The Space Between Us

In Her Orbit

The next few weeks passed in a blur I threw myself into the work, doing my best to keep my head down and stay focused every day brought something new more manuscripts, more edits, more meetings to sit in on and absorb like a sponge the job wasn't glamorous, but there was a quiet satisfaction in knowing that I was a small part of something bigger, helping stories come to life in their own way

 Whitmore remained a distant figure in the office, always there but never quite in reach she seemed to exist in her own orbit, moving between meetings, reviewing projects, and holding court with authors and agents alike I often saw her through the glass walls of her office, always in the middle of something important, but we hadn't spoken yet

I was okay with that, or at least, that's what I told myself the truth was, I didn't know what I'd say to her if I had the chance Ms. Whitmore had a presence that was both intimidating and magnetic whenever she was around, the air in the office felt different, like everyone was on high alert, even if she wasn't paying them any attention

On a rainy Tuesday afternoon, Mr. Wilkins called me into his office again I'd been working on another manuscript, this one a debut novel from a new author that Ms. Whitmore had personally signed. The pressure had been there from the start, but I had done my best to keep my cool

"Emma, take a seat," he said as I walked in, motioning to the chair across from his desk he looked a bit more tired than usual, a cup of coffee in hand as he rifled through some papers

I sat down, trying to read his expression was there something wrong with my work? Had I missed something important?

"I've been going over your notes," he began, glancing up at me with a small smile. "You've got a good eye I think this author has potential, and your feedback will help refine that the boss will be reviewing your notes soon, and she'll want to meet with you after that."

My stomach did a flip at the mention of her name, but I nodded, keeping my face neutral. "Okay. Thank you."

He chuckled softly. "Don't worry, Ms. Whitmore isn't as scary as everyone makes her out to be she's just... particular she knows what she wants, and she's good at getting it."

"I've heard," I said, a hint of a smile on my lips

"She'll probably want to see you by the end of the week," he continued. "Just be prepared to discuss the manuscript with her. She likes people who can stand behind their opinions."

I swallowed, trying to ignore the tightening in my chest. "I'll be ready."

As I walked back to my desk, the reality of the situation started to sink in she would be looking over my notes, my work I wasn't nervous about the manuscript itself I knew I had done a solid job but the idea of being in a room with her, discussing something I had been a part of, felt overwhelming in a way I hadn't anticipated

I spent the next couple of days mentally preparing myself for the meeting I didn't tell anyone about it; there was no need to make it a big deal It was just work, I reminded myself but the thought of sitting across from Ms. Whitmore, having her evaluate not just my edits but my thoughts, was daunting

When Friday came, I was called into her office just after lunch Jenny gave me a reassuring smile as I walked past her desk, but my heart was still pounding in my chest I knocked softly on the door, and a voice on the other side called for me to enter

Ms. Whitmore's office was just as I had imagined sleek, organized, with shelves full of books and framed art on the walls she sat behind her desk, flipping through the pages of the manuscript I had worked on, her expression thoughtful she looked up as I entered, her dark eyes meeting mine, and for a moment, I forgot how to breathe

"Emma, right?" she said, her voice smooth and steady

"Yes," I managed to say, closing the door behind me

"Come in. Sit down."

I crossed the room and took a seat in front of her desk, trying to calm the nerves that were threatening to overwhelm me she didn't say anything at first, just continued flipping through the manuscript, her gaze sharp and focused finally, she set the papers down and looked at me with a small, appraising smile

"You did a good job on this," she said, her tone matter-of-fact. "I like your attention to detail, you caught some things that even I missed."

I blinked, caught off guard by the compliment. "Thank you," I said, my voice quieter than I intended

She leaned back in her chair, studying me for a moment. "So, tell me, what did you think of the manuscript as a whole? Beyond the technical aspects."

I took a deep breath, reminding myself of what Mr. Wilkins had said, Ms. Whitmore liked people who could stand behind their opinions I had spent hours with that manuscript, and I had plenty of thoughts about it this was my chance to prove that I wasn't just another intern passing through

"I think the author has a strong voice," I began carefully. "There's a lot of raw emotion in the story, and that's what drew me in but I also think there are some pacing issues in the middle chapters the tension seems to wane a bit, and the stakes don't feel as high as they should be."

Ms. Whitmore listened intently, nodding slightly as I spoke. "I agree," she said when I finished. "The middle section could use some tightening I've been thinking of having the author revisit those chapters, maybe explore the protagonist's internal conflict a bit more what do you think?"

For a moment, I just stared at her, trying to process the fact that she was asking me for advice I knew this was part of the job, that this was why I was here to contribute but it still felt surreal

"I think that could work," I said slowly, considering her suggestion. "If we could deepen the protagonist's internal struggle, it might raise the stakes and keep the reader more invested during those slower moments."

Ms. Whitmore smiled, a real, genuine smile that softened her features. "Good. I'll talk to the author about that I like the way you think, Emma Keep it up"

The praise felt like a weight lifting off my shoulders, but I kept my response measured. "Thank you. I'll do my best."

She nodded, then picked up the manuscript again, flipping through a few more pages. "Alright, I'll make the necessary notes you're free to go for now I'll let you know if I need anything else from you."

I stood up, feeling a strange mix of relief and exhilaration. "Okay thank you."

As I left her office, I couldn't help but feel like something had shifted the meeting had gone better than I expected, and I walked back to my desk with a renewed sense of purpose Ms. Whitmore might have been a force to be reckoned with, but for the first time, I felt like maybe I could hold my own in her orbit