“She also said I need to stop falling in love for at least a year.”
Perdie’s jaw dropped. “Seriously, how did I not know this?”
“You’re a bad listener.”
Just then, there was a knock on the door. Perdie and Lucille exchanged a look.
Lucille tiptoed over, opening the door slowly to find Carter and Peanut Butter standing right in front of her. Lucille gasped as the enormous animal nosed her hand for pets.
“Hey, I forgot my—What?” Carter had asked. “Are you okay?”
“Is this your dog, Carter? Because I’m sorry, this is my dog.”
Carter had taken it all in good humor. He didn’t mind sharing joint custody of Peanut Butter.
And just like that, a new family unit had emerged.
Lucille fell into the habit of bringing Peanut Butter to the flower shop with her. Peanut Butter would return home with daisy chain crowns adorning his head. Quite the sight.
Perdie checked her phone. “All right, well, I’ve got a deposition to get to.”
Carter tapped the side of his cheek with his finger and Perdie pushed up to kiss him. “I know you’re busy with your new job, but don’t forget to give your orchid ice cubes today before you get out there doing good.”
Lucille had been teaching Carter the way of the flower lately, their bonding activity. Perdie relished the blossoming friendship between the two.
“I would never neglect my orchids.” She walked by and squeezed Aubrey’s shoulder. “Aubrey, you did right by us with the house. I can’t thank you enough. And tell Max I say hi.”
Unexpectedly, Aubrey pulled Perdie into a hug, talking directly into Perdie’s ear. “I’ll let him know. This has been the most exciting year of my life.”
“Um, okay.” Perdie extracted herself from the overly exuberant embrace, double-checked the buttons on her shirt, and adjusted the underwire digging into her flesh. Some things would never change.
“Ah, you’re finally here.” Jennifer handed Perdie a stack of documents, and then with a disapproving frown began to smooth the hairs of Perdie’s ponytail. “Your hair is everywhere.”
Sophia tapped idly at her phone and glanced up at Perdie. “You ready for this? This is gonna feel real good.”
Perdie nodded, hand on the door to the deposition room. “Born ready. Let’s get ’em.”
The three women filed into the room and took their seats.
Perdie set her vintage Louis Vuitton briefcase in front of her, snapped it open, and regarded the men across the table with a smile. “Why hello, Charles. Hello, Frank.”
Acknowledgments
There are so many people to thank for the completion of this book.
First, to everyone at the writing critique site that shall never be named—Ann, Sierra, Shruti, Bigga—your critiques, advice, friendship, and encouragement were invaluable. I’m so grateful you took interest in my chaotic first draft.
To Mary Ann Marlowe, thank you, thank you for the kindness and generosity you showed me during a mega freak-out period of my life and the amazing help you provided with my query letter.
To my Tall, Dark & Fictional podcast cohost and fellow romance writer, Beatrix Strand, your why-the-fuck-not attitude, patience, humor, and brainstorming capabilities have gotten me through so many hard writing times (and there have been many). 10/10 would recommend friendship again.
To fellow romance writer Elaine Reed, for giving me feedback that soothed my prickly soul during a period of great tumult. Thank you for your considerate, smart words and willingness to invest your time in my manuscript even though I’d done nothing to deserve it.
To Instagram stranger turned real friend and all-around cool person with a monkey-dog like mine, Bailey (and Roscoe), your exuberant willingness to read a near stranger’s unpublished romance novel was both exciting and touching. And thank you for your smart story suggestions as well, which I implemented. And thanks for all the memes too.
To Lottie Lucille. Another Instagram stranger and fellow romance writer who agreed to read my manuscript and then went above and beyond with smart, thoughtful, thorough, on-the-money feedback. What amazing luck. Can’t wait to return the favor.
To Beth. You were the first person to ever read this story. I would have quite literally quit on chapter one if it weren’t for your quiet encouragement. Your kind, nonjudgmental presence gave me the will to continue on to the next page and then the next. Forever grateful.
To my partner. You were the first person to ever call me a writer even though I’d proven myself exactly zero times. You are never surprised when I succeed. Your incredibly thoughtful and exacting insight make me feel seen. Thanks, boo.
To K-pop. For obvious reasons.
To Deborah Nemeth for walking me through every step of the process and being such a skilled, patient, calm, and talented editor. Thank you so much.
And lastly, to my dogs Ozzie and Griff. The real MVPs. You can’t read, but you are/were always, always there for me, and that’s way more important. And to Ozzie, my Ozzie Bear, the little dog of my heart and soul, thank you for unselfishly staying with me until the very end. Had I known you’d have to go when I finished, I would’ve never finished. I’d give anything to have you back, but you were and are too good and pure for this whole bad world. I love you so much. Thank you.
About the Author
Cat Wynn lives in a cozy house in Charleston, South Carolina, with her longtime partner and geriatric rescue dog. You can find her website at www.catwynnauthor.com and her Instagram and Twitter @catwynnauthor.
A meet-cute gone wrong is the start of a surprising courtship in this fresh, modern take on the workplace romance.
Keep reading for an excerpt from Hot Copy by debut author Ruby Barrett.
Chapter 1: Wesley
This elevator is sweltering. Or maybe it’s just the combination of my nerves and this suit that’s making me feel like the air is thick enough to choke on. I tug at my tie. After two years of wearing nothing but jeans and T-shirts, the silk feels like a noose. The only piece of clothing I am comfortable in are my socks.
