Arriving at SeaTac, Alice was there, bouncing on her toes
and vibrating with excitement. When she saw her best friend, she sprinted to
her and nearly knocked her over with her exuberance. “Bella! Bella! You have to
tell me everything,” she gushed.
“I already did, Ali,” Bella said, pealing her best friend
from her body. “And be careful. I rolled my foot this morning and it’s really
hurting.”
“Did Dr. Feel Good make you feel good?” she asked, waggling
her brows.
“Ugh, Alice,” Bella sighed, swiping her luggage from the
carousel. “I’ll tell you all about it after the meeting with Jane. I need to
keep my focus on that since I’m nervous about my next novel. Yes, the editors
and pre-readers liked it, but Jane is always wanting to push the envelope.”
“That’s why I think you should do a BDSM novel. All of the
romance novelists are doing it,” Alice said, taking Bella’s bag. Together they
walked out of the airport and into the garage.
“Just because all of the romance novelists are doing it
doesn’t mean I should,” Bella argued. “I may think of doing a sequel to Mafia Princess. Everyone loved Caden and
Antonia with their epic love story. I could do something where Antonia is
sucked back into the world of the mob and Caden follows her. Or something
happens to Caden that makes him go to the dark side?”
“Well, if you don’t do that, I still that the story of you
and Edward reuniting would be one steamy novel,” Alice snickered.
“Not happening!” Bella sang. Alice huffed and pulled into
the parking of the publishing company, New Moon Publishing, that marketed
Bella’s books. Grabbing Bella’s laptop bag and her worn manuscript, they rode
up the elevator to the top floor. Bella walked to the receptionist. “I have an
appointment with Jane at one. My name is Bella Swan.”
“Oh, she’s expecting you. Conference room one,” the kindly
receptionist smiled. Bella nodded and walked to the large conference room just
off the entrance of the office. The office was bustling with editors, artists,
pre-readers and publicity. It was a chic, modern office with exposed brick,
sleek red accents and funky industrial lighting. There was also a never ending
scent of sandalwood wafting throughout the office. Jane believed it helped
everyone think better.
In the conference room, there were large posters with cover
art, all with the title of Bella’s up and coming book, Friends with Benefits. Jane turned around, looking like a vampire
with long, black hair that was curled, similar to a Vargas girl. Her skin was
nearly translucent; it was so pale. Her lips were red and eyes perfectly done with
smoky shadow. “Isabella!” Jane cooed, teetering to Bella and hugging her
tightly. “How was your trip down memory lane?”
“Interesting,” Bella said, sitting down at the conference
table. “But a lot of fun. I reconnected with a few friends from high school.”
“She fucked dreamboat,” Alice said bluntly, sitting down and
giving Bella a cheeky grin.
“Why am I friends with you?” Bella sighed.
Bella
Alice
New Moon Publishing
Jane, Bella's Editor
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