“Forward me the bill, Dylan!” Austin yelled at my back.
I paused and finally turned around. “What?”
Austin crossed the parking lot toward me while Ryan stayed next to my truck.
“I was wrong about her. Indy has been a great addition to the shop. I like her. She’s made a difference with clients and the crazies.” He stepped closer and lowered his voice. “And I have our lawyer going over our contract with the Urban Channel about either getting a different producer or getting an unbiased network representative for us. And also what we need to do if we want out. I like her idea of starting our own online channel. Apparently we can’t do it while filming with them—violates the non-compete or whatever. But we’re keeping our options open.”
“Okay.” I was pretty sure this was the longest conversation I’d had with my older brother in a long time. It was nice, but also kinda weird. “I wouldn’t mind going the online route for what it’s worth.”
“I imagine once we have all the info, we’ll put it up to a vote. I’ll let you know.” He patted my shoulder then took a few steps backward but still facing me. “And I’m serious about the phone. Send me the bill, and I’ll see about adding her to the company account.”
I couldn’t remember the last time I had his approval. Definitely not since the whole fiasco with our sperm donor. It felt like the beginning of a big change.
I just hoped I didn’t screw it up.
Chapter 15
Indy
Dinner with Ryan, Hope, and Felicity had been a blast. Ryan was funny in a self-deprecating kinda way. Felicity was crazy cute and had the most delicious giggle. And I felt like I was finally making a friend with Hope. We had so much in common—our love of all things T Swift, our taste in books, and our taste in men.
She whispered as much as I helped her gather some of Felicity’s things as they were getting ready to leave.
“You guys are so cute together.”
The words made me freeze. I whipped a quick glance over my shoulder to make sure the guys hadn’t overheard that. Since they were both blowing raspberries on Fliss’ shoulders, I think I was in the clear.
Felicity’s burbles of laughter made me smile even as my heart felt heavy.
I shook my head. “I’m afraid he doesn’t feel the same way.”
“Iknewit!” Hope crowed—so freaking loudly.
“Oh my god.” I hissed, waving a hand. “Put it on a billboard, why don’t you?”
“You girls okay over there?” Ryan asked. “Need a hand?”
I didn’t have to look at him to know that both the guys were looking at us curiously. I gave Hope a death glare.Really?
She winced. “We’re good!” she yelled back at her fiancé before wiggling closer to me and lowering her voice. “Sorry.”
I widened my eyes at her and handed her a Doctor Seuss board book.
“But really,” she hunched down next to me and whispered, “I think he might be open to it. I’ve seen the way he watches you when you aren’t looking. That’s an interested guy, I’m telling you.”
“He calls me kid or kiddo. He does not see me in a romantic way whatsoever.”
She sucked in a breath. “Thatisa problem. What could we do to make him see you as the adult you clearly are? What to do, what to do…”
“Yeah, I’m not the scheming type. He either likes me or he doesn’t. It’s as simple as that.”
“Usually I’d agree with you, but in this case I think you’re wrong. Dylan’s developed such a rigid moral code he’s trying to live by now that he’s not letting any room in for fun. And that’s not healthy. Sabrina, Maddie, Rachel, and I have been talking about it. We think you might be just the thing to bring him back to life.”
I snorted a short laugh. “I can verify that this is no fairytale. True love’s kiss ain’t gonna do shit. And there are no fairy godmothers coming to fix it all.”
“Some might argue Dylan’s been a bit like a fairy godfather for you.”
Her words landed like a blow, sucking all the air out of me.
