“I knew you loved me.”
I blink. “How did you know it was me?”
“Oh hey, grumpy Brit! I didn’t. I just like to answer my phone like that. Manifestation, you know?” He doesn’t skipa beat. “But I do know why you’re calling. You’re obviously in love with me, but I can’t betray my man like that.”
“I need your help.”
“Wow. No ‘Hi Will, how are you, Will? How’s life, Will?’” he deadpans. “You really do know how to make a guy feel special.”
I don’t take the bait. We both know better.
He sighs like I’ve personally ruined his afternoon. “You’re no fun. What can I do for you?”
“Is Jake already in Hungary?”
There’s a pause just long enough to make my heart climb straight into my throat.
“Yes. Got there yesterday.”
It stings. I don’t even know why. Maybe because he’s in Europe, closer than he’s been in weeks, and still, nothing. No call. No text. Just space.
“Could—” I clear my throat. “Could you get me on set?”
“Why don’t you ask him? He’s yourpeenpal, not mine.”
I look toward the ceiling, praying for patience. “I want it to be a surprise.”
“You think he’d say no?”
“No.” I hesitate. “Maybe. I don’t know.”
Will exhales loudly, like I’m personally exhausting him. “You two are so emotionally constipated it’s almost poetic.”
I rub my temple. “Will. Can you help or not?”
“Of course I can. I’m charming, beloved, and ridiculously well-connected. But if I pull this off, I get naming rights to your firstborn.”
“We’re not having kids,” I say.Not yet. Not now. I don’tknow.
“Fine. Your next dog.”
“I’m a cat person.”
“You’re driving a hard bargain, Sinclair. But I can deal with a cat. Do we have a deal?”
“Joke’s on you. I’m naming it Lord Ruppert Meowington the Third.” Pause. “And yes, I will call him by his full title every time.”
I wait, and for once, Will softens.
“I’ll call you in an hour with details. But Amy…” His tone dips low and serious. No jokes. No snark.
“Yeah?”
“Don’t fuck it up this time.”
I blink, surprised at the edge in his voice. My stomach twists, guilt blooming.
“You broke his heart when you left. I get it, you had reasons, you needed space. But it wasn’t fair. And it wasn’t right. He loved you, and you ran.”
