"You're up!" Blake grinned at me from the doorway of my bedroom. He was wearing only his tattered work jeans, and it appeared he'd just come in from work. I felt my insides lurch. Sad that the only time I was ever attracted to him was when he was shirtless and I could see his tattoos, or when he was dirt smeared and sweaty from work. I glanced at the clock, and frowned; it was only three, what was he doing home? He followed my eyes to the clock and grinned again, "Melina called me at work. I left early to come get you. Apparently you had some kind of fit and then passed out."

I didn't respond, too preoccupied as I was with watching his blonde brown hair and the way his grease blackened fingers looked running through it. He grinned at me once more, and I was sure he knew exactly what I was thinking about. He sauntered into the room and grabbed my face. "You need to stop stressing about work, Russ," he grunted before kissing me hard.

As my stomach twisted with desire again, he wandered out of the room. He returned less than a minute later with a glass full of ice and orange mango pineapple cocktail which he handed to me. I guess he'd had some himself, because there was a dark smudge along the side of the glass and a shiny dribble down his chin. I swiped at it while I guzzled down the rest of the glass. With a chuckle, he dragged his forearm across his chin, "Yeah, I'm kinda dirty, aren't I?"

"Filthy," I agreed.

He laughed as he rid himself of his jeans, leaving them in a heap at the foot of the bed. "Guess I should shower before you take advantage of me, huh?"

I almost agreed again, only realising what he'd said when he paused in the washroom doorway and turned to wiggle an eyebrow at me. "Blake!" I was off the bed in a minute, chasing him into the shower.

This time it had been me who fell asleep, exhausted from my terrible day and the fun Blake and I had had in both the shower and the bed after that. I woke three hours later in the damp bed with my hair dried in tangled clumps. I'd wandered out of the bedroom to see Blake spooning what looked like spaghetti into plates. "I was just going to get you," he said when he heard me. He flopped on the sofa with our plates and pulled two beers out of his pant pockets. I filled a glass with juice for myself and lazed beside him. Taking my plate from him, I frowned as he tore open one of the beer cans; was this actually pasta? It was undercooked, overcooked and burned all at once. He must have just dumped it into the pot and left it there again.

-.-

Sleeping three hours that afternoon had not been the best idea. I was not like Blake, who could sleep an infinite number of hours a day. So while he was asleep beside me, I sat awake unfortunately making up the three hours I'd spent asleep. I noticed as I got into bed that the book that had caused all my problems that day was sitting on my bedside table. Melina must have given it to Blake. I stared at it for a very long time, just thinking about how damned weird it was.

It was 1'o'clock before I picked it up. I read two more chapters. I came to the conclusion that Bentley Rydell must have been right. There was some weird cosmic library of ideas out there, and my life had been in it. How it had ended up in Bentley Rydell's head was beyond me. But I supposed if someone had to write my life, I was glad it had been Bentley; at least she made me/Andrea sound more interesting than I actually was, without having to embellish.

Andrea lived her life exactly as I lived mine, almost to the T. Right down to having to do the book launch for Jason/Patrick. Though, Andrea didn't read the book that her assistant tried to make her read. At first I'd thought that maybe I wasn't supposed to have read the book. But then after the book launch, Andrea's boss insisted that she drive back to the office with him. While sitting in the back seat of the sleek black chauffeur driven car, he'd offered her a promotion. Which I knew I didn't have. But as I drifted off to sleep I couldn't help wondering, if I hadn't read the book and quite melodramatically fainted, would Ted have asked me to ride in his car with him?

-.-

I laughed as I stepped out of the elevator, with the book in hand. I sidestepped whoever was standing just inside the doorway and bee lined for my desk, my nose still in the book. I'd forgotten about that time in high school with Jeffrey Unger. I remember I'd near died back then, but it was really quite amusing.

"What's so funny?"

"The most embarrassing thing that ever happened to me in high school," I chuckled and looked up to see Melina.

She was smirking at me, "So, you're still reading the book?"

I flushed, "Fine, fine! You were right, Melina, Oh Great One!"

She plopped down into the chair in front of my desk, "What does the book have to do with your most embarrassing moment?"

"It just reminded me, that's all," I lied easily.

"That funny huh? Are you going to tell me about it?"

The doors whooshed open and Ted wandered in, a coffee in one hand, his PDA in the other and a newspaper tucked under his arm.

"Later," I said and handed Melina some files off my desk, as Ted passed. "I also need you to send these out for me. They've all been proofed and I've already labelled where they need to go. Leave Sam a message to call me if he doesn't understand the notes I've made for the book jackets."

"Sure thing. I hope you're feeling better, by the way."

I watched Melina scramble across the office to her desk and begin separating the files into envelopes. I flicked on my computer and scanned the emails I'd received the day before. In half an hour I'd replied to the majority of them, leaving the more complicated answers for after the morning progress meeting.

I hated the concept of meetings every morning, but Ted had implemented them a little over a year ago, so he could monitor our progress without having to go through a hundred emails. In his defense, I could see how getting progress emails from every employee (including assistants who cc-ed him on everything) at least twice a day could get a hell of annoying. By that count, at the end of the day he'd have sixty-two just from our office. I was sure he deleted anything that didn't have urgent written on it.

I had just finished preparing my notes for the morning meeting when Ted popped his head out the door. "Ruslana, could I please speak to you in my office?"

I nodded assertively, not willing to show any butterflies I was feeling, and went in.

"The door." He said without looking up from his desk, where he was arranging some papers. I was careful to shut it quietly, not wanting to bring any attention to the fact that I was in here. "First off, how are you feeling, Ruslana?"

It was the first time I'd seen concern from him- real concern too. I shifted in my seat and smiled, "I'm doing great actually. I think with everything that's been going on here lately I've just been spreading myself a little thin."

"Yes, Jason's leaving has been hard on us all. I've been trying to work something else out."

"Actually, Ted, I wanted to talk to you about that. I was going to mention it after the meeting."

He nodded again, but in a dismissive way, "We'll discuss it after. I've called you in here for something quite specific."

I flushed, feeling awkward for interrupting him.

"As you well know we've been working on a new project."

I nodded at his pause, I had no clue what it was, but I'd noticed Ted had been away a lot, and most times with shareholders.

"It's been a long time in the works, but I am proud to tell you that Laken Publishing is opening a subsidiary publishing house. If this goes well, there is a possibility of opening another like it in the U.S. or in London."

Why was he telling me this? He watched my reaction, most likely wondering why my face was so neutral and schooled into indifference.

"That's great," I said to ensure him that this news made me proud of the company I worked for.

He smiled, "When Jason left, I was very impressed with you, Ruslana for taking on his projects on with such assurance and determination. I have been monitoring you very carefully, and you have excelled, to say the least. Most people in your position, handling two full jobs at once, would have had more than one minor mishap."

Minor, I wondered.

"You have been a great asset to Laken Publishing in the four years you've been here, Ruslana, and I dare say you've proved yourself quite well."

I was beginning to hyperventilate, was this going where I thought it was? Ted shuffled some sheets on his desk once more. "I like to know that the people working for me can handle just about anything I throw at them. And I like to know they are loyal. I've watched you grow while you've been here, Ruslana, and I feel the same kind of pride in you as I do for my own daughter. That is why I am very proud to offer you the position as Executive Editor for Breakout Books."

This time his pause was for my benefit; to let me process the words. Executive Editor? Why did the words seem to foreign to me?

"Breakout Books is focused on new young authors, and the books are targeted towards the younger audience. For now, we're just focusing on fiction- the market research shows more fiction than non is popular amongst youth. If you chose to accept the position, you will be heading off the entire Fiction department."

"Entire?"

Good one, Russ, you've just been offered a huge position and the first word you can think to say is "Entire?". How about "Thank you so very much Ted!"?

"I have no doubt that you can handle the position, Ruslana. It's just a small company for now, but if and when it grows, I will not hesitate to hire someone else to help you handle the load. As it is, you will be in on the selection process of the other employees, as they will all have to undergo interviews with you."

"I... I... Oh My God, Mr. Laken! I don't know what to say!"

"I meant to tell you last evening," he smiled, "but it might have been a tad difficult with you being unconscious like you were."

I couldn't help laughing. I was Executive Editor! Me! I would have more than one intern working under me. I would be the boss! As Ted continued to tell me the stipulations and requirements of my job, I was grinning madly. I don't think I even listened when he told me what the monetary compensation for this job would be. I didn't even care! Give me one dollar more and I'd be happy to do it! Executive Editor!

"I was hoping to announce your promotion today at the morning meeting, after giving you last night to think about it. I suppose I'll have to do it tomorrow..."

"I'll do it!" I blurted, unable to stop myself.

"I knew you would."

Suddenly I wanted to hug him till I couldn't feel my arms any longer. But I refrained.

"Uh, Ted? Would now be an odd time to discuss what I wanted to talk to you about?"

He looked at me in surprise; I wondered what he thought I was going to say about Jason's leaving.

"Well, with Jason's position being empty, I'm sure you must be looking for someone to fill it. I don't know if you've begun interviews already, but I have a suggestion for a candidate. Actually, I think she'd be the best candidate, but then again I don't know who else you're considering."

I flushed when I realised I was rambling, and took a breath to gather myself.

"I think you should consider Melina Garay. She has worked here for some time as my intern. She has a love for romance fiction that I think makes her perfect for the job. Not to mention, she is organized, very prompt and thorough, and she is exceptional at editing. Since Jason left, I've given her the task of editing a few of the smaller projects and I don't think I've found anything wrong with her work yet."

I stopped before I made it sound as if I'd been paid to pitch her to him. Ted Laken nodded, lacing his fingers together, "Thank you, Ruslana, but I believe I already have someone better suited to this position."

I let out a breath, well I'd tried at least and that's all that mattered.

"But, that's not to say I haven't noticed Melina's work myself," he supplied after a moment. "I will be interviewing her for the position of your copy editor in the romance area. I think it's very important that you get along well with your secondary staff. I haven't got a clue as to who to consider for the other sectors, but you're welcome to suggest anyone."

-.-

Coulds. I was in the clouds ecstatic with my new job. There had been countless interviews, both for my employees at Breakout Books and for someone to take my place at Laken Publishing. Within the month I was falling into the task of running Breakout Books' editing department. The pay was a significant jump from what I'd been making before, and I couldn't help relish the fact that the book had been right about the promotion.

The night after hearing of my promotion I'd stayed up reading it till I couldn't keep my eyes open any longer. Though, I really hadn't had the opportunity to pick it up again after that night. I secretly wondered if maybe Andrea's life story would tell me about what else was coming for me. I was hoping that my personal life would fall into place magically. Maybe it only worked after I read that part of the book? I hoped so, because I was determined to find the time to finish reading the book.