Ring of Truth (A Silver Script Novel Book 1) (18 page)

“I’m feeling better than when I first woke up.” He stopped and squinted at her. “Were you crying?”

“A little. It’s just been a crazy couple of days.” She sat back in her chair and leaned her head back.

“Your mom told me what happened with Jake.”

Erin looked up at him surprised. “Why would she do that?”

He chuckled. “She thought I was sleeping. Look, sweetie, I can’t say I’m happy with what happened. Your mom loved getting ready for this wedding. You can’t expect her to just laugh it off.”

“I know. I understand why she kicked him out.” Erin sighed. “Dad, I need to get back to New York. Apparently one of the contracts I’ve been working on is failing miserably. Are you going to be okay? Because if not, I can change my flight and tell my boss to let someone else take it.”

“I’m not going anywhere any time soon. You go back and smooth everything out. I’ll be fine. I’m just grateful you took the time to come down. We’ve missed having you here.”

Erin pushed down the guilt that threatened to overcome her. It had been too long since she’d visited last. “I wouldn’t have forgiven myself if I hadn’t. You really scared me, Dad.”

Her dad reached for her hand. “I was scared too. But then I heard two of the most beautiful voices talking to me, and I knew I needed to come back. Now, please go. I need to sleep some more and your mom will probably be here soon.”

Erin stood and kissed her dad’s forehead. “Love you, Daddy. I’ll be back at Thanksgiving.”

“I look forward to it.” He squeezed her hand and kissed her cheek. “I’ll tell Mom you said good-bye.”

“Thanks.” She picked up her purse and headed for the door. The only flight she could get that day was only a couple hours away and she needed to get to the airport. She was sad to miss her mom, but they hadn’t spoken much since Jake left.

“Oh, and Erin? Don’t give up on Jake.”

Erin nodded once and left the room. Thoughts of texting him were pushed away by guilt.

She climbed into the taxi and checked her messages. Carissa and Debra had both sent emails asking for help with the clients. She emailed them back, and climbed out of the taxi. Once she was checked in, she sat and pulled her laptop out of her bag, hoping there would be Wi-Fi that she could use to send the plans she’d made.

The files pulled up, and Erin made a few last minute changes she’d thought about during the night. She cheered silently when the Wi-Fi worked. While it was slow, it was still enough to send out the plans she’d made. She climbed on the plane and sat in her seat. A young girl sat next to her and smiled politely before turning to giggle with her friend.

As soon as the flight took off and they were high enough, Erin pulled out her laptop and worked on the designs for the clothing ads. Taking samples from the company’s old line, she put together a few different samples.

“Whoa,” the girl next to her whispered. “That’s really good.”

“Thanks.” She saved the files and pulled up another document so she could work on the men’s ads next.

“You do this for a living?” she asked in awe.

“Yep. Do you like fashion?” Erin stopped and looked at the girl next to her. She was cute with freckles splashed across her nose and cheeks.

The girl shrugged. “I guess. I mean, I like looking at the magazines, but I think it’s cool what you’re doing with your program. I’d love to learn how to do that.”

Erin pulled out a business card. “Here. Email me in a couple of years and I can teach you how to design the ads. It’s pretty easy, and it makes a really good job.”

“Thank you.” She pulled out a magazine. “Did you do any of these?”

Erin took the magazine and flipped through the pages. She found an ad she’d helped with a few months before. “That’s mine. This was harder because it was cold and rainy. We had to use artificial light to make it look right.”

The girl took the magazine back. “That’s really cool. Um, could you sign it?”

Erin laughed. “Really? Sure. I guess.” She pulled out a marker and signed the ad.

The girl grinned and showed her friend. Erin turned back to her work and finished the line just as they were told to begin preparing for the descent. She put her laptop away and made sure her seatbelt was fastened.

As they were getting their bags out of the overhead storage, the girl turned back to Erin. “Thanks again for signing my magazine.”

“You’re welcome. Don’t forget to call me.” Erin figured the girl would forget a few minutes after leaving the airport, but it was fun to talk. And if she did remember to call later, Erin would be happy to have an intern.

***

Erin was glad to be back in New York. She went straight to the pound to pick up Coco, then went back to her apartment. Coco wouldn’t leave Erin’s side while she made dinner and sat down to watch television. Erin grumbled as show after show was filled with romances. She finally turned it off and went to her room.

After changing into a pair of jeans and a T-shirt, Erin headed for the door. She was craving a milkshake, and there was only one place she could get one that was just right. She texted Carissa to tell her to meet at the diner in ten minutes. The reply came quickly with a “K,” and Erin grinned.

Carissa arrived not long after Erin. She dropped a DVD on the table and sat down across from Erin. “That came today.”

“What is it?” Erin picked it up and flipped it over, but there was no label.

“Your commercial. Mr. Smith wanted your approval before he signs off on it. I saw it earlier today. You did a fantastic job. Even if you weren’t speaking to each other at the time.” Carissa took a drink of her water. “Are your parents still mad?”

“Mom hasn’t really said anything, and Dad is still in and out of sleep, but he was cool about it. Cooler than I expected, actually.” She sighed. “I still can’t believe my mom kicked Jake out.”

“I can’t either.” She stopped, her jaw dropping as she looked over Erin’s shoulder. “No way.”

“What?” Erin turned around to find Jake standing there, surprised. She turned back and closed her eyes. Her face burned with the memory of the last time she’d seen him.

“He’s coming,” Carissa whispered. “Oh, wait. He went to the counter instead. You need to invite him over.”

Erin shook her head. “I can’t.”

Carissa rolled her eyes. “You’re hopeless.”

“I know.” Erin stared at the milkshake in front of her. She just had to crave chocolate tonight, didn’t she? She should have just stayed home.

Carissa stood. “I’ll talk to you tomorrow. I want details.” She walked over to Jake and gestured toward Erin before leaving the diner.

“Hey. Can I sit here?” Jake asked.

“Sure.” She sat up and cleared her throat. “How was your flight home?”

“I drove back. I wanted my truck here. Yours?” He took a drink, never taking his eyes off her.

Erin smiled. “It was fine. I got to autograph an ad for a girl on the plane.”

“Impressive. Much more exciting than hours and hours of driving.” Jake thanked the waitress for his meal and took a bite of his burger.

“Wait—are those mushrooms?” Erin asked, surprised.

Jake grinned sheepishly. “Someone told me it was better this way. I have to admit she was right.”

Erin shook her head. “I never thought you’d try it.”

“I’m full of surprises.” He took another bite, and Erin wished she’d ordered one for herself.

She hesitated before speaking. “Look, I’m sorry about what happened. I had no idea my mom would do that to you.”

Jake sat silently for a moment. “I was mad at first. That was a long, expensive flight. But deep down I knew I deserved it. I made a stupid mistake.”

“We. We did it together. This isn’t just your fault. I didn’t have to agree to it. And I admit I enjoyed it.” Erin picked up the DVD and put it in her purse so she wouldn’t forget it.

“What’s that?” Jake nodded toward her purse.

“It’s a copy of our commercial.” She paused, biting her lip. “Do you want to watch it with me?”

Jake wiped his fingers and took another drink before answering. “Sure. I’d like to see how it turned out.”

“Okay, let’s go back to my apartment. It’s closer.” Erin stood and picked up her purse.

“Sounds good.” They paid for their food, and Jake opened the door for her. “I have my truck, so we don’t have to walk.”

“Great.” Erin followed him to an old beat up Chevy pickup. It didn’t fit well in New York, but it was exactly what she would have pictured Jake driving. “Nice truck.”

“Thanks. Dad and I fixed it up when I was a teen. I hated leaving it behind, but I wanted to get used to the city before I even tried to drive here.”

They drove to her apartment and Erin had him park in the space designated for her apartment. She had butterflies in her stomach as they walked up to her apartment. After what had happened in the hospital, there was no way she would have expected to be walking to her apartment with Jake again.

“I have to admit I’m a little scared to see the commercial.” He rubbed his hands on his jeans and waited for Erin to open her apartment door.

“You did great.” Erin set her purse down and put the DVD in her player. She grabbed a blanket and sat on the couch to watch it. Jake sat next to her, and Erin couldn’t help the thrill that shot through her.

Music played, and Erin watched in awe as the commercial started. She could remember filming every moment of it, but Debra had been right. There was a chemistry there that was tangible. As the end of the commercial faded away, Erin noticed that her pulse had quickened.

“Wow.” Jake sat there staring at the TV. “That was … wow.”

“I know.” Erin didn’t want to move and ruin the moment. All the feelings from that day crashed down on her. A glance at Jake showed that he was feeling it as well.

Jake leaned forward and rested his elbows on his knees. “Did you feel it too?”

Erin nodded.

“This was the reason I traveled to Georgia. Somewhere along the way, the pretend feelings blossomed into something so much more. I’m so in love with you, Erin Tyler.” He got down on one knee and pulled out a small box. The same box they’d used in the commercial.

“I’m so in love with you too.” Erin’s eyes filled with tears as she opened the box to find the simple diamond ring inside. “Do you always carry rings around in your pocket?”

“Well, not usually. But I came over here for two reasons. One, I want to challenge you to a rematch on Mario Kart. And two—” Jake slipped the ring on Erin’s finger and smiled up at Erin. “Hey, look. It’s the perfect fit. Will you marry me? For real this time?”

Erin nodded and wrapped her arms around his neck. Jake leaned in and kissed her softly, then more insistent. Erin thought her heart would burst with joy as he sat next to her and put his arms around her, holding her close.

When they finally pulled away, Jake looked into her eyes. “I was thinking we could have the wedding at Christmas.”

Erin grinned. “Perfect. I already have the wedding dress and everything.”

Silver Script Novels (Contemporary Romance)

Ring of Truth

A Christmas Worth Billions

Fashioned for Love

The Luck Series (YA Fantasy)

Stolen Luck

Twist of Luck

Best of Luck

More Than Just Luck

No Such Luck

Just My Luck

Fairy Tales (YA)

The Princess and the Prom Queen

Endless

Gates of Atlantis (Middle Grade)

Magicians of the Deep

Jaclyn is an Idaho farm girl who grew up loving to read. She developed a love for writing as a senior in high school, when her dad jokingly said she was the next Dr. Seuss (not even close, but very sweet). She met her husband, Steve, at BYU, and they have six happy, crazy children who encourage her to keep writing. After owning a bookstore and running away to have adventures in Australia, they settled back down in their home in Utah. Jaclyn now spends her days herding her kids to various activities and trying to remember what she was supposed to do next. She has published six books in a year, and her mind is still reeling from the awesomeness. Her books include Endless: A Modern Cinderella Tale; The Princess and the Prom Queen; Magicians of the Deep; the Luck series--Stolen Luck, Twist of Luck, Best of Luck, and Just My Luck, a novella.

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