Her mouth drops open. “Why would he do that?”
“Well, when I asked Linda why you were leaving MVP she said she thought it might have something to do with you wanting to be an author.”
Chloe brings her hands together in front of her face like she’s praying before bringing them to rest over her mouth. I was hoping the offer to co-write a book with Mitch would be met with more exuberance. Maybe she’s just stunned. “What do you think?”
“Mitch Landry, the man considered to be the next Nicolas Sparks, wants to co-write a book with…me?”
I nod and smile. Now she’s getting the significance of this. “Yes, he would like you to finish editing his current manuscript and then co-write his next book with him.”
“Me?”
“Yes,” I say slowly, hoping it really sinks in this time.
“My name would be on the front cover, next to his?”
“Well, his name would be above yours in a slightly bigger font, but your name would be below that on the front cover.”
“Wow,” a giant smile spreads across her face. I don’t know how I never noticed, but Chloe has a beautiful smile. Between that and the wetsuit that accentuates her curves, I’m suddenly having a hard time concentrating on business. I lean in to make myself focus.
“So, what do you think? Are you interested?”
She narrows her gaze. “What’s the catch?”
“There’s no catch other than you’d have to work more closely with me.” I wink, assuming that's a plus. “Mitch is willing to pay you twenty-five percent more than MVP. He’d want you in Boulder next week, so you could get started right away.”
“You…Mitch…Boulder…Colorado…”
I lean back in my chair sensing the win. “Yeah, we could get you set up in a hotel until you find a place.”
Chloe blinks repeatedly, and then chews on her lip. “I’m sorry, I cannot wrap my head around this. Why me? MVP has plenty of editors.”
“He appreciates your attention to detail and…Mitch is superstitious. You were his editor when his first book madeThe New York TimesBestseller list.”
You’d think his aversion to change and superstitious nature would give me job security, but apparently agents are not included.
Chloe stares out at the ocean. “Can I think about it?”
I try to hide my disappointment. Mitch is not going to be happy. He assumed she’d jump on the opportunity to work with him immediately. I’ll have to buy her some time. “Yeah no problem. Can you let me know by tomorrow night? Mitch is anxiously awaiting your answer.”
“Okay.” Chloe blows out a breath, and her smile returns. “I still can't believe you're here…and that you know my real name.”
Rubbing my temple, I exhale. “I’m sorry about that. When Brittany told me, I felt like such a jerk. I thought you knew I was kidding.”
Chloe shakes her head and laughs to herself. “I should have corrected you.”
That’s something I’ve been thinking about. “Why didn’t you?”
“Because,” she holds out her hand toward me. “You’re Bronson Campbell…literary agent with celebrity clients and basically a celebrity in your own right.”
I’ve been to my share of red carpet events, but compared to my clients, I hardly feel like a celebrity. “I don’t know about that. I’m just a normal guy.”
Chloe’s eyes sparkle as she smiles. “I don’t know aboutthat.” She glances down at her phone to avert her gaze from mine. “Oh shoot, I need to get going. Can I call you tomorrow with my answer?”
“Sure, yeah.” I stand and push in my chair. I’m trying to sound casual and not like my career depends on her answer. “Could I take you out to dinner tonight? We could talk more?”
“Yeah, that’d be great.” Chloe’s face lights up and then dims. “Wait, no. Sorry, I have plans tonight. Thank you for the offer though.”
I’m disappointed, but not just because I won’t get to pitch the job further. If I’m honest, I’m seeing Chloe in a whole new light. I always thought she was pretty, but there’s something about seeing her outside a stale office that has me hoping for more time with her.
