Cover Girl

“Whoa, this just hit me. Back up a minute… the man you met looks like the guy on the Soul Mate cover?”

“Dead ringer for our computer generated hero. After I spilled coffee on him the restaurant manager gave him a clean shirt. I caught a glimpse.” She licked her lips. “It’s the Soul Mate cover boy, though unlike the virtual version this one is actually real.”

“Hell, you don’t have two cute guys. You’ve got one cute guy and one fantasy.”

“Whatever. They’re both nice.”

“This is getting too weird. You meet one guy who looks like the hunk on the first book you discovered while your life parallels the novel you’re about to edit.”

“Yeah, stranger than fiction, huh? Maybe one will actually be my real soul mate.”

Gretch took her shoulders and turned her so they were face to face. “Keira, this isn’t you. You’ve never done the ‘playing the field’ thing.”

“Maybe it’s time for me to broaden my horizons.”

“Well, if you are to proceed without getting burned you’ll need the rules.”

“Rules?”

“The Book of Gretch has rules for the care and feeding of multiple boyfriends. If you wanna do this right, you need to be able to juggle relationships like a circus performer.”

“I thought you weren’t doing that anymore.”

“Hey, I’m still a recovering skank. I just keep missing the meetings. And I’m only on step three.”

Keira nodded as she ran her eyes up and down Gretch’s outfit, a short black-leather skirt and tight red gathered top. “Yeah, I see you’re back to your party girl collection.”

“I wore this on purpose, for Alexander.”

“Excuse me?”

“To prove my point. And guess what, dear boss? The man didn’t even notice. He only has eyes for you.”

I was afraid of this.

She wants to change my book.

Alex shook his head as he went over Keira’s notes that were spread out across the round table in the small room along with his printed manuscript. The red pens sticking out of a coffee mug in the center of the table may as well have been swords dripping with blood. His pulse spiked a bit as he saw his vision being changed. Then he took in the fact that the walls were lined floor-to-ceiling with books, many of which were bestsellers.

Breathe, Alex. You knew this was coming. Every author goes through this, even the famous ones. And for what she paid you—

Don’t get upset with her.

He looked up as she opened the door. Keira’s apologetic look with those spectacular eyes and a slight pout sucked the stress from his body.

She was one of those women at whom it was impossible to be mad. With the red hair and freckles it would be like getting angry with the Little Mermaid.

“God, Alexander, I am soooo sorry I’ve kept you waiting. Honestly, I am never, ever late. I got stuck—”

“Not a problem. It happens in New York. Gretch has been keeping me busy going over some of your proposed changes.”

Keira grabbed a chair, sat, and slid it in to the table. She offered a soft smile, reached over and patted his hand. “Thank you for being so understanding.”

“Hey, forget it. No biggie.”

She pointed to the legal pad that contained her notes. “So, I trust you’ve got some thoughts on my suggestions for the opening of the book.”

His face tightened. “Yeah, and Gretch explained your thinking on them.”

“Okay. I can tell from the look on your face you’re not thrilled. So let me start by saying nothing I suggest is written in stone. I’m not a dictator and the whole editing procedure is a give-and-take process. My job is to make this book the best it can be, but I want the author to be comfortable with what I’m suggesting. So if there’s anything you or your cousin don’t like, or something you guys absolutely hate, don’t hold back. We’re a team, Alexander, and it’s always important for you to remember that. I have no desire to change the basic story, which is fantastic.”