“We’ve been looking forward to this, Wyatt,” Ryan begins, leaning forward with a smile that crinkles the corners of his eyes. “Jake’s been singing your praises for years, and your reputation in the legal community speaks for itself.”
Matt nods in agreement, his hands steepled in front of him. “Absolutely. We’ve wanted you to join us for a long time. Your expertise, particularly in contract negotiations and intellectual property, is exactly what we need to take Hays and Cole to the next level.”
My heart pounds in my chest as a mixture of excitement and trepidation washes through me. This is my dream: to work with the best in the industry and carve out my legacy. Yet, the shadow of my father’s expectations looms large.
“I can’t tell you how much this means to me,” I say, my voice steady despite the turmoil inside. “Joining your firm has always been a goal of mine, but I have to be upfront about the potential blowback. You know my father.”
Ryan nods, and his gaze is sympathetic. “We understand, Wyatt. Family dynamics can be complicated. But we believe in you, and we’re prepared to navigate any challenges that come our way.”
Matt leans in and says in a reassuring tone, “Your father’s firm is well respected, and we have no intention of causing any friction. We can keep this agreement confidential until you’ve had a chance to speak with him. The last thing we want is to put you in a difficult position.”
I let out a breath I didn’t realize I was holding. “Thank you. That means a lot. I just want to be sure that I’m worth the effort and potential risk for you.”
Ryan smiles warmly. “We have no doubt about that, Wyatt. You’ve already proven your worth. Jake’s endorsement alone speaks volumes, and we trust his judgment implicitly.”
I nod, feeling a swell of gratitude and anticipation. “I appreciate your confidence in me. I promise to give this my all.”
Ryan rises and extends his hand. “Welcome to Hays and Cole, Wyatt. We’re thrilled to have you on board.”
I stand and shake his hand and then Matt’s. “Thank you. I won’t let you down.”
As I leave the office, my mind races with the possibilities ahead—as well as the challenges, the triumphs, and the conversation I need to have with my father. For the first time in a long while, I feel like I’m taking a step toward my future on my own terms, and it feels right.
thirty-eight
. . .
BLAIR
When I spoketo Wyatt last night, I was afraid he was going to make another excuse to avoid me, but he asked me to meet him at his house for dinner tonight. Now I’m sitting in his driveway, unsure of what I’m going to say.
It’s been twelve years since high school, twelve years since he hurt me, yet the connection we share now is undeniable. Despite my hesitation to trust him again, there’s a bond between us that time hasn’t erased. It feels like I’m losing control of my feelings, but at the same time, all I want is to drown in them. Wyatt makes me feel special. He makes me believe in forever.
He’s the one person who truly understands me, who unconditionally supports my dreams and encourages me to reach higher. I’ve faced my fair share of men who felt threatened by my career. But not Wyatt. He’s proud of my success, never intimidated.
But now he’s been avoiding me, just like before, and a nagging doubt makes me wonder if he feels the same way about me. I can’t shake the feeling that he’s hiding something about his work with my agency. In the past, he opted for the simple path instead of choosing what he wanted. Instead of choosing me.Now I need to know if I’m a priority for him or if I’m still not important enough.
We have a track record of avoiding each other when things get tough, so I’m here to confront him. He can’t run away this time. I can’t let him run away this time. We both deserve to know if we’re worth fighting for.
His meeting with Lance has also stirred up some emotions that, apparently, I haven’t faced. When I started at TWA, I was fresh out of law school and excited to help people chase their dreams of making it in Hollywood. It was so rewarding to read a script and know it was special. I loved to champion the underdog and find the hidden gems. It’s how I was able to work my way up the agency’s ladder so quickly.
People love stories. Storytelling is literally programmed into our DNA. When you dream in your sleep, that is your brain telling you stories. How about when a loved one is late for dinner? Do you think about why they might be late? Your brain is creating a story for you.
Knowing that we are hard-wired for stories, it’s just a matter of what the world wants or needs to hear at this moment in time. It’s basic psychology—and it’s why I love meeting and reading and searching for the right projects and people to introduce to the world.
I thought hearing I might lose my job would be more devastating, but it’s not. All I can think about is what it would be like to finally start my own agency. It would be a small shop. I’d be super selective about who we bring on and fully focused on trying to shift the narrative about women-led roles and stories.
The knock at my window startles me, and I see Wyatt smiling down at me.
“You going to sit out here all night?” he asks.
The look on his face is all it takes for my nerves to settle and my confidence returns. This is my guy. We can do this.
Moments later, as I stand in Wyatt’s living room, the tension between us crackles like a live wire. I need to know where we stand. If he feels what I feel.
“You’re avoiding me,” I say. My voice is firm, but I’m trembling. “I can’t keep pretending everything’s fine. You’re shutting me out again, and I won’t go through that a second time.”
Wyatt runs a hand through his hair, looking torn. “I know. I’m messing this all up. I need you to understand that I’ve been trying to protect you.”
