“Fun people?”
“I’m sure you’re fun, boss. We just don’t like the same things.”Ian shook his head. “I’m sure museums are exciting for you, but I like… more music and chaos.”
Greta gave Charlie an appraising look, taking in her sensible trousers, blouse, and blazer. “Andyougo with him?”
“Sometimes.”
“Huh.” Greta realized she knew little about their social lives, and impulsively, she added, “Tell me next time. Maybe my date and I can join you.”
“Your date?”
Greta shot a look at Ian before pulling her shoulders back. “I’m seeing an author. Romantically. I met her before she was my author… under an assumed name… and now we are dating.”
“Good for you, boss.” Ian nodded. “So I assume I have my first official author?”
“Second. I think you ought to offer on the gay mystery you had me read,” Greta said. “You’re right. It’s a solid book. I will, of course, be here to advise you on both as needed.”
Ian’s small smile blossomed into a wide beaming one. “I’m going to go make some calls. I have a couple agents and an auth—”
“In a minute.”
Once they were in the room with the door closed, she said, “Kaelee started life under another name.” Greta took a breath. She had Kaelee’s permission, but that didn’t make this easy. “Her father has reached out in a threatening way. He’d like the book canceled. He’s extremely right-wing, and having his daughter in the media as a lesbian has upset him even though they have not had contact in a decade.”
“So damage control,” Charlie surmised.
“One of us ought to be present at each tour stop,” Greta suggested.
“I’ll talk to the stores, too, as we schedule to check safety and security.” Charlie was already in problem-solving mode.
“I’ll get the notes on the next novel prioritized to distract her,” Ian added.
Greta nodded at both of them. “I told her she has the best team,but… I’m anxious for her, too. I think we want to have legal brought up to speed.”
“As her editor, I’ll handle that,” Ian offered. “Charlie? Want to come with?” Then he looked at Greta. “We’ll keep you in the loop, boss, but don’t you worry. We’ll keep our author safe as houses.”
“I know.” Greta impulsively hugged Ian. “Thank you. In related notes… I’ll be headed to DC and working remotely the rest of the week.” Her cheeks burned in embarrassment, even though she was not sure why. Maybe it was simply admitting she had a life outside the office.
Charlie caught her gaze. “She seems lovely. I hope this works out for both of you. You deserve it after the way things went with Tasha.”
“Sometimes, things just aren’t the right time or place,” Greta said quietly. “Tasha isn’t a bad person. She just wasn’tmyperson. Maybe Kaelee won’t be either, but I want to find out.”
Afterward, as she was walking back to her office, Greta realized that she might have more friends than she realized. She’d closed herself off so much that she failed to notice the great people right in front of her. Opening her heart to Kaelee was having the side effect of opening her heart in general.
By Wednesday evening, Greta sat on the train thinking about the last time she took the Acela from Manhattan down to Union Station. That was only a couple of months ago, but that trip had changed everything. Meeting Kaelee was the single best thing that had happened to her in an already victory-filled year. But now Greta had to decide if she was going to see her one remaining author from DC—as opposed to the last trip, when Toni met her at the station and Kaelee refused to meet her.
Kaelee’s not my author anymore, not really. Ian is her editor. I am… I don’t even know what the right label is now.
Greta gathered her weekend bag and her work bag, which heldher laptop, and walked out of the train car and into the station. Unexpectedly, Kaelee was waiting at the seating area. She looked more relaxed than Greta expected, a long winter coat folded over her arm and a scarf wrapped around her neck. Without a word, she held a hand out for Greta’s shoulder bag.
“You don’t have to carry my things,” Greta protested briefly.
“True, but I want to.” Kaelee still had her hand extended. “Please?”
Greta kept her roller bag, but she handed over her work bag, which Kaelee promptly shouldered. Then Kaelee held her arm open, inviting an embrace.
“Can I kiss you yet?” Greta whispered as Kaelee wrapped a strong arm around Greta’s back and held her close for a moment.
“Please.” Kaelee shifted so they were face-to-face. Her smile was a little embarrassed as she said, “I don’t know if I can manage much more than kisses tonight. I slept horribly last night. If I wasn’t picking you up, I’d already be asleep.”
