-Chapter Ten-

Joey stared at the screen in disbelief. Christopher? He was the new author she had to work with very closely for the next few months? He was the man that her boss had told her was currently on the "New York Times" Best Seller list?

She knew he was good, but she didn't know that he was that good. They really had lost touch over the years… much to her relief. She just couldn't believe it was really him. That she would have to work with him again.

She read over his words a few more times and sure enough… It was Christopher. The man she had given four years of her life to back in New York. The man she had once considered spending the rest of her life with and having children with.

This wasn't happening. Christopher was in her past and was supposed to remain there. That's why she had told her boss, a few years ago, that she couldn't work on his novels anymore. As soon as Pacey popped back into her life, Christopher ceased to exist. Those four years with him had literally disappeared from her memory and the future with her true love was all that mattered now.

But now she had to work with him again?

No. She wouldn't do it. She would refuse, just like she did the last time. She had her own family to consider now. Not to mention Pacey… She could only imagine his reaction to the news that she would be working with her former lover again.

That thought was enough to make her pick up the phone and call Sandy, her boss, in a record breaking time of a few seconds. She would get this straightened out. She had to. Christopher was not allowed back into her life anymore. Those kinds of complications wouldn't help anything.

"Joey! Hi! Did you get the chance to talk to Christopher this morning?" Sandy's voice answered excitedly on the other end of the phone. She must have read Joey's mind.

"Uh… yes, yes I did actually," she hesitated. "That's why I'm calling. I just wanted to-"

"-Oh no need to thank me, Joey," Sandy interrupted, enthusiastically. "You deserve to be a part of this project. It's big you know? This could really put your name out there for when your own novel gets published!"

Joey held her breath, "What?"

"Yes, Christopher heard all about your book and wanted to help. That's why he specifically asked for you to be his editor. That way, when he starts touring, you can be a part of it with your book."

Again, Joey was speechless. "What?"

"Oh Joey," her boss laughed. "You didn't actually think this would be the end of your publishing dreams, did you? We wouldn't let your book go without a fight! And Christopher was more than willing to help."

"So this has more to do with me and my book, than it does with Christopher?" Joey asked confused, trying to piece together the missing parts of the puzzle. This just wasn't making any sense.

She heard Sandy's intake of breath. "Well yes and no. Don't underestimate Christopher's novel. It's very special and requires one of my top editors to be on the case. It's just an added bonus that you have your novel coming out too."

"But it's not going to be published with Tree House. I didn't sign the contract."

"I know and thank god! But didn't you receive our offer, Joey? We sent it nearly a week ago."

"No I didn't," she answered weakly. "But you know the situation with Keegan, Sandy. I can't go on the book tour… Well at least not for months at a time. And I won't move. That's why I rejected the last offer."

"Oh I know," she replied eagerly. "That's why Christopher is so important in this contract. You see, he's offered to work close enough with your book that he can promote it for you when you need to be home with your family. He seemed very enthused about working with you again. You're very lucky, Joey."

Joey bit back the groan that threatened to escape her lips as she asked, "So then, that's the deal? You're offering to publish my book as long as Christopher is a part of it?"

"Technically yes. But Joey, we can work something else out if this isn't what you want. We're not letting this book go without a fight."

Joey visibly relaxed and was ready to say it wasn't, when Sandy interrupted.

"I just think right now that Christopher is your best bet. His name will do nothing but bring good things to your book – and what an honor that he would do this for you! You should really call him and thank him for his generosity."

Joey tensed again. "Yeah.. sure."

"Well Joey, I hope you'll seriously consider our offer."

Joey closed her eyes, muttering, "I will" into the phone, before saying goodbye.

She brought her hand to her forehead and cursed under her breath. She finally had a tangible offer for her book and she wouldn't be able to do it because of Christopher. The cost was too high. Going to New York was a mistake and she wouldn't put her family through that again.

Just as she flirted with the idea to go lay down, the phone rang. She looked at the caller ID. It was Christopher.

XOXOXOXOXOXO

Joey smiled as she felt Pacey's arms envelop her waist from behind. She was in the kitchen, working on dinner, when he surprised her with a kiss on the cheek.

"Smells good, Jo," he whispered huskily, close to her ear, making her shiver.

Joey turned around in his arms and replied, "Why thank you, Mr. Witter. I thought it was about time that I reclaimed this kitchen as my own."



He smiled in amusement, pretending to search the kitchen for any signs of disaster. "Well, the house is still firmly intact, so I'd say your claim was successful."

Joey rolled her eyes and turned back to the food on the stove. "You better watch it Witter. You never know what poisons under the sink might accidentally find their way into your food."

"Nah, you wouldn't poison me."

Joey raised an eyebrow, "And how can you be so confident?"

"Because you love me."

Joey shook her head, "Nah, that's just a rumor."

"Oh really?" he asked, releasing his grip on her waist. "And who would start such a dangerous story like that?"

Joey smiled, loving the fact that she was getting a rise out of him. "Well there's this little boy who kind of looks like you… Big blue eyes, adorable wavy hair."

Pacey grinned fondly at the thought of his son, "I think I've heard of this kid and his dashing good looks… But continue…"

"Well, I think he might have mentioned something to his aunt Bessie about his mother liking his father, but he was completely mistaken. See his father bugs me."

Pacey laughed and let his hands fall to her waist. "The bastard."

Joey looked at him sternly, "Excuse me?"

"Well what man in his right mind would bug you?"

Joey smiled, "Good point. But he's been doing it for years."

"Well I for one, can think of numerous other things I'd rather be doing with a beautiful woman such as yourself, than annoy her."

Joey let her hands rest on his shoulders in intrigue, silently appreciating the hard muscles underneath. "And what other things would that include?"

"Well for starters, there would be no talking."

Joey closed her eyes as he kissed the tip of her nose and then the other cheek.

"Well that's a bit of a problem," she teased, "because I refuse to be quiet."

"Oh the world would literally stop spinning if you were ever mute, Josephine," he countered with a smirk, kissing every part of her face except the one spot where he knew she wanted it.

"And the world would stop spinning if you ever learned to kiss properly," she replied in frustration of the torment from his lips.

Pacey froze and leaned back to look at her suspiciously. "Are you questioning the talent of my lips?"

She smiled, leaning closer, "I'm just saying that you're a lot of talk and no action, Witter."

Pacey grinned and pulled her tight against his body. He leaned in and began to kiss her properly, sensually. When he released her, she was smiling thoughtfully.

"Thank you, Pace."

His thumb gently grazed her cheek. "No. Thank you."

Pacey moved out of her arms and sat on the stool closest to the counter to watch her finish their meal. He looked down after a while and gingerly studied all the patterns on the surface of the counter as his mind drifted to another place.

Joey noticed this and let her mind drift to the phone call she had received as well. She turned the meat on the skillet once more before saying, "Um Pace."

He immediately looked up. "Yeah Jo?"

"We need to talk."

Pacey looked towards the back door where the creek was visible through the glass sliding doors. "Yeah I suppose we do."

Joey opened her mouth to say something when he interrupted.

"Jo, I need to tell you something."

She leaned back against the counter in surprise. She wasn't expecting that tone from him.

"What?"

He looked up, hesitant, clearly feeling torn about something.

"What is it, Pacey?"

He sighed and stood up, walking toward the sliding doors. "I know this probably isn't the best time after what happened this morning with the pregnancy test. And I know I promised you we'd try again right away. But…" He paused and stopped in front of the window.

"But?" she urged, studying his every move.

"But I'm leaving tomorrow."

XOXOXOXOXOXO