21. Chapter 21
I swiveled in my desk chair, back and forth, my forehead creased as I stared at the only part of my desk that wasn’t covered in files, notes, and books.
I was working up the courage to march into Sofia’s office and ask for a massive favor but hadn’t quite figured out how.
I chewed on the pen I’d been twirling around in my fingers for at least ten minutes.
If only I could wait a few weeks to ask for the favor—until after the promotion was decided—just in case it made things awkward at work.
But after seeing Viviana in tears over lunch in public today, I couldn’t resist offering to help.
I’d spit out the first thing that came to mind.
Sure, I’d help her find an agent. I’d use my connections, flimsy though they still were, being new to the business.
With a deep sigh, I placed my feet flat on the floor to steady the chair. I rose and walked directly to Sofia’s office, knocking lightly first.
Now or never.
“Hey, Sof—”
“Annie, hey! You are not going to believe the deal we got for Campton’s next trilogy. He’ll be kissing my—” She stopped short, her eyes widening as she scanned her computer screen. “Oh, hold on. Just a minute, OK?”
I nodded, stepping further into the office.
After a blitz of furious typing, Sofia met my eyes, but she looked disoriented. “Sorry about that. Where were we?”
I needed to jump right in before I could change my mind, remembering the look on Viviana’s face yesterday when she’d imagined herself failing as an author.
I’d seen that devastation on the faces of at least a dozen authors at work, in addition to the hundreds or thousands who never made it out of the slush pile.
It was ten times worse when the author was my friend.
“So I wanted to talk to you about something. Actually, I … ah, I have a favor to ask. Kind of a big one.”
Sofia turned fully away from her computer monitor and rested her chin on her hands. “OK, I’m listening.”
“You can say no. Especially if it’s a conflict of interest. I am hoping it’s not, but I’m not sure. I … this is awkward. I hope—”
“Annie, you’ve known me a while now. When I want to say no to someone, what do I do?”
“You say no,” I said, and we both chuckled.
“Point taken. OK. Well, all right, here’s the short version.
A close friend wrote her first novel, and she wants me to help her find an agent.
I wanted to ask if you’d be willing to read it.
First 30 pages, or less, whatever you can squeeze in.
” I spoke rapidly but then paused. “Again, you can say no. I just—”
“Sure.”
I inhaled sharply. “Sure, as in you’ll do it? Or—”
“Of course.”
Relieved, I smiled, relaxing into the chair near Sofia’s desk. I should have known Sofia wouldn’t let me down. She never let anyone down.
“Given how crazy things are now though, could I put this on my planner for sometime in the fall, maybe as early as September? With you vouching for her, I’m sure I’d want to take her on, but I want to give her the attention she’d need. ”
My spirits deflated. This wasn’t surprising. Sofia had been closed to queries for almost a month now since she was so swamped. “Oh, uh …”
She eyed me curiously. “Ah, wrong answer? Is your friend in a hurry?”
“Not in a hurry so much, but … well, you know how it is for new authors. Her confidence has really taken a hit with some early querying. I was hoping a quicker uptake could help her feel better. But you can’t fit her in now.
Of course you can’t—I know your schedule.
” I shook her head. “Sorry, you gave me a totally reasonable, generous answer. I just wish I could help her more myself. Please don’t stress about fitting this in. ”
“I’ll help,” said a voice from behind. I’d know that voice anywhere, but I turned around to confirm. Or to … ogle. Kylan was dressed in gym shorts and a casual blue shirt, his brow glistening with sweat.
I tried not to stare. “Uh, hi, we were just—”
“Sorry, I overheard,” he said. “And sorry about the sweaty gym clothes. I had an urgent business meeting that came up while I was working out, so I didn’t have time to change and shower—well, you get the picture.”
“Oh, we get the picture,” Sofia said, her voice low. “And you needn’t apologize for it.”
Oddly, Kylan blushed at that. Only slightly, and it was barely noticeable on his already sweaty and slightly flushed face, but I still noticed.
It was surprising, with all the time they’d spent together lately, that he’d be embarrassed about a flirty comment.
Maybe only because it was spoken in front of me.
I sighed. “I was just going to head back to my desk anyway—”
“Wait,” he said in his commanding voice, placing a hand on my forearm as I went to move past him.
I stepped back immediately, putting a couple feet of distance between us.
“I mean it. I can help. You have a friend looking for an agent for their first manuscript, I gather?” When I nodded slowly, he continued, “I’ll take it home this weekend and read it. Or tonight. ”
My eyes widened.
I can’t be hearing this right.
Before I could protest, Sofia replied, “I’d love that, Kylan. Sort of a screening to save me some time?”
Kylan looked back and forth between us a few times. “That isn’t going to ultimately save you much time though, since you have to read it anyway if you’re going to represent someone. How about this: I’ll read it, and if it’s not trash, I’ll represent the author.”
I gasped. “As in … yourself?”
“Yes.”
“But …” I looked between them, unsure how to reply, stunned that he would do this. “You, uh … you’re—”
Sofia chuckled. “You’re the big guy in charge, Kylan, so we’re a little surprised. But I think I can speak for both myself and Ms. Tongue-Tied over there and say that we’d be really grateful, if you think you have the time.”
I cleared my throat, embarrassed. “It’s just—well, I didn’t know you represented authors yourself. Anymore.”
“Not often,” he admitted, giving us a half-smile. “It’s not a big deal though. I like to stay involved at various levels of my companies.”
I nodded and then froze. He couldn’t know yet who the author in question was.
Mentioning her name was the last thing I wanted to do, but I needed to tell him now, so he had a chance to change his mind.
My voice shook as I said, “You need to know, the aspiring author is my friend Viviana Cantwell. She’s—”
His face didn’t change, but his voice was quiet. “I remember.” He glanced at his watch quickly. “Give her my email address and have her send the manuscript. I’ve got to run.” Before I could blink, he was heading out the door with a quick wave.
I sank into the chair nearest to her.
After a moment of silence, Sofia spoke up. “Annie? I know this is a little irregular, but it’s fine. Take it as the gift that it is.” She smiled. “Think of the connections he has. He could get her published anywhere, probably. ”
Sofia was right. This was a gift. I should be overjoyed or at least relieved. Instead, worries swirled around in my mind as I forced a smile for Sofia. This was a blessing, I reminded myself again.
But Viviana doesn’t like Kylan.
And he sure as heck doesn’t like Viviana, and with good reason.
How can this possibly work?
And why is he doing this?
I needn’t have worried about Viviana’s reaction to the shocking news.
Sure, she’d been astonished, as anyone would be, and she didn’t believe me at first. Shock had transitioned into mistrust and even a hint of the old scorn, until Jack reminded her of how powerful Kylan had become in this industry.
After Jack said, “I’ve never known you to be a snob, love,” Viviana softened, nodding in acceptance.
By the time we’d met for lunch the following weekend, Viviana looked ready to jump out of her skin with excitement as she grinned at me.
“I have an agent! I’m going to be a real writer with a real agent and a real published book!
” I’d just sat back and smiled, glad I could have a role in connecting them and only a little sad that I hadn’t successfully done so years ago, when it mattered most.
It was a warm Tuesday in late June when my phone buzzed with a surprising text: another gushing thank-you text from Viviana, but with an interesting revelation.
Not only was Kylan proving to be invaluable as her new agent, but he’d even volunteered to use his influence in publishing to knock down Gregory a peg or two.
Hearing that Kylan was angry when he heard how Gregory had treated Viviana was almost as surprising as the fact that they’d even talked about the situation at all. Were they somehow becoming friends?
My heartbeat sped up when my eyes drifted to my computer screen and landed on a new email marked Important. I was requested to appear in Francis’s office in … now. I jumped out of my chair. Fr ancis cared about promptness, and this could be the all-important news.
My heart thudded in my chest, and my stomach roiled as I walked quickly to the boss’s office. At the doorway, Francis called out in a clear, authoritative tone, “Don’t keep us waiting, Annie.”
I walked in quickly, and my eyes widened as I saw two other assistants in the room. One seat was empty near Francis’s desk, and the other seats were occupied by two of my fellow assistants.
Once I’d sat down, I stole a glance at the others.
To my right, Jessa’s foot was tapping out a silent but steady rhythm, and her brows were drawn together as she fidgeted.
To my left, though, Ambrose looked confident, cocky even.
He probably had a right to be. He was the most experienced assistant, likely a shoo-in for the promotion.
Still, I lifted my chin in determination.