“If by history you mean we knew each other,” I stammer while trying to act unaffected. I don’t think I’m pulling it off at all. I look over at Wyatt, and he looks…hurt?
“But, you’re friends now?” Naomi pushes.
“Strictly professional,” I say smugly as I flash my best “fuck you” grin at Wyatt, making sure he knows I got his message loud and clear.
I feel vindicated, but the look on his face squeezes my heart. I shake my head to myself because this is ridiculous. What we had was a stupid teenage fling where I was silly enough to think he was my one true love. Spoiler: the first guy you sleep with is never your soulmate, no matter how it feels.
Ok, I need to get out of here. Let’s wrap up this meeting because being around Wyatt is causing me to have some feelings that need to stay buried. There’s no way I’m going back there, and he’s made it clear he’s not interested.
I need to figure out how to minimize my time on this task force. I don’t even represent his sister yet, so other than the occasional red carpet event or party, there is absolutely no reason for us to see each other.
“I better get back to my office,” I say.
I hug Naomi and promise to meet for lunch soon and then give a small wave to Wyatt. I see Katie has returned and is eager to escort him to his next meeting. When I turn back to sneak a look at him, his eyes are on me, and they look anything but professional.
sixteen
. . .
WYATT
“I hearyou’ve been spending time with a certain talent agent,” Jake says with a smirk as he walks into my office and relaxes on the couch that sits along a wall of windows looking out over the LA Westside. “Is she as professional as you hoped?”
For all the confidentiality surrounding lawyers, they sure are the biggest gossips. No doubt he heard about the meetings at TWA from one of the attorneys over there. I know Jake is giving me shit. He’s convinced this is one of those second-chance romance setups his soon-to-be wife is always reading about.
“I’ve only been in one meeting with her this week, and I’m not even sure how many more will be necessary. It shouldn’t take long for her to summarize how things work from an agent’s point of view.”
It’s true, but technically, I don’t need to spend any additional time with Blair, either. She could simply let the in-house legal team know, or we could correspond via email. Instead, I’ve had our team here set up a series of meetings daily because I want to guarantee I run into her.
“Well then, I suppose that’s good.”
Jake lies back on the couch, getting comfortable.
“Get your shoes off that couch,” I snap.
Jake adjusts so his feet are hanging over the couch’s arm.
I get up and walk over to the coffee bar opposite the couch and grab us both a cup. If he’s stretching out, he’ll be here for a minute, and I might as well take a break.
“So, why are you here?” I ask.
“Final tux fitting. Thought maybe you’d want to come along and see how yours fits, too.”
As the best man, I should be more on top of all this, but clearly, I’ve been distracted.
“Sorry, man. Of course, I’ll go with.”
“I didn’t come here to guilt you, but since we’re on the topic of guilt, any more thoughts about coming over to Hays and Cole?”
That’s the firm where Jake has been since we graduated. The best entertainment law firm in LA—and where I would work if I weren’t expected to fulfill a legacy.
“Come on, man. You know I think about it all the time. But it’s never going to happen. I appreciate you still holding out hope.”
“Ryan wants to meet with you.”
What? Ryan Cole is one of the founders and one of LA’s most successful and influential lawyers. I am absolutely stunned. This is the firm I once dreamed of working for, the place where my aspirations of shaping the entertainment industry felt most possible. I’ve always been trapped by this deep sense of loyalty to my father, and the thought of leaving his practice feels like a betrayal. I’m not sure I could do it.
I allow myself to daydream for a minute about the opportunity to learn from the best in the business, someone whose work I’ve admired for so long. I could meet with him. It doesn’t have to mean anything. Networking is important in our field.
