It took me forever to figure out the old landline system, but now I’m glad I did.
It’s ringing in the back by the time I get there. The storage space is cool and dim, and it’s nice and quiet compared to the bright warmth and noisy chatter of the shop. I jog over to where the phone hangs on the wall.
“A Wing & a Page,” I say as I pick up. “How can I help you today?”
“Taylor?” a familiar voice says.
Somehow, the phone has gone to speaker and I can’t figure out for the life of me how to get theincoming sound back to the receiver. So much for learning the phone system.
“Uh, David, hello,” I say, surprised to be hearing from my old boss. “Is everything okay?”
“It’s more than okay, Taylor,” he says. “And I owe you an apology.”
“You… you do?” I ask, completely lost.
“Starhoofis a hit,” he says simply. “It’s already earned more than anything we’ve ever published.”
“But you didn’t launch it,” I say, feeling confused.
“It took off organically,” he says. “The buzz started online, just a day or so after release. Now the reviews are flying in, and everyone loves it.”
“That’s great, David,” I tell him. “I’m so happy for you. I guess the company’s not in trouble anymore?”
And even though I didn’t exactly end things on good terms with the company, I’m honestly glad to hear it.
“We’re doing better than ever,” he assures me. “But we did make a big mistake, and it wasn’t buyingStarhoof. It was firing the best commissioning editor we’ve ever had.”
“Listen, David, it’s fine,” I tell him. “I got lucky withStarhoof, but I knew it was a big swing. I shouldn’t have bought it without pitching it to you. It’s too different from our usual lineup. That was poor judgement on my part.”
It was, and I’ve come to terms with that.
“No, Taylor,” he says firmly. “It isn’t fine. And itwasn’t poor judgment. It’s clear to me now that you might just have the best judgment in the industry.”
“I don’t know about that,” I manage.
“I want you back here, as soon as possible,” he says firmly. “You can have your old job back. You don’t ever have to pitch anything to me again. If you want it, just buy it, and I’ll put everything we’ve got behind it.”
I have no idea what to say to that, so I don’t say anything at all. I just stand in the dark stockroom, reeling.
18
ROAN
I’m poking around, pulling the books I need to replace on the shelves when I hear footsteps jogging into the back room.
I open my mouth to say hello, and then I hear Taylor answer the phone in a kind of nervous, professional voice, so I keep quiet.
A man says her name on speaker, and I freeze, uncertain what to do next. But when he starts apologizing, I know I can’t interrupt.
This is herbossfrom the city.
It feels good to hear him tell her that he was wrong, and that the book she chose is already breaking records for his company.
I guess not all city guys are bad news. At least this one seems to know how to admit when he’s wrong. I can’t wait to see how happy this call makes Taylor when it’s over.
But then he says something else.
I want you back here as soon as possible…
