!" Carmen's voice snapped her back to reality.

"Sorry, what?"

She sighed. "I said, do you have any questions about tomorrow's meeting?"

She shook her head, trying to focus. "No, I think I've got it. Meet new editor, defend my artistic vision, try not to commit homicide if he suggests I write about sparkly vampires."

Carmen laughed. "That's my girl. Now go home and get some rest. And for God's sake, stop mooning over this Nate character. He's not worth it."

"Right. No mooning. Got it."

As she left Carmen's office, she couldn't help but feel like she was standing on the edge of something big. A new editor could mean big changes for her career, for better or worse. And yet, as she stepped out into the rainy Seattle afternoon, her mind kept drifting back to a pair of blue eyes and a crooked smile.

She hailed a taxi, giving the driver her address. As they weaved through traffic, she pulled out her phone and opened her notes app. Despite her anxiety about tomorrow's meeting, a new story idea was already forming in her mind. A tale of missed connections, of two people who share one magical night and then struggle to find their way back to each other.

She started typing furiously, barely noticing as the taxi pulled up to her apartment building. She paid the driver and hurried inside, still lost in her fictional world.

Tomorrow, she would worry about new editors and career changes. But for now, she let herself get lost in a world where love wasn't just a one-night stand, where people fought for their happily ever afters.

As she settled onto her couch with her laptop, she couldn't help but smile. Who knows? Maybe this new story would be her best one yet. And maybe, just maybe, it would help her figure out what she really wanted—both in her career and in her love life.

The rain continued to fall outside her window, a constant backdrop to the words flowing from her fingertips.

She wrote late into the night, fueled by coffee and the lingering memory of Nate's touch. Tomorrow would bring new challenges, but for now, she lost herself in the world of her characters, where anything was possible and love always found a way.

FOUR

Nate strodeinto Carlisle Publishing's sleek lobby, his shoes clicking against the polished marble floor. The receptionist, a smiley redhead named Stacy, greeted him with her usual enthusiasm.

"Good morning, Mr. Carlisle! Your father's waiting for you in the conference room."

He nodded, forcing a smile. "Thanks, Stacy. And please, it's just Nate."