The two of them had been updating me on all the dramaIwas no longer privy to.Ihad to admit, it was delicious.
It felt like summer camp all over again, spending our days working, then getting together to mull over whatever the rumor mill was churning out.
“Do you still talk toApril?”Willowasked.
Whitney pretended to gag.
“Do you thinkIstill talk toApril?”Imuttered.Flashesof anger snaked around my throat and started to strangle the relatively decent dayI’dbeen having because of a single mention of my former agent.
Whitney raised an eyebrow. “Youhaven’t told her about your new book?”
“I’m not writing a new book.”Thewhite lie was easy.Ormaybe it was a perpetual delusion. “I’mjust messing around for fun.”
“Sure.Okay,”Willowsaid. “Goon with your totally plotted and outlined fun.”
“Have you thought about looking for another agent to shop your work around?”Whitneyasked. “Ican haveOpheliaput some feelers out.”
“Why wouldIneed an agent?”Isaid asIscribbled through a noteIhad left on my outline and drew an arrow to rearrange the thoughts. “I’mnot writing a book.”
Whitney andWillowshared a look through the screen.
They knew me too well.Sure,Ihad been . . . dabbling.Maybea little intensely.ButIhad no intention of putting myself through that gauntlet again.Iwanted to write to get the story out of my head, butIdidn’t want anyone else to have it.
I barely made it out alive the last time.Iwasn’t ready to be thrust back into that world.Frankly,Ididn’t know ifIever would be.
Footsteps thumped up the stairs, andJackappeared at the landing of the widow’s watch. “Hey, sweetheart,” he said as he bent and kissed my cheek. “How’sit going?”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,”Isaid. “I’mjust hanging out while they work.”
Jack glanced at the webcam and winked atWillowandWhitney.Ididn’t even want to know what that was about.
“How was lunch withDrew?”
Jack andDrewhad gotten together to grab a bite sinceJackwas still on medical leave andDrewhad a day off.
“It was good.Igrabbed some takeout for you.Threwit in your fridge.”
I clasped my hand over my heart. “Myhero.”
The girls laughed.
“I don’t want to mess with your progress.Iwas just dropping in to let you knowI'mback.”
“It’s fine.Iwas done anyway.”Frankly,Iwas just done with the conversation, not with the story that had been flowing out of my fingers faster than ever before. “I’lltalk to you guys later,”Isaid to the girls before signing off.
Jack frowned. “Youdidn’t have to do that.”
I let out a long, slow breath asIworked my neck back and forth. “Oh, butIdid.Theywere going on about me getting a new agent.”
Jack adjusted his sling. “Whycan’t you just use the one you had before you quit?”
I tapped my chin dramatically. “Iknow you don’t date a lot, but imagine the worst breakup you ever had.”
Jack stuffed his good hand in the pocket of his shorts and shrugged. “Theywere all pretty amicable.”
“Of course they were,”Imuttered before pushing my hair out of my face. “ImagineDrew’sworst breakup.”
He winced. “Sheset his car on fire.”
