“Hey, isn’t that Wyatt…and Lance?” she says.
I look over and see Wyatt entering a restaurant with Lance, and a feeling of irritation mixed with hurt floods through my body.
He totally lied to me.
“Yep,” I say. “He mentioned Lance changed the meeting for today.”
Technically, this is true. He just implied that there were no meetings today and that he wouldn’t be anywhere near my office.
When Stella and Brandon leave, Jess questions my reaction to seeing Wyatt. I recap the story he gave me about his plans for today, which just reinforces my insecurities.
“If you aren’t sure what’s going on, just go talk to him,” she says. “Don’t let him blow you off. You’re not in high school anymore.”
I bring my thumbnail up to my mouth and gnaw on it, thinking about what she said.
She’s right.
“Besides,” she continues, “I’ve known since the Paley event that he is obsessed with you.”
“Bullshit.”
“Bullshit!” she yells back at me. “It was so obvious when you introduced us.”
I want her to be right. I’ve been so focused on being cautious that I missed my heart leaping into love territory.
We finish the lunch by catching up on her life. There’s always something exciting happening, and she’s close to getting a super-exclusive interview that she can’t tell me about yet. She promises I’ll be shocked and impressed with the name. I’m always impressed with her.
As I walk back to the office, I know I have two calls to make. One is to Sophia. She needs to know that I have little confidence in my stability here at TWA and, if she wants to sign with me specifically, she should wait until we get through the rumored layoffs. If it’s the backing of TWA she’s looking for, I can set her up with the names of other agents I trust.
The second call is to Wyatt. It’s time for another talk.
thirty-seven
. . .
WYATT
Fuck.I knew it was a bad idea to meet Lance near the TWA offices. When we sat down at our table, I spotted Blair across the street with Jess, and it looked like Stella and Brandon, too. There’s no way she didn’t see us walk in. My insides are twisting with nerves because even though I told her Lance had rescheduled, I intentionally misled her to think there were no meetings today and I would be nowhere near her offices.
I met Lance to talk through the details needed to wrap up the work around this merger. I wanted to confirm the specifics of the decisions TWA was moving forward with, like timing, impacts on employees, and next steps. The rest of the deal is mostly regulatory process, and I’ve set up the in-house legal team to manage it. They can reach out for any unique concerns or needs on an ad hoc basis.
I also wanted to let Lance know I wouldn’t be coming back to the TWA offices. As much as I want to see Blair, working with her leadership on decisions that impact her directly has become a conflict of interest.
I’ve spent so many years avoiding relationships and intimacy. But I’ve always loved Blair. The realization hit me likea wave, powerful and undeniable. It’s a truth I’ve buried deep, hidden behind career ambitions and family expectations, and now it’s risen to the surface with a clarity I can’t ignore. I want to pursue her, to be with her fully, and I’m willing to make the necessary changes in my life to do so. The connection we share now feels as deep as it was in high school, a bond that time and distance couldn’t diminish. I hope she feels the same, that she sees the potential for us to be something more again.
Lance spent most of the lunch reminding me of my obligation to the NDA and my role of privilege. He knows damn well I’m going to tell Blair. I expect he’ll reach out to my father about the whole thing. I’m not looking forward to that conversation, but it’s going to have to wait. I have one more stop to make.
ME
Headed your way.
JAKE
Sounds good. We’re all ready for you.
When I arrive at the Hays and Cole law firm, I’m greeted by an open reception area and a cheerful woman who’s expecting me. She ushers me down the hall to one of the private conference rooms, letting me know there are refreshments inside.
I sit at the polished mahogany table. The rich scent of leather-bound books and freshly brewed coffee fills the air. Ryan Cole and Matt Hays, the formidable duo behind one of the city’s most prestigious entertainment law firms, sit across from me.
