Free February Waltz (Rhythm of the Heart Book 3) by Scarlett Jade Page B

great. I'm proud of you. Do I get a signed copy? First edition?”
    Zoe melted into the pillows and smiled. “Yeah,” she whispered, “you do.”
    “So tell me about the story.”
    Zoe grinned and launched into the tale of Poppy Monroe and her husband Jace. She talked until she grew hoarse, and Calvin held on until she finished. “So that's it,” she murmured.
    The line hung quiet for a moment and then Calvin spoke. “Wow. That's a hell of a story, Zoe.”
    “You think?”
    “Yeah, it is.”
    “I set up a blog tour, and I'm just waiting for some reviews to come in. I haven't checked to see if I've made sales yet.”
    “I'm proud of you, Zoe. It's pretty incredible in six weeks you've written a book and grown a baby.”
    “We are almost to twenty-eight weeks, and it's really easy to write a book in less than six weeks when you have nothing to do but sit and stare at four walls.” She chewed at her thumb nail nervously.
    “Well I just downloaded it on my laptop. I'm going to read it tonight and let you know what I think.”
    “Calvin! You didn't have to buy it.” She mumbled, suddenly very nervous at the thought of him reading her book. Her palms broke out in a sweat and she tugged at the collar of her t-shirt.
    “Zoe, you just told me the whole story. I am not going to suddenly hate it. Let me read it. You go rest and bask in the glow of your accomplishment.” He paused for a moment and then said with a soft sigh, “I really am proud of you. Just trust me next time, all right?”
    Her chin dropped to her chest and her nose wrinkled as tears prickled at her lashes. “I am sorry.”
    “Just know I'm here for you, and I'm not going anywhere. You gotta trust me.”
    She swiped at the moisture leaking from between clenched lids. “Calvin,” she mumbled raggedly, her breath catching on the inhalation, “It’s so hard to do, especially after everything I've gone through.”
    His sigh was audible and a pregnant pause stretched on the line. “I know, Zoe,” he said finally. “I just keep hoping one day you'll let me in. I kind of feel like you're the princess locked in the tower and I'm the idiot prince racing the horse around the moat. The horse and I are tired, Zoe. Can't you let us in? I promise he's potty trained, and well, I'm pretty reliable.”
    Zoe chuckled. “I'm trying.”
    “That's all I ask, babe. Keep trying. Don't give up on us. Well, I gotta grab some dinner and I have a hot date with this future New York Times bestseller's book.”
    She clung to the phone and with a heavy heart, whispered, “Bye, babe. I love you.”
    “I love you too. Don't forget it.”
    They hung up and she placed the phone beside her, her hands trembling with anxiety. She shifted down on the mattress and curled up on her side, the tears free flowing and unbidden now. Her sobs shook her shoulders and the baby flipped with the rush of emotion coursing through her veins. She placed a quivering hand on her belly and her other hand curled into a fist to press into her mouth. At least he knows now. Oh God, what if something goes wrong and this book turns into a total flop, or someone figures out the story is about them and they sue me?
    Her stomach cramped and she rubbed the baby who was doing complete somersaults by this point. “Sorry, beautiful,” she whispered softly. “Mommy is awful, I'm sorry. I'm going to calm down.”
    Grams' voice came from the doorway. “Girl, you need to calm down. You want a glass of tea? I can make you one and we could talk for a bit. I know you've had yourself wound up tighter than a tick the past few weeks and been keeping secrets. I reckon that grandson of mine knows by now, but I think you still need to talk. Am I right?”
    Zoe flipped so she faced the door and wiped at the wetness on her cheeks. “Yeah, I could talk.”
    “Let me get the tea and I'll be right back, honey.”
    Zoe stared at the wall while she waited, worrisome thoughts flooding her mind still. I shouldn't have