Chapter 4 - THE NOVEL NOBODY WAS SUPPOSED TO READ
The next morning, Adrienne asked about my book.
We sat in the sunroom.
Coffee steamed between us.
Lake Michigan glittered beyond the windows.
He held a copy of The Quiet Between Storms.
I stared.
“Where did you get that?”
He smiled.
“Your publisher's website.”
I blinked.
“You bought it?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
He looked confused.
“Because I wanted to read it.”
My heart tightened.
Daniel had never read a single chapter.
Not one.
He had once told me fiction was a waste of time.
Now a Mafia boss was sitting across from me with my novel in his hands.
I laughed nervously.
“It's probably not your kind of book.”
Adrienne raised an eyebrow.
“What's my kind of book?”
I smiled.
“Something with guns.”
He looked amused.
“Your book has a murder in chapter six.”
I froze.
“You read it?”
He nodded.
“Last night.”
My mouth fell open.
“The whole thing?”
“Yes.”
I stared.
Then whispered:
“What did you think?”
His expression softened.
“I think you understand loneliness better than most people.”
My throat tightened.
He continued.
“And I think your protagonist spends too much time believing she has to earn love.”
I looked down.
For a moment, I couldn't speak.
Then I whispered:
“Maybe she does.”
Adrienne studied me.
Then said quietly:
“Maybe her author did too.”
May you like
My eyes filled.
And for the first time in years, I felt truly seen.
