All language subtitles for talalkozz_velem_a_margon_2026_romcsi_gepi

Time stood still as Ronaldo delicately
placed one hand softly on her cheek.

Did he, though?

Time stood still as... How can time
stand still?

Ugh.

Ronaldo touched Zolda's cheek.

Time did or did not stand still.

Ugh.

Super writing, Savannah.

Good morning, Rumi. Good morning.

How's it going?

You ready?

I've been up all night rewriting
sections just in case I need an

For the whole book?

I just, I need it to go perfectly.

Claire Donovan has already read your
manuscript.

The editor of romance at Baird Books.
You have a meeting with her. It's gonna

great. And she wouldn't set a meeting if
it was bad, right? Right.

I've been working on this manuscript for
three years, Lila.

What if Pendleton Publishing learns that
I'm talking to the competition? I mean,

I need this job, and I'm good at it.
Will you stop overthinking?

Pendleton would never publish a romance
novel. If you're serious about becoming

an author, this is your next step.

Yeah, work.

You got this.

Good to see you.

You too. Thank you for making the time
to meet so early with our authors

visiting this weekend. I am both. I get
my best editing done before the day

begins, so this works great.

So tell me, how is everything at
Pendleton Publishing?

Still the head of the oppositions team?

I am, yes.

Things look a little different now that
we've downsized. The team consists of

just me, which is why it's taken me so
long to get my manuscript back to you.

You're a good writer, Savannah.

I think you have a voice for romance.

That's amazing.

Thank you.

But it isn't ready yet.

Oh, I see.

A few emotional beats work, but many are
missing.

You have chemistry between your leads,
but it starts way too late and ends too

fast. And your protagonist, Isolde, too
passive.

Things happen to her instead of her
making her own choices.

Romance readers want to see her go after
what she wants.

And your ending?

It needs work.

The big emotional climax feels rushed.

I've rewritten it several times.

If you're serious about ever getting
this published, read it again thinking

about what I said and make the necessary
adjustments.

Okay, I will.

Savannah, I'm retiring soon. This is my
last shot at getting something in that I

believe in. And I believe in you and
this book.

But you have a lot of work to do to get
this ready for me to present.

How much time do I have?

I'd need a solid revision in two weeks
to submit to my team.

Okay, I will get it done.

Good. I look forward to reading it.

Oh, that's the office.

Hello?

She liked it, but said it needs a lot of
work. Like, a lot, a lot. I have two

weeks to rewrite the entire book if I
want it ready in time for her to present

to her company before she retires.

That's great news.

Now, I basically have to rewrite the
whole thing.

She's retiring.

If she didn't think you were worth it,
she wouldn't have you try again and come

back.

Pendleton Publishing has been a
cornerstone of the nonfiction and

fiction markets for over 50 years.

Here, we actually believe in the content
we produce.

Unlike other publishing houses lining
the grocery store shelves with

fiction, we work tirelessly to produce
only the most curated and vetted

manuscripts worth printing.

I would like you to give a warm welcome
to a man whose experience at one of the

most successful publishing houses will
help us to prune in order to blossom in

our future.

Mr. Pendleton, I am thrilled to welcome
you as vice president of Pendleton

Publishing.

I am William Pendleton. I'm very excited
to be here with you all.

I want us to remember that today is the
Author Appreciation Day and that those

authors represent half of our sales.

But also, please be mindful that many of
our authors are afraid because...

Sorry.

Seriously, Savannah.

Sorry.

Okay, nothing to see here. Carry on.

William, please continue.

As I was saying, based on these
closures... He saw, he knows.

There's no way.

This one page is all we needed. I think
we can wrap this up. I look forward to

getting to know all of you over the
coming days.

Thank you.

She said pruning. Pruning means cutting.

Do you think that means that some of us
might be laid off?

The fact that you're asking that
question means you're... Probably on the

List?

That's amazing.

All right.

Don't worry about it. As Pendleton says
it every year, you're fine.

Savannah. Hey.

Hi, Pam.

That was... something.

A lot of paper and really poor timing.

Yeah. But everything's okay?

Just an occupational hazard. Cool. All
right. Well, if you need anything for

author event, I'll be around in a day.
Just let me know. Thank you. All right.

You know he has a crush.

Sam? No.

We're just friends.

What if Clive is right?

What if Mrs. Pendleton brought in her
son to cut some of us?

I mean, if there's a list, I am
definitely at the top of it after what

happened.

Maybe he didn't get a good look.

Oh, no. He read it. I saw him. And of
all the pages in the book...

Time stood still as he placed one hand
softly on her cheek as they sat entwined

beneath the maple tree. The whisper of
the wind gently blowing his oldest sun

-kissed blonde hair back from her hazel
eye.

Okay. Yeah. He knows.

People are already scared.

Don't give them any reason to notice
you.

I don't want to lose my job. And I don't
want to give up being an author yet

either. Maybe I can just... I'll hide
the manuscript until after the author

event tonight.

And hope that he just doesn't remember
anything.

Sure. Because them entwined under the
maple tree with whispering winds is so

easily forgettable.

On a positive note, it's memorable.

No, I need him to forget.

totally make him forget you.

I'll be back.

There

she

is. Huddleton Publishing's top -selling
author. Top -selling author. It's a bit

of a stretch.

Entirely.

That book is greatly responsible for a
better than satisfactory year.

And as I'm sure you know, Pendleton can
use all the help they can get.

Even from as unlikely a source as an
influencer.

Of course.

Well, that said, watching Giselle fawn
over her is a... Bit overly dramatic?

Sorry, that was out of line.

No, you're right.

That book is essentially just a
collection of social media captions, is

Yeah, it is.

And yet it outsells everything else we
publish. What does that tell you?

I guess people would rather read social
media captions than a good book.

Or it could just mean that people want
something that feels authentic.

Something they relate to.

My mother, she built this company with a
very specific philosophy.

Elevated, refined, intellectual.

And I respect that.

But, um... But you don't agree?

Oh, I do. I just think there's room for
more than one kind of story in the

world.

Agree to disagree, Miss Caden?

Oh, I agree.

I'm just surprised to hear you say it.

I mean, publishing houses throw away
untold amounts of money, printing books

that nobody wants to read, whilst
turning their noses up at things that

actually want. I think we can tell good
stories no matter the way we get there.

The, uh, pages that you were editing in
the meeting.

I can explain. I'm sorry.

No, no, I was impressed, actually. It's
bold enough to be multitasking one of my

mother's meetings.

What exactly were you working on?

It looked like a manuscript.

For my author.

Yeah. Oh, that's actually her. I should
go.

Today was a great day. Why are you not
excited?

William knows.

He didn't say it in those exact words,
but he's, you know, cute.

What?

No, I mean, maybe. He's smart, and he's
mysterious and confident, not in

a good way.

Right, because smart, mysterious, and
confident can all be super sketchy.

You know what I mean.

I can say with the utmost certainty, I
do not.

But I do know that Claire Donovan, who
is about to retire, wants to read your

manuscript again. Yes, and she needs
rewrites in two weeks. The details.

My manuscript, I left it at work.

I'll be back in an hour. Okay.

Your protagonist is too passive.

Why doesn't she take initiative?

That would make it a much more
compelling and interesting story.

That is ridiculous.

Nice dialogue here, but it could use
more subtext. What's nice?

This metaphor doesn't quite work. What
are you really trying to say?

This is good, but you have an
opportunity to be great.

A fellow storyteller.

A fellow storyteller.

Who are you?

This is good.

Good.

But you have an opportunity to be great.

Fellow storyteller.

Sam,

you scared me.

Yeah, I could see the same for you.

What are you doing here?

I work here.

Yeah, I just, I mean, it's late.

Oh, yeah, well, with Mrs. Pendleton done
working here now, I thought I should

just stay late and clean up some
contracts, you know.

You?

Me? What about me?

What are you doing here so late?

Oh, I forgot a manuscript.

It's for an author of mine. Not mine,
mine, but a friend of mine. I'm just

helping with edits.

Okay.

Hey, have you seen anyone else here
tonight?

No, just the cleaning crew.

Right. Are you okay?

Yeah, no.

I'm just trying to figure out the, um...
Book?

Hmm?

That you're editing?

Yeah. The book.

Oh, you know, you've always been really
supportive of my writing ideas, so your

friend's really lucky to have you.

See you Monday.

Bye.

Someone found it.

And? They wrote notes.

As in editorial notes, in the margin.

I mean, that's invasive, right?

Your protagonist is too passive right
from the beginning.

That's actually really good feedback.

Okay, but that's not the point. The
point is someone found it and now they

I'm writing a romance book.

Okay, but whoever they are, they're
being helpful, right?

They wrote nice dialogue here. That's
encouraging.

Or it's a trap. A trap for what?

I don't know.

Maybe they're trying to collect evidence
to bring to Mrs. Pendleton.

Okay.

Think about it.

Who at Pendleton would read several
chapters of your manuscript, then leave

seems to be very helpful editorial notes
instead of just turning you in?

No one knows about my secret room. Well,
someone does.

Whoever it is is very nice handwriting.

Neat.

Confident.

Could it be Giselle?

No. Giselle would have turned me in
immediately.

Yeah.

What about Clive?

Clive does keep track of everyone for
Mrs. Pendleton, but... I don't know.

Karen? Billing?

No. Sam? He was at the office just now.

Sam and contracts?

No. Yes.

Yes, he's a frustrated writer. He
happened to work late tonight.

So add him to the list of suspects.

Okay, well, that leaves... William.

I mean, maybe he was exploring the
building and he found my room.

He used to be an editor, right? Right,
so he would leave notes. And he saw the

page.

No, he's also Miss Pendleton's son. If
he found my manuscript, he definitely

would have...

Turn me in.

Whoever it is thinks very highly of
themselves.

I mean, who leaves notes without being
asked for them?

Someone who must like what they read.

Bold of you, whoever you are.

Second, you have no idea how long

I've been working on this book, but I
will tell you.

Three long years.

Three.

How do I know?

You have my best interest at heart. I
don't.

So forgive me, but I am not

about to throw three years of hard work
down the drain

and just randomly trust whoever you are.
Thank you.

But no thank you.

Rise and shine, sleepyhead.

You wrote back?

Uh, yeah, kind of. I, uh, I said thank
you, but... No thank you.

Uh -huh.

I have no idea who it is.

Well, they said it was a fellow
storyteller, right? Yeah, but what does

even mean?

If it's someone at work, which we have
to assume that it is, it means...

That they now know someone else at work
is writing a romance novel.

At least all they have is my pen name.

So what happens now?

I guess we wait and see if they write
back.

Thank you for coming in early.

Mr. Rentalhead.

Please call me William.

Looks like you have everything under
control here.

All looks great.

Oh, this is just what we always do.

If you weren't aware, your mother's not
a huge fan of change.

I had no idea.

How was your first day?

I'm still getting acquainted.

How would you describe it?

Me? How would I describe what?

I want to know what you think.

You've been on the inside, you've been
working here for some time.

I'm trying to understand what works here
and what might no longer serve us.

Okay. I think that Pendleton Publishing
is a company that cares about its

authors.

Sometimes maybe to its own detriment.

Oh, how so?

Well, Pendleton doesn't publish books
because they'll sell fast.

We publish them because they will matter
later.

Sometimes you need an exception to keep
the company relevant. For instance, if

there's a popular reality star who wants
to write her life story.

So you agree with her decision to
publish the influencer book? Yes.

I think it was smart for both financial
and professional reasons.

Your mother has made sure the exceptions
don't become the rule. And this

philosophy is what has kept Pendleton
standing.

Whether it can continue without
expansion...

remains to be seen.

Maybe that's why you left the big
publishing house and came here.

What do you think of the employees?

I think most of the workers here care
about the company.

My author is the star of her own show.

She needs more chairs than the ladies
that write about words.

Some care more than others.

Look, about the manuscript that I
dropped in the meeting,

I... It didn't... It's totally fine.

You might want to be a little bit more
careful in the future.

People don't always appreciate
everything that comes across their desk.

Discretion matters.

Right.

My author is pulling up. We should be
waiting for her as a team.

Of course.

Discretion and honesty matter, which is
why it is best that I remain anonymous

for now.

My first big problem with this book, you
need to let your protagonist choose.

Even when that choice costs her, you
don't need to protect her from that.

Readers won't either.

What if the moment your leading lady
realizes staying quiet will cost her

than speaking up?

You don't have to listen to me, but if
you want this book to be even remotely

successful, I suggest taking my notes
into consideration.

I'm not saying I'm going to implement

any of your notes.

However, I will

think about it.

If and only if I decide

they could be helpful, then I

would like

to set a few ground rules

the

notes stay

focused on the book

there is no sharing

beyond

The pages.

Honesty is required.

But please be courteous about it.

Anything? Hi. Yeah, come in.

I reread the notes. As much as I hate to
admit it.

Whereas writing, they're not terrible.

So you're going to use them?

I don't know.

I mean, if I don't like it, I could
always rewrite.

They asked me a question, and it wasn't
about the book, but it made me think.

I excel at graphic design, but covers in
the occasional code.

Not solving mysteries.

Okay.

My protagonist, I keep telling her to
take risks.

And that every day I show up at work and
I do the same thing. I stay quiet.

It's good for survival and job security.

It's not great for peace of mind.

So, what are you going to do about
everything you just said?

There's a meeting coming up, and I am
head of the department.

You're the only one in the department.

Right, which means I'm the only one who
can speak up for the book.

They said to find the moment. I mean,
maybe this is the moment.

Say who?

What moment?

Tyler.

The past year required difficult
decisions.

Pendleton publishes works of lasting
value, and that does not change because

market gets impatient.

My author wasn't approved because she
fit the list.

She was approved because she fit the
moment.

No advance, minimal overhead.

Well, that moment has passed.

Yes, her book performed better than I
expected and decently for the market,

that does not automatically qualify her
for a second book.

Of course not. I wouldn't suggest
otherwise.

Good. Because Pendleton does not build
on coincidence.

Which is precisely why we must be
careful.

I agree.

Care to elaborate, Miss Cade?

I just, I think that protecting the work
also means finding ways

to fund it.

One project could carry several others.

I see. And what are you suggesting?

Well, we've already seen that it works
with the influencer book.

Giselle did a great job editing and
promoting her.

I think now we need to find something
that's more aligned with Pendleton,

however still outside the box.

And who decides which projects get that
privilege?

People who understand the numbers and
the responsibilities that come with

Yeah, I mean, from a contract
standpoint, it definitely works, as long

exceptions are deliberate.

And how many more of these exceptions
before we're no longer Pendleton?

Well, I think when the exceptions stop
protecting the work and they start

replacing it.

We'll continue this discussion at our
next meeting.

Clive?

Since you're suddenly full of ideas...

Perhaps you could explain to our best
-selling author why we're not putting

second book into production.

I would be happy to help you if you need
it.

Way to take control of me. That was
great.

It did not feel great. Trust me.

Do what?

Nicely done, Savannah.

Thank you, Mr.

William.

I'm much more comfortable staying quiet.

It's always the right time to speak up,
and today was that right time.

Sorry, what did you say?

Just that, you know, it's nice to speak
your piece every once in a while.

Right.

Of course.

Thank you.

Long day.

Ooh, cookie.

Yeah. Yeah, it is.

Is there something on my face?

Oh, I'm so embarrassed. No, no.

I was just thinking about earlier. The
meeting.

I still can't believe I spoke up.

I mean, I'm glad I did.

Those moments matter.

Yeah. No, I completely agree. I don't
think enough people act on them.

Do you regret speaking up?

Yeah.

Sometimes.

But I regret not speaking up more.

Yeah, you're right.

I think myth is penalty in respects when
someone understands the cost before

they open their mouth.

You think?

I do.

You know, contracts.

They teach you that everything has
consequences.

Anyway, I should probably get back to
it. So, see ya.

I must say, when you wrote you were
going to find the moment in your own

didn't believe you.

But it sounded like you did speak up,
knowing it could cost you.

Most people wait for certainty, and you
chose clarity and risk instead.

Well done.

If I had said this to my ex -girlfriend
when we first met, she would have walked

away. The entire opening needs to be
rewritten. What?

And please, pick different names for
your lead characters.

Ronaldo sounds like a bullfighter.
Isolde sounds like she belongs in an

Hi. Hi. Okay, I really think it might be
Sam.

The timing makes sense.

Remember late last night, I saw him when
I found the notes.

Sam...

I don't know. Yeah, yeah. Then today, he
said almost exactly what was written

down, and then he did it again when we
were getting coffee.

Why am I sensing a but? No, no but. I
just... I don't know. I

guess I thought it would be clearer or
more romantic.

It makes sense in my head. It just
doesn't make sense anywhere else.

You're a romance writer.

Maybe you built the expectation up to be
some grand gesture of love.

Me dramatize romance.

Yeah.

Savannah.

Come in.

Your mother hasn't given you an opt yet?

Sorry, that was supposed to be funny.
No, it was.

I just really like it in here.

Please, sit.

I come to work with her sometimes and
just roam the halls like it's my

I guess it's no surprise that I ended up
in the literary field.

How about you?

Me?

I've... Always been obsessed with books.

Ever since the Bunny and the Bear books.

I remember those.

Bunny used to show Bear how to have fun
and then Bear would teach Bunny to speak

up. Is that something like that? Close.
Yeah.

Honestly, I should reread them. I could
use some inspiration on speaking up at

the moment.

Except with my authors. They're easy to
talk to.

Right. That makes sense.

Authors and their editors always have a
special relationship.

Yeah.

regardless of what the book is about,
authors write from their hearts.

It gets personal.

At least, it does if it's good.

Can I ask you something?

Please.

When you speak up at a meeting,
potentially with a different opinion of,

the boss, do you ever regret it
afterwards?

Well, sometimes.

Then I remember that, uh, Every time I
haven't said what I wanted, well,

it's always worked out worse.

You don't say these things because
they're easy, Savannah. You say them

they mean something to you and that
you're prepared to deal with what

after.

So it's not a bad thing?

No, I don't think so. I think it simply
means that it matters.

Thank you.

I'll let you get back to work. Sorry for
bothering you.

So, Adam, are you free later?

I can be.

Great. I'd like you to sit in on a
meeting.

It's been years since I've dealt with
authors one -on -one, and I hear you

a particularly nice way of handling
difficult situations.

I'd like to see you in action.

Sure, yeah.

Great. I'll see you here at three.

Yeah.

I finished the new book cover.

Want to see it?

Uh, yes.

Later. I'm just prepping for a meeting.

I didn't see one on the schedule.

William asked me to sit in on one of
his.

Which could be a test.

He can judge me without it being obvious
and then he can gather information to

fire me.

Or he asked you to join because you're
the very best at your job.

If you're right, it means maybe William
saw something in me and this could be a

good thing, not a you're fired thing.

It could be a very good thing.

Lila, he's my boss.

I said nothing.

You, however... A meeting is not a
thing. It's work. It's a work thing.

Mm -hmm.

No one says it's not a thing unless they
feel like it might actually be a thing.

The notes are a real thing.

And before you say anything, I still
think it's Sam. I think he's the mystery

editor. He's thoughtful, deliberate,
thinks before he speaks.

That's how you are, too.

You're just getting better about people
hearing you.

I'm a work in progress.

You open the door without knowing what
would walk through.

That's the hardest part. People think
courage is loud. It isn't.

It's choosing not to close the door
again.

He's right.

This isn't just about the book anymore.

You don't speak to be heard. You speak
because staying quiet would cost you

something you care about.

Like your characters, Jonathan and
Riley.

Much better name choices, by the way.

The aftermath is where most people get
stuck.

Second guessing, rewriting, convincing
themselves. It would have been easier to

say nothing.

It wouldn't have been easier, just
quieter.

I'm beginning CPAP.

So, thank you for the chair.

As much as I don't want to admit it,

your notes are

helpful.

I'm just saying, no one leaves a big
publishing house to come here unless

something went very wrong.

I don't know. It's his mother's company.

People don't come home unless they're
restructuring. And restructuring means

regrouping. And that means something
went very wrong.

So you do think there are going to be
layoffs?

Well, I didn't say that.

But I didn't not say it either.

That's a lot of assumption.

Savannah! We were just talking about...

You know, else.

I heard.

Accusations like that only make people
more nervous.

From where I'm standing, we need less of
that and more of an open mind.

Look, everyone is nervous.

But assuming someone failed somewhere
else isn't the same as knowing why

here.

You're very confident for someone who
literally has two strikes against her.

I'm not.

confident i'm aware and not that it
needs explaining but william did bring

into one of his meetings earlier he
wanted to make sure that we handled the

author correctly if he wanted to
dismantle this company he wouldn't be

to ideas on how to make it more
productive and definitely wouldn't be

questions questions are how people
decide what to cut they're also how they

decide what to protect so you don't
worry no i think his intentions are good

I think we should all assume that until
proven otherwise.

Well, I hope you're right.

Otherwise, you might be the next one
looking for a job.

I'm hoping this is progress and not
another dramatic standoff with your

Those never end well.

Progress. Actual, real progress.

Really?

That's good.

Dare I ask if this has anything to do
with your mystery editor?

Maybe.

You changed their names.

I like Jonathan and Riley so much more.

Editor's idea?

Yeah, he said Ronaldo sounded like a
bullfighter, and Isolde sounded like she

belonged in an opera.

I mean, he's not wrong. He really isn't.

Mm -mm.

And he seems to like all the other
changes so far.

He keeps telling me I need to stop
protecting Riley, that I'm getting in my

way. Is he right?

Yeah, which is deeply inconvenient.

Claire wants to meet tomorrow to discuss
where I'm at with the rewrite.

That's good.

He said something else. He said, I'm
allowed to let Riley choose the wrong

thing. That's how she figures out who
she is.

He sounds like he's thought about this a
lot.

It's Sam, right?

It seems like it. It makes the most
sense. Yeah.

Okay. I'll check in with you again
before I go to sleep.

But for what it's worth, I like Jonathan
and Riley.

They kind of remind me of you and your
mystery editor.

Jonathan makes choices, Riley reacts.

That's the difference.

Jonathan makes choices, Riley reacts.
That's the difference.

You're still protecting her, not from
the world, from herself.

If she doesn't risk being wrong, she'll
never learn what she actually wants.

her to fail.

I know what you're thinking, and I don't
want her to fail either.

But avoiding failure isn't the same as
choosing to grow, to dare, to risk it

all.

Wow, that's good. That's actually pretty
good.

No, that was all me. Are you all right?
Yeah, I'm fine. I was thinking,

multitasking, unsuccessfully, it seems.

That kind of dedication is just the sign
of a good editor.

Is it?

That is my experience, yes.

Well, for my author's sake, I hope
you're right.

Well, I usually am.

So are you running from something or to
someplace?

Neither. I'm just doing edits.

You're awful.

Well, they are lucky to have you.

As are we.

I'll see you later. Yep.

Clive, hi.

Hi. Do you know where the red pens are?
I checked this fly cabinet, but I

couldn't find any.

We're out. I need to order some more.

Which is strange, because Mrs. Pendleton
asked me to order them by the caseload.

They usually last for months.

Where did they go this time?

Don't know, but someone's been getting
through them pretty fast.

Thanks, Clive.

William also asked me to reorder them
this morning.

William? Our boss, William?

No, the other one.

Yes, William.

With his name on the door.

Thank

you

for meeting me here on short notice. My
office is being turned over to Murray

Policeman, and there wasn't a private
room available today. No problem. I can

usually meet for lunch anytime,
anywhere.

I've read your new pages, and the name
changes help so well. Jonathan and Riley

feel grounded, solid.

Immediate improvement.

Great. I'm still revising. There are
parts I'm not quite done wrestling with.

Good. That means you're doing it right,
and it means you're invested.

The emotional spine is stronger now as
well.

But I want you to go further.

Further how?

Stop protecting her.

Let Riley risk it all for Jonathan. Let
the reader go on the journey with her in

finding her true love.

You need to let her risk everything.

Not because it's dramatic, but because
it's honest and real.

It could cost her everything, but that
is a risk we want to take with her.

I've actually been thinking about this a
lot recently.

It's hard to put her in jeopardy after
all she's been through.

Of course it is. And that right there is
why it works.

I'd also like you to come up with a new
title. This book deserves it. And before

you ask me how, you'll know.

One day, you'll test now.

If you think so.

I'm wrapping up at Barrett a few days
before I plan. Can you get me a new

a few days sooner?

Yes, yeah, I can, I will.

No pressure.

Actually, full pressure, but they're
really good kind.

Thank you, Claire, for pushing me, for
believing in me.

It's my favorite part of the job.

Oh, I have another meeting to run, too.

But I'm excited, Savannah, truly.

And if I didn't think you were worth it,
I wouldn't be.

What you doing?

Because it looked like you were
comparing the red pen with your

Which is this?

I'm just trying it out, switching it up,
seeing how it looks. You know, trying

to be more open to change.

I've noticed that. It looks good on you.

Still, though, what you doing?

Fine.

Clive told me that William asked him to
reorder pens.

Red pens.

For the offer.

Interesting. But everyone in our
business uses red pens.

Mm.

Lila? What?

I didn't say anything.

Yeah, not out loud, but I know what
you're implying. Not implying.

Connecting the dots.

Or pens.

Red ones.

It's Sam.

I know what it is. The timing, the way
that he talks.

Right.

But, uh...

Still might not be a bad idea to get to
know more about our new boss.

William? Unless we got another new boss
this last week? Yes, William.

Why? He's involving you.

And we still don't know what his
intentions are with the company yet.

Lastly, we can find out what color pins
he might or might not use.

He's not interested in me like that.

And he's not the way that my editor is
with me.

Okay.

Well, don't forget, tonight's the animal
shelter fundraiser. You said you'd

help.

Did I?

Well, not in so many words, but I said
you'd help, so do it for the puppies.

Anything for the puppies.

After Riley's story about her first date
and the love of twinkle lights, I

thought you'd like the addition.

I also thought they might ease my notes
you're about to read.

You're allowing your heroine to
hesitate, but she should be acting.

Repeated hesitation becomes avoidance.
Is that your intention?

It's not my intention.

No.

Ask yourself what Riley is afraid will
happen if she actually tells Jonathan

what she wants.

What she truly feels for him.

Well, she's afraid her

words will push him away.

And she will...

Have no one to blame but

herself.

That's my honest answer.

Whatever you wrote in the margins, let
Riley say those words out loud.

What if he doesn't feel the same way?

What if their connection is

something she imagined in her

mind?

I can already tell you my response
without reading what you just wrote.

Have you forgotten you're the writer of
this book, the writer of your own story?

You can choose any outcome you want for
your characters and yourself.

Here you go. Thank you. Thanks so much.

Did you invite William?

Why is he here?

Uh -huh.

Why is he here?

I thought we just covered that.

Because I invited him.

And because he has money.

And the shelter likes money.

William! Thanks for coming.

For dogs. Anything.

They've all been adopted, except for one
senior dog, Baxter.

The suggested donation is at the top,
but artistic freedom is encouraged.

Artistic, huh? Mm -hmm.

I didn't think people still carried
those.

I do.

I just want to impress the dogs.

Dealer's choice.

Oh, that's okay.

It's very generous.

Thank you.

I'm going to go log this in.

You're good at this.

Helping people.

That's kind of my job.

Maybe, but you're not working now.

I have this feeling that you would help
pretty much anybody.

It's just...

So you are.

On to the verdict.

Uh, they love him, but they haven't
committed quite yet.

Huh.

Follow my lead, okay?

Hey, honey, it's our boy Baxter.

Uh, yeah, our boy Baxter. Yeah, we
fostered him with plans to adopt, but,

We did.

Yes, big plan.

Yeah, but this little lady, she was
allergic, so... I am allergic, but

here... Oh, he is precious.

You know, these shelter dogs, they only
want to love, but this guy, he will give

you more love than you could possibly
ask.

I mean, look at that face. So cute.

You know what? I never know if she means
me or the dog.

You guys are going to love him. You know
what?

Take that over to Lila over there.
She'll get you an adoption report.

You're going to love him.

You know, I think that Baxter may have
found his forever home.

Wow, Mr. Pendleton.

I mean, aside from my unfortunate
allergies, that was actually very sweet.

Well, it was a team effort.

Thank you for staying to help. Lila did
such a great thing here.

It's the least I could do.

Can I ask you something?

Sure.

There's been a lot of talk around
Pendleton about why you came here.

People are saying you left the big
publishing house because something went

wrong.

What do you think?

I think it's no one's business.

My father passed away last year.

I remember hearing about that.

I'm sorry.

I can't imagine how hard that is. I know
it was hard for your mother. It's all

right. My dad started Pendleton with
her.

He was a solid partner.

Mostly. When he got sick, I promised him
that I would come home after the next

thing.

And then after the next promotion, then
the next deal.

Turns out there's always the next thing.

When he died, I realized that I was not
proud of all the things that I had

missed.

So I told myself I would not let that
happen again.

So that's why you came back?

Yeah.

So many people can say what they want.

Those that I care about, they know the
truth.

That takes restraint.

Yeah, or... exhaustion.

Well, for whatever it's worth, I think
it's a good thing you came back.

For Pentatonix, it's great. I mean,
you're one of the best editors there is.

I don't know about that.

It's been so long since I edited
anything.

I don't know if I'd be any good at it
anymore.

Where's my mother?

I have to go.

Is everything okay?

I don't know.

Good night, Savannah.

Hey.

I loved it you let her say everything
she'd been feeling and thinking well

then you pulled back you took away what
she had

just said to Jonathan

You're right.

I got afraid for Riley.

What if I don't recognize myself

once I stop holding back?

Oh, I didn't mean me. I meant Riley.

I did not realize anyone else ever went
in there.

Yeah.

Sometimes I just, I need a moment of
silence.

Peace and quiet.

Oh.

Yeah, I guess that is the perfect place
for that.

Anyway, I heard the fundraiser went
well. It did.

Good.

So what are you working on?

Oh, well, believe it or not, contracts
for before the weather changed. It's

supposed to be really good, so hopefully
it works out.

I should let you get to work.

I should get back to it.

Talk to you later?

Mm -hmm. All right.

A matter has been brought to my
attention that needs clarification.

It seems that during work hours, Miss
Cade was seen with a rival publisher.

I'm not asking if this meeting took
place. I know it did from a reliable

And since you now oversee our editorial
staff, were you aware of what your staff

is doing behind our backs?

And Miss Cade, would you care to explain
why you met with a senior editor from a

competing publishing house?

Yeah, I... Well... I asked her to go.

Why would you do that?

Claire Shapiro has decades of experience
in a market that we do not currently

serve. And we do not serve that market
intentionally.

Sending an editor without disclosure is
an issue that will require further

discussion.

Understood.

Could we have a moment, please?

exactly what's discussed. Thank you,
Savannah.

You don't have to say it. I do. I do.

Thank you for what you just did in
there.

You were put in an impossible position.

But you could have let me explain. You
didn't have to step in like that. I

didn't think you should have to. What
you did wasn't reckless. It was curious.

There was a difference.

Still, I put you in a really difficult
situation.

I mean, perhaps, but that was my choice.

Savannah, I just want to be clear.

What happened in there was about the
company. It was about how I lead and not

about anything else.

Of course.

Yeah, I understand.

Well, I'll see you later.

Mrs. Pendleton called me into her office
and said that she had proof I met with

Claire.

It had to be Giselle. I know it.

What happened? How? I mean, what did you
say?

I didn't have a chance to explain.

William was there as well, and before I
could say anything, he just, he spoke

up. He told his mom that he asked me to
go.

That's a big deal, that your boss is
taking your side over his mother's.

How did you feel about that?

Obviously, I am grateful and relieved,
but I don't know, something felt off

balance.

I mean, he said it was about his
leadership and the company, which makes

It might to him, but does it to you?

I guess.

I don't know. It felt personal.

Well, maybe it was.

But he is the boss.

Yeah. Yeah.

And if we ever thought for a second he
was the mystery editor, we can rule him

out because he told me tonight that he
has not edited in a very long time. So

it's still Sam.

Yeah.

I read the new pages with our fire.

Don't get me wrong. It's still you in
all the ways that I love.

But these notes that you've been getting
are bringing out your best.

I think Claire is going to love this
rewrite.

Now, if you could just get back to work,
because I really need to know what

Jonathan says to Ryan now that he knows
how she feels.

Okay. I am going to need some caffeine
if I'm going to stay up writing all

night. Okay. One pot of strong coffee
coming right up. Thank you.

Morning. Good morning to you.

You're here early.

I can say the same to you.

I, um, I just wanted to take care of a
few things before everyone got in.

You? Yeah, I just like the quiet.

Did you have a good night?

Yeah. Yeah, it was good. I'm long.

I'm, uh, I'm actually working on this
passion project of mine.

Cool.

That's good.

Fashion projects, they're good.

Oh, sorry, did you? Do you want a
coffee? Oh, yeah, that's actually why I

down. Perfect, thank you.

Oh, you know what? I actually have to
take this.

Can I, um, talk to you later? Yeah. All
right, uh, I'll talk to you later.

Hey.

Florida? the notes are concerned i love
what you've written and find myself

rooting for jonathan and riley much like
i would for myself should someone like

her ever cross my path you

said what if you don't recognize
yourself once you stop holding back yes

know you said you're referring to riley
but i think we both know there is much

of you in your book

I've been thinking about what you wrote.
Not just the words, but the pause

before them.

I think you were asking to be
understood, so I ask you, have you ever

that your Jonathan feels the same way?

I'll leave you with this.

If you wait... You'll never get the
chance to be surprised by who you are

someone chooses you back.

Ready?

Ready to leave, as in go home?

I'm going to stay a little later, get
caught up on a few things.

Might this be because you spent time in
your secret room today?

Maybe. Something feels different.

Not like romantic, but maybe a little.

I don't know. It feels real.

I can't keep pretending it won't matter
who it is.

You want it to matter.

I think it already does.

Okay.

I'll see you at home.

Yeah, heading home soon.

Long day?

But a good day.

Well, then, I'm... I'm happy for you.

Um... Good night, Savannah.

Good night.

I just need to grab something upstairs.

Of course.

I'll see you tomorrow.

I'm not sure when you'll see this, but I
wanted to make sure it was here when

you needed.

You wrote a stunning confession, but
then erased its consequences.

Riley tells Jonathan everything she
feels, but then you immediately

her.

You made a risk smaller to ease the
possible pain.

If she says... those words you have to
give her heart a chance to break

otherwise it is encouraged it's
performing if

you don't trust the moment to breathe
you rush to protect her from what might

happen next ask yourself why not as a
writer but as a person who wrote those

words on the page if riley is brave
enough

to say it she has to be brave enough to
live with the silence that might

I think I've been protecting Riley
because

she doesn't trust anyone to stay once
she tells the truth.

Writing this, I realize I've been
protecting myself

too.

But you read what I was afraid to say
and haven't turned away.

I know this book is about Jonathan and
Riley, but

I think I'm ready to admit it's about

more than the book.

And I trust you with that.

As scary as it is to ask this, is this
about more than

the book for you too?

I don't want to write a story or live my
own life where wanting less

feels...

Thought I heard the faint sound of
brilliance. You still working?

I need to finish this last chapter.

You close?

Getting there.

I stayed late at work tonight, and I'm
glad I did. I needed to see the notes

left. Is it weird that I'm kind of sad
the book's almost done?

Not even a little.

What are you going to do when there's no
more notes?

Currently weighing options, but I have a
pretty good idea.

You know...

This rewrite has changed you.

You seem, I don't know, more grounded
than I've ever seen, more

sure and ready.

I am.

Okay. Good night. Good night.

You asked if this was about more than
the book. It is.

You said you trust me, so I'm going to
ask you to do something that proves it.

If this stays here between the margins
and ink, then it never mattered the way

you think it does.

You owed the truth to Jonathan and
Riley, and you owe it to yourself.

If you're ready to stop writing in the
margins and take a chance.

Leave the manuscript open to the end
where Riley risks losing it all for

If it's open, I'll know you're ready to
meet.

I'll understand either way.

Do you need something, Giselle?

Just surprised you're still here.

Well, it's work day.

Not what I meant, but okay.

Seems like someone went way out of their
way for you.

Good to know.

Savannah! Oh, I'm sorry. Oh, I was just
leaving.

Perfect timing. Thank you.

Yeah, figured you could use the
interruption.

Now that I'm here, can I ask you
something?

Of course.

When you're working on something that
matters, how do you know when to stop?

Like when you've said what you meant.

Because if you just keep adjusting the
ending, you never really find out what

was trying to say.

Uh -huh.

Uh, sometimes you just have to trust
that what it says is enough.

Yeah.

Yeah, that makes sense.

Sorry, I'm...

probably overthinking me too i do that
too yeah okay well thank you of course

hey

taking over my office hi uh yeah i hope
you don't mind i had a meeting with an

author you're welcome to any room in
pendleton savannah

Actually, I was hoping to catch you
before you left.

How did it... How was... How did the
meeting go?

Great. We came up with a new title,
Forgotten Words and Why They Matter.

That sounds like something my mother
would really enjoy.

It really does.

Is now a good time?

Yeah, yeah. I'm meeting someone soon,
but I have a few minutes.

Okay. Only just because I've been...
I've just been thinking a lot

about things recently, and I don't want
to assume anything that is not there.

Okay. But also, I don't want to pretend
that something hasn't changed.

Because for me...

It has.

And I guess I'm just asking if you think
there's any room to

see where that might lead.

William,

for a long time, I have stayed quiet
because it felt safe.

It was easier for me to just believe
that's who I am.

But recently, something changed.

Someone helped me see myself
differently, and we've become involved

in a way.

I don't fully understand yet, but what I
do know is for the first time, I

feel chosen, not overlooked or

convenient.

I've really enjoyed getting to know you
these last couple weeks.

But I do feel like I owe it to myself to
give him a chance.

Yeah, look, it's... I'm glad that you
found something and

someone that matters.

I'm so happy for you.

Thank you.

Yeah. Good night, Savannah.

Good night.

Hey, you didn't wake me up when you got
home. It was late. I needed to write.

So how did it go with your mystery
editor?

He didn't show.

Oh, maybe you like the mystery more than
the reality.

I'm so sorry.

It's okay.

I let Riley take a chance on love in the
book, and I guess I wanted the same

thing. Her ending just turned out better
than mine.

Buzz, you know what?

What? It's finished.

As in finished? Finished. Yep, as in
really finished.

Ah, so what now? Now I sent it to
Claire.

But not hiding under a pen name.

A Savannah Cade.

And it's got a new title.

Oh.

I'm really proud of you.

Thank you.

I think I'm going to leave a copy for
the mystery editor just in case.

I love everything about this idea, but
you should probably change out of

yesterday's clothes first.

No, I think year over year it's going
up, but hey, uh, can I let you go? I

someone walking in. Yeah. All right.
Thank you. Do you have a minute? Yeah.

please come on in.

Sorry. I think a little bit of a mess. I
know.

I just, I wanted to let you know, I
finished it.

You finished it?

The book.

I thought you'd want to know.

The book.

Yeah. Oh yeah.

That, that is great.

And about last night, before you say
anything, I do understand why you didn't

show up. You don't have to explain.

Oh, thank you. Yeah, because we, um...
Show up where?

Exactly. The room.

Our room.

Okay.

Sabine, I think we might be having two
different conversations. I'm talking

about the article that I was struggling
to finish, but you're talking about a

book. No, you actually helped me stop
overthinking the ending and... I wanted

thank you for that. But, yeah, I had no
idea you were writing a book. That's

incredible. Really.

You didn't know?

No. No, I didn't.

And now I do feel a little bit foolish
because I'm stressed about a contracts

article. You wrote an entire book.

Right.

Yeah. I really thought I messed up
something important.

Glad I did not.

You didn't.

It wasn't you.

You didn't know.

I didn't know.

Uh... What? What did I not know?

This is my mystery bedroom.

Thank you.

You didn't just help me become a better
writer by breaking down walls on the

page.

You helped me break down walls on my
own.

Even though my love story didn't turn
out the way I had hoped,

I will always be grateful we met in the
margins.

I love Savannah.

She didn't know.

It was you.

Yes. The note?

The question?

Everything in this room?

That was all you?

I thought you knew.

I tried to tell you.

More than once.

I know that now.

When I told you about feeling chosen.

I thought you were choosing someone
else.

No.

I was choosing you all along. I just, I
didn't know.

You left your manuscript.

I... I thought this was goodbye.

What love story would end like that?

So, you regret coming out of your very
short retirement?

Not even a little.

Turns out building a romance division
was exactly what Pendleton Publishing

needed. It may be what I needed for my
own last act.

Thanks to you, we have one of the most
exciting new voices in romance.

I might have started the division for
you here, but you and I know she had an

exceptional editor in you.

Thank you.

Look at you.

I can't believe it's actually happening.
I never doubted it, or you, for a

second.

What

was that

about? That was your mother giving me
her approval, I think.

Yeah. So, your first author appreciation
day as an actual author.

How do you feel?

Uh, nervous, but the good kind.

Oh, Giselle, Savannah, have one of
those, please.

Of course.

Thank you, Giselle.

Was that necessary?

Oh, your boyfriend, probably not. But as
your editor, absolutely.

Can't have you parched during your
interviews now, can we?

Are you saying?

Well, tell me, Miss Kay. You were
writing a love story. Would you have

interest stay with his lady lady?

Always.

I do love the way you write.