By the Book (Meant to Be #2)(87)

And then she found it.

This acquisition was all the more important for TAOAT since Beau Towers’s memoir—acquired by Marta Wallace over two years ago—won’t be published next year. A source within TAOAT says Towers’s manuscript is far overdue and that the likelihood of Towers actually turning something in is “slim to none.” “Towers is a liability,” our source said. “He’s uncooperative, has significant anger management issues, and frankly, isn’t all that bright.” It’s clear that TAOAT has given up on that book.



Won’t be published next year? Given up on it? Isn’t all that bright? What the hell?

Izzy felt enraged, betrayed. How could they do this to Beau? How could they do this to her? He’d worked so hard. Marta knew how hard he was working, he’d told her! To hit him out of nowhere, insult him like this, with just an anonymous quote in some gossipy publishing piece, felt cruel.

And she’d worked so hard with him. Did none of that matter? Had they just let her keep working with him after they’d given up on Beau, after they’d realized they didn’t want his memoir anyway, just for busy work, because they’d given up on her, too?

Did he know about this? No he couldn’t know, he would have asked her about it. Maybe he thought she knew and didn’t tell him, and that’s why he hadn’t texted her?

If that was why, then she was furious at Beau, too. How could he think that she wouldn’t tell him about this? How could he think she wouldn’t be on his side?

She should text Priya back.

No—I didn’t know any of this

Ok, let’s talk asap tomorrow. Can’t wait for you to be back in the office!

I can’t wait, too!



That was a lie, but what else was she supposed to say to Priya? She didn’t want to go back to the office at all—even though she was angry at Beau for not texting her, for not trusting her, she was just as angry at Marta for doing this to Beau.

She had to talk to Marta about this. Even though she didn’t think she’d ever see Beau again, even though their relationship might be over, she still believed in his book. While she’d been in California, she’d learned how to fight for herself and her dreams. She was going to keep fighting. For her dreams, and for Beau’s.





On her walk to work the next morning, Izzy smiled as she looked around. When she’d left the city less than two months ago, the world had been gray, dreary, hopeless. Now the sun was out, there were flowers everywhere, and birds chirped all around her. She was actually happy to be here. To be back. And she was happy about more than just that. She was nervous about today, about walking back into the office for the first time in so long, and about confronting Marta about that article. And she missed Beau, so much she could barely think about it, so much she knew she would have to guard her facial expression when she talked to Marta about his book. But she also felt hope for the future, for her future. She loved books, she loved writing, she loved publishing, and she knew she had a place in that world. She wasn’t going to let anyone take that love from her again.

A few minutes before nine, she walked into the TAOAT offices. It took her much longer to get to her desk than usual—everyone stopped her on the way, smiled at her, said how much they’d missed her, gave her hugs, handed her advance copies of books they’d been saving for her. She hadn’t realized how many people here knew and liked her.

Marta’s office was still dark when Izzy got to her desk, but she’d known it would be. She had a stack of mail on her desk; that would help keep her busy while she waited for Marta. She glanced at her email inbox, but the number of new messages was overwhelming. She was already stressed about this upcoming conversation with Marta. The email could wait.

After about half an hour, Gavin walked by. “Isabelle, welcome back.”

She wasn’t going to let him destroy her good mood today. “Thanks, Gavin.”

He, apparently, was in a good mood today, too, if his insufferable grin was any sign. “You finally gave up on Beau Towers, huh?” he asked. “Don’t worry, it’s okay. I’m sure you’ll have more—and better—opportunities eventually.”

She knew Gavin was dying for her to ask him what he knew about the status of Beau’s book and to bring up that other memoir he’d acquired, but she refused to give him the satisfaction.

“Thanks!” was all she said. Just that moment, her desk phone rang, and she turned to answer it. Gavin walked away toward his desk.

“It’s just me,” Priya said, from five desks down. “I saw you were here and was going to come over for a hug, but then I saw Gavin talking to you and I had to rescue you first. Coffee?”

“Oh definitely,” Izzy said in her most professional voice. “I’ll be sure to pass along that message.”

Priya laughed. “Text me.” She hung up, and Izzy grinned as she reached for her phone.

Coffee, yes! But not until after Marta gets here. I need to find out the deal about that article. I’ll fill you in when I know

Yes, keep me posted. I have some info on that, too; I have to talk to Holly about it. We will DISCUSS

Also, thank God you’re back! I got so much WORK done when you weren’t here, can you imagine??? But wait, why are we still texting, I’m coming over for a hug right now