Ryder Matthews: I need an expert opinion. You’re the girl recently interviewed by a fancy magazine, right?
Ava Readsalot: Yep, that’s me…I’m kind of a big deal.
Ryder Matthews: How can I get sales to pick up?
Ava Readsalot: Hmmm, show your face on Facebook?
Ryder Matthews: My books sell at their own merit. I don’t need to show my face. Plus, I want to keep my private life separate. NO ONE knows what I look like in the book world, and that’s the way I want it.
That was a bit curt.
I wrack my brain to find another suggestion, but before I can respond I notice he is typing, so I wait for him to send the message.
Ryder Matthews: I need the big blogs to promote me
Ava Readsalot: Set up a blog hop. You can ask three blogs to participate. You can provide each blog with an exclusive to post on their website…maybe an interview with your character or you and then you can have different giveaways for each of the blogs involved. Every day the reader will “hop” to another location.
Ryder Matthews: Now that is a good idea.
Ryder Matthews: You’re a genius!
I smile…
I laugh…
Ava Readsalot: LOL. Yup…me again, I’m a genius…I’m pretty special ;-)
Ryder Matthews: That you are! So genius. How can you help me? Which blogs should I ask to participate?
I wish I could say that the underlying need for approval isn’t an issue, but the idea of him ‘needing’ me consumes me. Ryder knocks down my defenses. He makes me feel relevant and important. The feeling of having to be perfect all the time is exhausting; not being good enough is exhausting. He doesn’t make me feel this way. To him my suggestions matter, moments like this give me the reprieve I need.
Ava Readsalot: I’ll help you. My blog will do it. I’ll also contact two more blogs for you. ;-)
Ryder Matthews: Good girl.
His words resonate within me. The elation I feel from receiving his praise…
I’m a foregone conclusion.
One week later…
IT’S FRIDAY, AND Alexandre has decided to not go into the office today. Working for his family’s hedge fund allows him the luxury of working from home. I look over at my friend list and surprisingly enough Ryder isn’t online. Disappointment hits me as I realize I will not get my morning fix. He is my new addiction. The feeling of comfort I get from him is unlike any I’ve gotten in the past. He listens and understands me, always making me feel like I matter. His friendship is slowly bringing me back to life.
I start to type a blog post for a new release when a message from Abby, a fellow blogger and close friend, appears on the screen.
Abby Hale: OMG. So you know that author Ryder Matthews?????
Ava Readsalot: Yup.
Abby Hale: So check this…I mean it might just be a rumor…
I feel my pulse pick up as I wait for her to type. My eyes are locked on the screen in anticipation.
Abby Hale: I heard he’s sleeping with his personal assistant.
I stare in disbelief at the computer screen. I don’t even know what to type back.
Ava Readsalot: What???
Abby Hale: Yep. Can you freaking believe it? His PA! Mr. Pretentious is apparently banging the help. LOL
Abby Hale: Omg and she’s supposed to be GORGEOUS. Like supermodel hot. Some blond bombshell.
I’m frozen in place. My fingers can’t type, and my brain has stopped.
Abby Hale: You there???
Ava Readsalot: Wow!
Seriously? That is the best I could come with at a time like this. If it were possible, I’d roll my own eyes at me.
Abby Hale: That’s what I heard. Oh you know what else I heard??? YOU WILL DIE!!!!!
Abby Hale: …Ready?? Wait for it…
She doesn't wait for me to answer just continues to type as I feel like my world is coming to an end. I’m perplexed. Why do I feel like this? I’m confused by the reaction my heart has to the news. The fact that his PA is perfect only twists the knife deeper into my back.
I’ve no reason to feel this way.
I’m married and we haven’t even met.
Possession…
Abby Hale: I heard, he is also that other author, you know Dylan Redding??? I heard that they are one and the same. I also heard he is Marcus Wright…but that’s just cray cray.
Ava Readsalot: Shut up!
Abby Hale: No, seriously!! That’s what people are saying
Ava Readsalot: That is the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever heard, like EVER!
Ava Readsalot: Any other ridiculous theories????
Abby Hale: Yep, apparently they’re all women.
Ava Readsalot: LMAO stop, he is NOT a woman.
Abby Hale: You’re right…he’s not a woman…He’s a SHIM.
Ava Readsalot: WHAT THE FUCK IS A SHIM?????