Page 32 of Between the Lines

After a few quiet steps, Blaise said, “I got another email this morning.”

Brick looked at her. “From a publisher?”

“Yes. A different one.”

He didn’t react right away, which she appreciated. He seemed to be waiting for her to tell him more.

She obliged. “Not an offer,” she said. “But not a pass either. They want to talk just like the first one. Ask some questions. That kind of thing.”

“That sounds promising,” he said simply.

“It does,” she agreed. “It feels…real. Like they actually liked what they read.”

Brick nodded. “I’m sure they did if they sent that email.”

She laughed softly at that, a weird sense of tension filling her. Nerves, probably. The anticipation of what might be. “I keep reminding myself it’s still a maybe.”

“Sure,” he said. “But it’s a strong maybe or they wouldn’t want to talk.”

They turned a corner, Beau quickening his pace like he knew exactly where they were going. Despite the electric feeling of anticipation, Blaise felt lighter than she had when they’d left the house.

“I’m proud of you,” Brick said, not looking at her, like it was just a fact.

She swallowed. “Thank you.”

They walked on, the morning stretching open in front of them, Beau leading the way.

Brick glanced over at her as they crossed the street. “Have you told Evan yet?”

They stopped as Beau paused to sniff a mailbox post with great concentration, then he decided it was a good place to pee.

“No,” she said. “I haven’t.”

Brick nodded. “Any particular reason?”

She considered the question as they started walking again. “I don’t want to tell him until there’s something concrete.” She lifted one shoulder. “He worries about me. I don’t want this to turn into another thing he feels like he has to manage.”

“I can understand.” Then Brick went quiet for a few steps. “He’s protective.”

“He is,” Blaise said. “And I get it. But sometimes it becomes more than that and he gets to thinking I can’t handle uncertainty. Or risk. Or more like I shouldn’t handle it.” She shook her head slightly. “I need to do this without him hovering.”

Brick glanced at her then.

“I know,” she said, reading his look. “But I’m not shutting him out. I will tell him. Just not yet.”

They walked on, the sun higher and warming the air. Beau tugged gently toward a patch of grass he clearly considered worth further investigation.

Blaise let the leash out.

“For what it’s worth,” Brick said. “I think you’re right not to tell him yet. You don’t owe anyone an announcement until you’re ready.”

Blaise smiled at that. “Thanks.”

They turned toward home, the neighborhood fully awake now, and Blaise felt quietly sure of one thing.

When she did tell Evan, it would be on her terms. And it wouldn’t be until there was a done deal.

Chapter Thirteen