63. Reckoning Day

SIXTY-THREE

The doorbell rang right before I was due for my meeting with Damsel Publishing. I'd been situated in my library, enduring one of Lottie's pep talks. Parker hadn't texted or emailed yet, and I was about to start gnawing on my nails with anxiety.

I opened the front door without looking and stopped short when I saw a huge bouquet of flowers.

From behind the flowers a high school aged boy peeked out. "Miss Aurora James?"

"That's me." I smiled.

He handed them over and then walked back down to the vehicle. "Have a good day, Miss," he called over his shoulder.

I brought them inside and leaned against the kitchen counter. To anyone else, the bouquet would look beautiful, albeit a little random. To me, it meant everything. It was a perfect collection of alyssum, calla lilies, gladiolus, red salvia, chrysanthemum, violets and red camellias. There was a card attached, but the flowers conveyed a whole message on their own.

You blow my mind, Delilah Howard. I love you more than you know. I met with the Tempests. You are good to go for your meeting. No changes. Check the gossip sites. Chelsea found a loophole.

I'm on the next flight home to you, my love.

Kiss Lily for me.

- P

When I searched our names I found the article immediately. The headline read, "Parker and Kerrie's Relationship: Real or all for Show?"

An inside source close to James, his friend Noah Kelly, unknowingly revealed the truth about the drama surrounding the baseball star and actress.

"I've never met her," Kelly said at a red carpet charity event this evening, when asked what he thought of the separation

"Are you and Parker close?"

"Oh, definitely. My girls call him Uncle P."

"Kind of strange that you haven't met a woman he'd been dating for over a year then, huh?"

"You could say that. She's never been to any family events. The only woman I've ever heard him talk about is Delilah."

"Delilah Howard? The author that goes by Aurora James?"

"The one and only. Parker has never introduced us to anyone special in his life besides Del and his daughter."

"You seem pretty protective of them."

"Of course, they're my family. I'd do anything for them."

There you have it, folks. The air has been cleared.

"So, I know this isn't the book you were hoping for." I sighed, hands shaking under my desk where I'd been incessantly wringing them with nerves. "It's not the book my readers or the world will be expecting, but it is honest. And it's what I'm willing to share."

The team at Damsel Publishing was silent when I finished my presentation. Not a single sound reflected back to me through my computer screen. I could see them thinking it through, and I chewed the inside of my cheek while I tried to wait patiently.

Meredith, a senior editor on the team, finally broke the silence. She was a huge advocate for acquiring my books. Her eyes were kind, and her bright red lips contrasted her inky black hair beautifully.

"Personally, I love the idea." I let out a breath I'd been unknowingly holding as she continued. "It's not standard protocol to allow a change like this after a blurb is revealed, but since it was done without permission and no fault of your own, I think the circumstances allow for consideration. It's not the traditional romance novel, or fiction at all, but there is a market for what you're about to publish per the media fiasco. You'll need to decide what name you're publishing this under."

I was prepared for that question. My name was already in the media, but I had a following of my own as Aurora that I'd worked hard to build. Publishing it as myself would be the final nail in the coffin. I'd be giving anyone I knew the opportunity to ask me about my writing at the grocery store or in line at the pharmacy. But I also knew that this was a "coming out" in a way that was powerful. I was taking my power and my voice back.

"We're going to put it to a vote. Team, please raise your hand for all to see if you vote in favor of Delilah's proposal. We will need all screens turned on and silent partners to make their presence known."

One by one, four back screens turned their camera on. I didn't recognize any of the faces until the last one flicked on and Dean's face appeared.

"You've got to be kidding me," I muttered.

"Meredith, before the vote I'd like to argue against moving forward in this direction."

My heart sunk low in my chest. I'd been so close to getting everything I wanted. Of course it would all crash to the ground.

"Dean, I'm not sure what the problem could be. This is a great alternative that many other publishers would want to fight us for."

He was calm and collected. Unlike me, he wasn't caught off guard. I hated his pressed shirt and collar. His voice was triggering to my senses.

"Yes, but do we really want the liability that this author comes with? Who's to say there won't be another scandal in a few months when she breaks up with this one and wants to write his story like the others?"

"Excuse me?" I spoke up in my own defense. "I'm pretty sure the ‘scandal' I caused positively affected Damsel financially."

"This time," his dark eyes glared at me through the screen.

Lottie, who'd been quietly sitting beside me just off screen, moved into view.

"Dean, how are you?" She cocked her head to the side before shifting her attention to everyone else on the call. "Hello, I'm Delilah's attorney. Her team is willing to pay the buyout for this book and we're prepared to sell it to another publishing house if needed. You should know that Delilah has a personal history with Mr. Christoph, and what he is attempting here is blackmail."

"Pardon?" Meredith asked. "Did you know about this, Delilah?"

"How would I know if he is a silent partner?"

Lottie looked like she wanted to kill my ex. "He obviously knew and did not disclose that information to you."

"Is this true, Dean? I won't allow you to interrupt our meeting for petty grievances."

"I have no personal connection to Miss Howard." He was gaslighting me in front of all these people when I knew he was just bitter that his own actions were the reason he was fired. It was easier to blame me than own up to anything.

How stupid could he be? I pulled up my phone and opened the folder I'd thought about deleting a million times.

"Meredith, I'm sure this will suffice as proof." I held my phone up to the camera. "Dean and I were in a relationship over two years ago and we lived together. I can tell you his home address, the names of his parents, and show you that I have their numbers saved in my phone. I apologize if this is a breach of terms, but I had no idea he worked for your company and I can assure you I would have declined the deal if I knew."

"Actually, we acquired his talent after securing your contract." I saw her eyes focus on a different part of the screen. "Is this you, Dean?"

"It's hard to tell from such a grainy photo." He actually had the audacity to look calm when he was being caught red-handed.

I swiped to the next one. It felt weird to be looking at pictures of me smiling snuggled under his arm.

"Can you see this one more clearly? It looks plenty obvious to me." Meredith's face went from annoyed to downright pissed.

I spoke up, not wanting to miss the opportunity to set the record straight. "You can either leave the call, Dean, or I can air your dirty laundry right here."

He looked dumbfounded that I stood up for myself and shocked that they were listening.

"You're really going to believe this young girl over someone with my credentials?"

"I was old enough for you to think it was appropriate to date me, but not for this?"

Meredith went ahead and muted his call. "I do think women should be believed when they say a man is doing something wrong. Please leave the call. I will reach out with the paperwork for your termination." When his name was dropped from the conference, she continued. "Team, please send your vote my way and then depart."

My mind reeled as they sent in their votes and then disappeared from the call. Some smiled before leaving and others didn't even look up, so I had no idea what to expect for the outcome. I knew I could figure anything out, but a simple agreement would make my life a hell of a lot easier.

When there was no one left besides Meredith, she smiled into the camera. "I won't keep you in limbo. It was unanimous. We want this book, however you choose to write it. And please let me extend an apology on behalf of Damsel for allowing this to happen. Dean has been working remote the whole time and been pushing for in-person signing events to be added to your agenda. From now on they will be on your terms, especially since they will require more security measures."

"It's good that he's been working remotely because I"ve heard he's not to be trusted around his subordinates when in a position of authority."

The look she gave me showed she knew exactly what I meant. "Off the record, Delilah, I sure hope none of your characters have similar traits comparable to him. I don't think I'd look back on the story as fondly."

"Nah." I smiled. "I couldn"t think of enough redeeming qualities to put a positive spin on it."

Meredith nodded. "I would also assume the blurb leak came from him, so please know we will be taking legal action on behalf of you and our company. It's an automatic breach of contract."

"Fine with me."

"So…" She folded her hands in front of her. "Any plans to join us and move out to Seattle? I know you have many more books in you, but we'd be lucky to have an editor like you on our team as well."

Had I subconsciously planned for this? Did I want a reason to someday possibly be in the same city as Parker? Like Parker had signed with the Seattle affiliate all those years ago because he knew it was where I wanted to end up.

"I suppose that depends on what Parker thought of the book." I gave her a wink before saying goodbye and ending the call.

I had a bouquet to send full of snapdragons, rhododendron, and lobelia. Dean wouldn't be smart enough to know what I meant, but maybe the neanderthal would eat them.