“If someone is looking for a children’s book about frogs, let’s say, and someone recommends Kat’s book, the aunt will respond to that comment with something likethat is a nice one but you should try Hazel’s book that instills solid family values and inspires young minds.She’ll leave a similar comment on the original post itself too.”
“Passive-aggressive, then,” Jace says and Ozzy nods.
“Maybe jealous that Kat is more successful than Hazel?” Ozzy supplies as Royce points at what I can only assume is Ozzy’s location on his screen.
“Kat is in fact more successful than Hazel. But as far as I can tell, the aunt is more concerned about that than Hazel is. Hazel writes for aslightlydifferent age range so their material is similar, but there’s plenty of room for both of them locally and on a bigger stage.”
“And the other author?”
“Royce sent over the initial information for me to start with. I’ll have more for you in the morning,” Ozzy states as I look at the time.
It’s nearly one, and while Royce will most definitely be up for another few hours, I need sleep before this headache becomes worse.
“Good,” I tell them. “We’ll reconvene tomorrow. I want updates by noon.” And shit, I forgot about Saturday morning. “Ozzy, you and I will accompany Kat and Emerson to their salon appointment before the signing. The place will be rented out so that’s one less thing to worry about.”
“I’ll get with Ozzy to make sure we have a clear plan and path from the first location to the second.” Grimm doesn’t bother to hide his annoyance.
“That plan wasn’t confirmed until tonight,” I assure him, ignoring Royce’s Cheshire cat grin because there’s no way he knows anything.
Unless…
She wouldn’t, would she?
Dammit.
“Fine. I’ll make sure it runs smoothly,” Grimm reiterates and there are nods all around.
“Good, everyone has something to do. Rest when you can. I know this is slow moving, but you know how these things go.”
After a short round of goodbyes, everyone signs off, and my phone lights up immediately with an incoming text.
ROYCE: The salon, huh?
ROYCE: Emerson stopped by and told me all about it.
Of course she did.
ROYCE: You should be proud. I had a whole conversation with her, and I didn’t go catatonic once
TOM: Kinsley deserves an award for making you socially functional
ROYCE: You’re not kidding
ROYCE: But really—you planned a salon day? For a client?
TOM: This is a favor
ROYCE: And?
TOM: And I’m allowed to do something nice
ROYCE: Yeah…sure.
TOM: What’s that supposed to mean?
ROYCE: It means you’ve never done something like this for a client and I think it’s sweet
TOM: It’s not sweet
