Harper debated and tapped his cheek. “Hmm. Well, their motto is ‘Be prepared.’ And you are very well prepared.”
“And you’re impossible.”
Laughing, Harper opened the door. “The answer is yes. Text me ahead of time so I can check my shift. And by the way, I prefer Colson. The full mouthful. Good night.”
He could hear Colson laughing as he locked the door behind him.
Chapter Thirteen
“I have to tell you, Cole, initially I wasn’t sure what to make of this new book when you told me about the romance angle.”
It had been over three years since he’d last sat in his agent’s office. He’d been Ned Thatcher’s first author, and the two of them had become close, working long hours together to make sure his debut novel was ready. Once he’d sold it for foreign rights and hit all the bestseller lists, Ned had acquired other thriller authors in his roster, but the two of them had a special relationship, and Colson knew Ned would always give him a straight-up opinion, whether he wanted to hear it or not.
“No? How come?”
Ned made a face. “Come on. You write gruesome shit. I was leery that people would want to read about someone thinking about sex after viewing dismembered bodies.”
Thinking of Harper and all he’d seen, Colson shrugged. “I don’t know. I think it’s life. Sex and love can often play against violence and the ugly.”
Ned narrowed his eyes. “Are you speaking from experience?”
Dammit. He should’ve known Ned would want more than a cursory response. Colson shifted in his chair. “Well, yeah. My house and a neighbor’s were broken into, and I’ve become friendly with a detective on the case.”
A tiny grin worked its way to Ned’s lips. “Oh, yeah? Friendly as in getting inside info for the book?”
“Uh, well, we haven’t really gotten to that yet.”
Ned whooped. “Is that because you’re too busy getting it on? Halle-fucking-lujah.”
Colson stared at him. “Whoa. Okay. I had no idea you were so invested in my personal life.”
Ned grew serious. “I hated seeing you struggle. Burnout is the worst, and you’re so talented, I know you have more in you. It was Evan’s fucking around, am I right?”
God, he hated dissecting his personal life, even if it was with someone he knew well. He might be right to attribute part of the problem to Evan, but it was more than that. His first two books had flowed from his mind to the page, and when he’d struggled with the third, he listened to the demons in his head whispering,not good enough, not strong enough, not man enough.His parents had shut the door on him, and his grandparents were gone. It was easier to retreat than fight those ugly internal voices.
“I mean, I don’t know. It was definitely a combination of a lot of different things that sucked my confidence dry. But this thing is only casual. Nothing serious.” Although he seriously wanted to see Harper again and not have to wait a week.
“Whatever it is, I’m all for it. The more I read of the story, the more I liked it. I could tell there was something different in your writing. I don’t think I’ve ever read emotion from you like this.” Ned met his eyes. “I like it. Yeah, your detectives have hadpersonal issues, but romance, even if it’s closed-door or sweet, whatever the heck the industry is calling it, adds depth and another dimension to the plot.”
There was nothing like a little validation to shore up one’s confidence, and Colson wasn’t above lapping up the praise.
“I’m glad you like it. I hope the readers respond the same way.”
“Being honest?” All joking aside, Ned put on his agent hat. “I won’t lie. Some readers won’t appreciate a romantic relationship.”
“Because it’s gay?” he challenged.
Ned snorted. “More likely that it’s any type of romance. You’ve never been into writing that genre.” A slow smile crept over his face. “I know you’re saying it’s casual and blah, blah, blah, but maybe you’re feeling things you haven’t in a long time, and it’s something you want to celebrate in your new book.”
“Slow down, lover boy. I haven’t put out anything new in three years. I need something to draw in new readers, and romance is a huge seller. I’m itching to try something new, and this came so naturally to me. Hogan’s wife, Bea, read it, and she said it worked for her.”
Assessing his response, Ned seemed to accept it. “Okay. You know I represent all genres, especially from an own voices author, and I have to admit, I’m enjoying this book even more with the romance you’ve put in like breadcrumbs. It humanizes the detective and makes him relatable on a different level than just another police procedural. Tell me more about how it’s going to play out.”
Relieved that Ned understood, Colson was happy to share. “As I’m seeing it, the two men will work together to solve the case, while at the same time filling the emotional space insideeach other. One’s never experienced love, and the other is recovering from a failed relationship.”
“And is there going to be sex in the book? Just thinking ahead to marketing.”
Colson pondered a moment. “I don’t think so. It’s not necessary. I can show the physical part of their relationship without getting explicit. It’s really how they learn to interact with each other emotionally.”
