“More or less. Not quite as curvy as my taste. More statuesque Boudica than naked, clever Lady Godiva. And in Victorian widow’s dress.”
Emily paused, nodded. “Okay, visual acquired. I have the character, the setting, and… where are thepages,Toni?”
Toni took a deep breath. “Fiction is more intimidating than academia. If I send a paper out, they critique my research or my methodology, and I can revise. It’s—”
“Agent, dear,” Emily interrupted. “I know how intimidating it can be.” She reached out and squeezed Toni’s wrist. “If it’s good, though, it’s a start to filling that hole that the debt is creating. Let me see it.”
Toni was sure of her teaching and sure of her academic papers. She was sure she was a trustworthy friend and a loyal daughter. Hell, she was sure of her prowess in bed. She wasn’t sure of her fiction writing skills, though.
“It was just a thing I did to recharge when I was sick of classes and worried, so if it sucks, you’ll tell me… right?” Toni looked at her best friend and hated herself just a little for feeling like a coward.
Emily tossed back her wine. “Email it to me tonight.”
“But if it’s awful, you’ll—”
“Toni, I love you like the sister I wished I had, but we both know I won’t burn my career pitching a book that’s not going to build my reputation.” Emily smiled with her professional smile, one that made sensible people flinch and made Toni relax. Emily added, “If your book is terrible, I’ll tell you.”
Toni sighed. “If it isn’t, though…”
“If itisn’t,I’ll sell it, and you’ll have something to put a dent in that debt of yours. At the least we can get a five- to fifteen-thousand-dollar deal to cover some more time at the facility for your mom. Even an average deal would help, right?”
Toni nodded, feeling more unsure than she was used to around Emily. “I want brutal honesty, though. Don’t be nice because you like me.”
“Ob-viously,” Emily said in an exaggerated drawl before laughing.
They had few secrets and even less judgment, but Toni had heard the stories of people doing ridiculous things to get the attention of an agent. One man had followed Emily into the ladies’ room at the airport, and it was best not to even think about the panic that they’d been through when some enterprising fool sent a vial of what looked like blood along with her pitch for a vampire book.
“I don’t want to take advantage of you,” Toni said.
Emily laughed louder. “You might be one of the few women here thinking that.”
Toni sent a wide-spanning glare around the pub. She didn’t often play the stereotypically overprotective sibling, but she relished it when she could. Unlike her, Emwasa relationship person, and while Toni didn’t understand it, she would defend Emily’s virtue at the hint of a frown.
She also felt awkward as hell right now. Mixing business and friendship was a terrible idea. She grabbed Emily’s arm. “Nothing will change if you hate it, you know?”
“Dumbass.” Emily gave her a doting smile. “Of course Iknow.… are we still on for breakfast? Or I can grab a train to London if you’re sure you’re headed home…?”
“I need to go back. I hate to abandon you, and it would be amazing if my scribbles made money, but what are the odds of that?” Toni scoffed. “Unlike my dear departed deadbeat of a dad, I live in the real world. So I need to talk to the department chair. Try to get something in motion.”
Emily sighed. “I’m extra sorry I missed our dinner now. I’ll come down to DC to see you when we’re both back.”
“You could stay now and have another drink,” Toni suggested.
“Nope. I’m clearing my desk so when you send me the book tonight, I can read it and sell—”
“Maybe sell,” Toni interjected.
Emily laughed. “Sweetie, you can write, and you know the era. I am already optimistic, so I’m going into it thinking positive enough for both of us.” She leaned in and brushed a kiss on Toni’s head. “Trust Auntie Em.”
“We’re the same age,” Toni pointed out.
“Technically… now, go play. I expect to hear about whatever you’re going to do once I leave to ease that… mood.” Emily gave her an exaggerated brow wiggle that made Toni laugh despite everything. “Then I expect a book in my inbox, Ms. Darbyshire, or I’ll be pounding on your hotel door.”
“Yes, dear,” Toni agreed.
Then Emily left, and Toni realized that she no longer had any intention of rushing back to her hotel room. Hope was a powerful drug.
Chapter 3Toni
