Wife for Hire

Chapter 31

*Two Years Later* 

(Karmen) 

    “Welcome to Carmel, just one today?” I looked to the hostess and smiled a polite smile while shaking my head. 
    “No, a table for two please.” The hostess nods and motions to a waitress to take me over to a table. We make it to a table in the back near the kitchen and I take a seat. 
    “Would you like to go ahead and order or would you like to wait for your guest?” I look down at my watch, it was a little past twelve, Edward was late. 
    “I’ll wait.” She nodded and left the table. I looked over the menu so that I would know what I wanted, it always took me such a long time to order and figure out what would taste best, I’m sure by the time Edward showed up I still wouldn’t know what I wanted. 
    I flipped open the menu and smiled, the menu was in french, but under the french writing it had english translations. I thought back to all those French restaurants that Jason and I had gone to and how he had to order for me everytime. A small sigh escaped my lips at the memory, I wonder how he’s doing. 
    “Karmen! I’m so sorry I’m late darling.” Edward said as he kissed both of my cheeks. I gave him a playful glare. 
    “I’ve been waiting a whole two days Ed, what the hell were you out there doing?” He rolled his eyes and picked up his own menu. 
    “You aren’t my only client you know? I have other books that need editing as well.” I rolled my eyes at him this time. 
    “Yeah well, you like my book the most.” I said as I stuck my tongue out at him. At this point he was just ignoring me and focusing on the menu and what he was going to order. 
    Ed is my editor. I submitted an adult version of ‘Wife For Hire’ to a publishing company and it took off. I had sold so many copies that they were even talking about making a movie adaptation, I knew that at some point I needed to talk to Jason about if he was okay with that since it was his story too, I just didn’t know how to approach the topic. Today, Ed and I were meeting to discuss not only that, but the newest book that I was writing. It would be a little different, a children’s book this time of the mermaid and the troll, as well as my more adult project, the prequel to ‘Wife for Hire’. It would be about my main character, Destiny’s life before her mother got sick. So far, Edward was loving it and he called me every time he read a new chapter to tell me his original thoughts, then he would edit it and send me the corrections. Today though he decided to do it over lunch. 
    “Are you all ready to order?” The waitress asked as she came back. Ed looked to me for confirmation and I nodded. He pointed at something and told the waitress what he wanted then she looked at me. I pointed out exactly what I wanted and she took note, nodding here and there before walking to the kitchen to give our order to the cook. 
    “Wow, I’m surprised it didn’t take you even longer to order anything. Usually it takes you two years.” I rolled my eyes and pulled out the newly edited version of my second book and handed it to him. He clapped in his seat as he reached into his bag to pull out my edited children’s book. 
    “Who are you thinking about illustrating it?” I thought about it for a moment and then smiled. 
    “I actually have an old friend that I was considering asking. Maybe he could kick off his career and get some work sent his way?” Ed raised a brow and took a sip of his water as I began to explain who the friend was. It was Markus. I know it sounds crazy, but after my mom’s funeral Markus had checked up on me periodically. One day he had invited me out to lunch and I learned quickly that he had actually dissolved the gang he was in and was currently teaching art to troubled youth in juvie. It was so much like the old Markus that I used to know that I couldn’t pass up being friends with him again. We had talked for hours after that and we met up every few days to talk about life and how the kids were doing, how he was doing. He was also going to therapy for his anger issues and was learning to work through his problems. I was actually really proud of him. 
    “Maybe I could meet him one day?” Edward asked. I shrugged, I would have to make sure Markus was okay with, but I was sure he wouldn’t mind. 
    “Okay guys, here’s you food. Does everything look okay?” She asked, waiting for us to examine our food. I took a bite and instantly moaned. Edward laughed. 
    “I’m pretty sure that means everything is delightful, thank you.” The waitress nodded. 
    “Let me know if you all need anything.” We both nodded and waited for her to walk away before Edward began discussing the plot and a couple of changes he felt should be made in both books.