Let’s tentatively say 1PM at the Madison entrance steps if you can find the time. If you can’t make it, we still have the meet and greet soon. See you then!?
Greta
She knew with certainty that Kaelee wasn’t going to meet her. For whatever reason, her new author was proving incredibly reclusive. No phone contact. No replies on the request for an author photo. Her bio for the promotional material was as dry as stale crackers.
Please let her be an introvert!Most authors were, but there was always a fear that there was a problematic secret, and after photos of Toni and her now-fiancée went viral, Greta was full up on drama. She likedsomedrama. At this point, she was recently promoted with several bestsellers in her stable of authors. Drama of the bestseller list or awards was the sort she preferred. She had goals: eventuallyto have her own imprint, and along the way to collect more quality books by authors she could build long-term relationships with as they grew together. First step, getting Toni’s new book. Second step, bonding with her new author, whose book had what it took to be a hit.
The train pulled into the station with an abrupt end, and Greta slipped her phone into her pocket. She had brought a slightly larger bag than normal, as she was leaning toward taking the day to see a few exhibits. There was something refreshing about Washington, DC, in the early fall. The flood of children was back in school, so although there were stillsometourists, the city wasn’t overrun with them.
The train spilled the standard suit-clad men out of the car. There were a few darker-skinned faces and women, but the business crowd in her car was easily eighty percent middle-aged white men. Whether the other passengers had boarded at Penn Station where she had or been gathered up in Philadelphia or the couple of other stops, this crowd had the look of men who were home for the weekend. Around her was a sea of briefcases, statement ties, and a varying quality of suits. Greta felt her petite stature a little more poignantly in crowds. She was not much over five feet, and she had a chest that announced her presence no matter how she dressed. She mostly wore heels—today it was heeled boots—to appear taller, but they did great things for her legs.
As she noticed several men’s gazes, she had a stray thought that a clear label would be nice. Maybe neon. Flashing. Something to be crystal clear that she was not available. Instead, she kept her resting bitch face in place. Greta draped her long lightweight coat over her arm, extended the handle of her bag, and stepped into the fray. A pencil skirt and blazer didn’t do enough to hide her pinup-girl curves.
She followed the crowd into the station, resisting the urge to steamroll around a few meandering travelers. Inside, she headed unerringly to the café where she was to meet her author—stillvaguely irritated that theotherlocal author was not interested in meeting her, too. It was an anomaly to have an author make no effort to meet up.
Editing wasn’t necessarily social, but Kaelee Carpenter was an enigma. She had no social media presence, and her persona over email was stiff with only a few exceptions. She’d recommended some music by female-focused artists like Brandi Carlile, Kehlani, and Morgan Wade. They swapped a few book and film recommendations, but aside from those, all conversation was solely on the book. Typically, authors let a few things slip. Kaelee never mentioned anything in her past; in fact, her author questionnaire made it seem as if she had appeared fully formed as an adult. Her only “local connections” were to the college where she was a graduate student.
And Toni.She knew Toni because she was her teaching assistant at the college. She had exactly one known connection, and that was to Greta’s own author.
Greta responded to mysteries likes cats reacted to closed doors. She didn’t necessarilywantto be on the opposite side of the door, but she also didn’t like the door being closed. A part of Greta always wanted to build genuine connections with her authors.
As she walked toward the restaurant where she’d set the meeting, Greta paused briefly to take in the space. The architecture was striking, a high curved ceiling that arched from pillars. The overall feel was of vastness. Between the gilt-trimmed arches and the white and black tile on the floor, it was a marvelous space.
Greta reached the café inside the massive train station, where Toni was already seated. Her author was dressed slightly more professionally than in her initial publishing meetings. Now, she had on a well-tailored suit in a darker blue, a shirt that was more stylish than business, and a smartwatch. The influence of her financial success and her fiancée’s Hollywood life had subtle but obvious effects on her attire.
Toni was undoubtedly still acerbic and terse. Most of her private life was closely guarded, but mentioning Addie in a flatteringway softened the baseline cantankerousness that Toni exuded like a shield.
Maybe I just haven’t found Kaelee’sthing,her topic that makes her warm up,Greta mused.
Toni came to her feet at Greta’s approach. She pulled out a seat for Greta and once Greta was seated, she motioned for the server to bring a glass of water.
“Good trip?” Toni asked once they were alone.
“I worked. The Acela is reliable and quiet,” Greta allowed. The train ride was like a lot of trains, but this one had a quiet car, which ought to be a requirement on every train. “How are you?”
“We emailed earlier in the week.” Toni frowned. “Then I taught. I miss my woman. I miss having a competent TA since you stole Kaelee from me.”
Greta repressed a laugh. “I didn’t steal Ms. Carpenter. I bought her book.”
“Same thing.” Toni paused while Greta ordered. Then she added, “Addie sends her best. She’s back in LA for the week.”
They caught up for a few minutes, discussed the book plans, and then Greta asked, “What’s Ms. Carpenter like? She doesn’t seem particularly gregarious.”
“Greta… I’m not great at this sort of thing. Ask her yourself or talk to Addie. I can’t spy on her.”
“Have I offended her?” Greta fussed with her napkin.
“She’s just a private person. It’s probably not you. Kae is pretty much a loner. Works out. Writes books in secret. Grades fairly. She’s private.” Toni took another drink of her coffee. “Talk to Em if you are worried. My guess, since you asked, is that she’s overwhelmed. She’s reached a pivotal point in her PhD,andshe has a book launch. Speaking from experience, I can say that juggling two huge things is not easy. Maybe you’re intimidating? She was pretty quiet with me the first month she was my TA.”
“Fine. It helps to hear that she’s private in general. I asked her to meet, but she refused.”
Toni rolled her eyes. “Kae and I meet for lunch about every three weeks. We chat over coffee in my office sometimes. We’re both busy writing books to sendyou,though. Grad school isn’t rife with free time, you know, and book deadlines can make everything feel daunting.”
“About that…” Greta met her gaze. They hadonebig topic to tackle yet, the real reason Greta was here. “You know, I hope, that I am not trying to pressure you towritefaster. I just want to get the contract started.” Greta kept her tone level despite the frustration she was feeling.
“I am well aware.” Toni suddenly looked as frustrated as Greta felt. “You and Em have both made that quite clear.”
“And?” Greta had taken the Acela to DC in hopes that a face-to-face meeting would help convince Toni to sell two more books—hell, evenonemore book. Typically, she would only meet with Toni if her agent, Emily Haide, were present, but Emily had given her blessing for this meeting.
