Sophie
After we sat to watch paw patrol, we sent Nathan to take a bath and sent him off to sleep. Logan and I enjoyed a quiet night as we sat to watch another movie, cuddled up on the couch and drinking a glass of wine.
By nine in the evening, he got a call from New York and had to log on to his computer for a virtual meeting with his boss in New York. Lexie made her way out of her room and sat with me on the couch. She looked pensive, giddy, and a little too happy, and I just knew something was up with her. I turned around to face her, bending my knee and resting my foot on the sofa. "Ok, spill it. Something's up. I know you, what's going on?" I said looking straight at her.
She giggles, and turns to face me, bending her knee just like me. "Sophie...my dear, dear Sophie. You look beautiful today, did I tell you that? You're glowing." she says smiling. I lift my right eyebrow, tilting my head to the side. "Ok?"
"Gamma publishing is doing book signings this upcoming winter. They'll be starting in New York, then down to Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Maryland, and so on...." she states making me realize where she was going with this. "Lexie...no. I'm not doing it. Forget it. The answer is no." I say, trying to stand up, but she pulls me back by my arm.
"Sophie, please...think about it. Your books are great hits with Gamma Publishing. Give yourself more credit for your work than what you allow yourself. This is your time to shine, to let people know who the real author of Haily Marie's books is. Come on, hun." I grunt in protest. She and my boss have been trying to get me to make an actual appearance and sign the books directly in front of people. But, I just can't. I have never liked being in the spotlight, it isn't me.
"Lexie, I said no. My answer has always been no, it's still no, and it will always be -"
"Ok, sir. I'll do that. See you soon. Bye." Logan makes his way back to the living room and hangs up his call. "I think it's a great idea, babe. Lexie is right. You always try and make yourself remain in the shadows. This is your time to shine. Your book sales might even skyrocket if you do this. I'd say go for it." he says, agreeing with Lexie.
I hang my shoulders and grunt. "But-"
"But you have to, Soph...I kind of already told him you would do it," she says shrugging her shoulders and squinting her eyes. "WHAT?" I blurted out making Logan chuckle. "How can you do this to me? Without my consent? and...and what about Nathan? Huh, I can't just take off and leave him. He can't miss school either." Logan sits by me, trailing his arm around my waist and kissing my shoulder.
"I can look after him, don't worry...besides if we need anything, I can always ask mom for help," he says smiling and winking at Lexie.
"Ok...did you forget something?" I said, stating the obvious. He looks at me thoughtfully and nods his head, "No...I don't think so. What?" he asks making me roll my eyes and turn to face him.
"Amber...McKenzie? We just told her that we would help look after her after school... How can I tell her 'Hey, you know what...never mind. Look for someone else to help'... I can't do that, Logan. Lexie, you have to cancel it. I'm not going."
Lexie twirls her hands and shrugs her shoulder, "Actually, you kind of have to. It's in your contract, and up to now, I have been able to have you avoid doing it. But the reason I told him you would do it is that he threatened to sue you if you didn't." my eyes went wide in shock at her revelation. "What?" I came forward, my eyes wide open, involuntary slapping Logan on his thigh, making him grunt.
"I'm sorry... But he was furious for having to put it off again and gave me the ultimatum. So when he told me that he'd sue you for not fulfilling your contract agreement to its fullest, I panicked. I told him you had changed your mind and were thrilled to go." I was so frustrated. How can he do this to me? This has to be a big misunderstanding. I do not remember reading that on my contract with Gamma Publishing.
*******
Logan scanned through my contract on my laptop, reading it over as we sat on the stools set on the kitchen island. He sighed, running his hands through his face. I made him a coffee and sat it down next to him. He immediately took a sip and continued to read. "So...what does it say? Can I get out of this or not?" I asked, standing in front of him across the kitchen island.
He closes the laptop and takes another sip of his coffee, looking at me with a serious face. "Sorry, baby girl. Looks like you're going to New York. It specifically says there that you are obligated to show up for book signings, and any event that they feel will benefit the production and advertisement of your books. Including... Going to these book signings he has set up for you." I can't believe this. Why the hell can I not remember reading this part? I was so excited to sign the damn contract at the time that I simply scanned through them without reading the whole thing. God... I am hating this situation right now.
"And if I fail to appear?" I asked mischievously, hoping there was a loophole for me to avoid this situation. He opens the laptop, and scans towards the part he had read about as a no-show, and slides the laptop in front of me. "You will be cited for a total of 20,000 dollars if you fail to show up or break your contract with them. If you don't want to do this I can pay for it, but if you ask me, babe... I think you should do it. You are an amazing writer. I love your work, and Lexie is right... It's your time to shine." he says as I walk to him, placing myself between his legs and engulfing him in a hug.
I need to feel comfort and support, and his arms always do the trick. "Don't worry about Nate and me... We'll figure it out. We got this, it will give us an opportunity to spend time together. And about Kenzie... I can talk to Lexie, I'll hire Nancy to look after them while I'm at work. I'm a little behind on paperwork as well, so I'll take this opportunity to both, finish up my work, and spend time with Nate. You got this, Sophie... Let yourself shine baby." He's probably right.
I can't have him pay for my mistakes, and though I don't want to do this, maybe he's right. A couple of signatures won't hurt. I'll probably be done in a few hours during each appearance and can be back sooner. "Ok, I'll do it. But only if you promise that you will call me if anything goes wrong. I will be back as soon as you need me." I say looking sternly at him, making him smile.
"I promise. Now answer his email, and confirm with him that you are on board with this," he says, grabbing the laptop and acing it in front of me.
I hesitantly opened my emails, opened up the link he had sent to confirm my appearance at the book signings, and answered him in a simple-quick message. I paused for a second, sighed deeply, and looked at Logan for approval. He smiles and nods, agreeing with me and my response email. I hit send and closed my laptop soon after it was sent.
I got an email soon after, congratulating me for my participation, and giving me the dates I was set to appear. "First day is just a few days after Thanksgiving. "Shit." I say making him look at me puzzled, "What is it?" he says, making me grunt. I sit on his leg, feeling his warm hand on my back. "The last day is in December for Christmas Eve. Same day as Troy and Dylan's wedding. How am I going to do this?" he pulls the laptop and glances through it.
"But it's just here in Nashville. We're only a bit over an hour away, it's fine. You can do this baby. I can go with you and drive you back on time for the wedding. The wedding isn't until 6 in the evening anyway. It's fine babe." Maybe he was right. I'm overthinking about this too much. I know one thing though... I definitely need to hire someone else to help me with my photography business now.
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