“Of course you will.” I push onto my toes and pull him down for a kiss.
The alarm on my phone rings loudly and I jump. Bastian smiles, then pats me on the butt.
“Opening in ten, everyone!” I shout and clap my hands. “Let’s get these books ready for their forever homes!”
Epilogue: Frenemiesto Business Partners
Two years later…
“And that’s how we plan to minimize your shipping expenses,” Patricia says, then clicks the presentation to the last slide as the lights come up.
I lean forward. “What about ground transport customs? Any wiggle room with the Canadian duty and courier fees?”
“We’ve been discussing options with Ontario’s Premier office,” Dan says. “It depends on volume and frequency.”
“We’ve got the manpower to move books,” I say confidently.
I’ve practically hired most of the town to help. Don’t I wish I had some protobots of my own…
“That’ll certainly help with negotiations,” Dan says. “I’ll keep you in the loop.”
I smile. “Perfect. I did want to discuss the overall control on Stripped books. My team would like to take the lead on direction and present Waldorf with a few options rather than put the burden on your art department.”
Patricia smirks and nods. “That makes the most sense to me.”
“Great! Sounds like we’re all in agreement, then,” Dan says with a boisterous clap. “Contracts should be ready by the end of the week for the first five I.P.s.”
With that, he stands and approaches me for a handshake. Bastian leans forward beside me but I give his leg a firm squeeze.
“So good to see you again, Cait,” Dan says.
“Likewise, sir,” I say, giving him a firm grip.
He chuckles. “Lunch, everyone? Cait’s favorite Indian place.”
Assent rings out around the table and everyone stands.
Vick pats my shoulder and I can practically feel Bastian losing his mind. “Good to see you flourishing,” he says, then gives a courteous nod to the possessive dragon.
There are several new faces that don’t come to personally congratulate me, but the one I’ve been most worried about lingers in the room after everyone else has filed out.
Patricia Evans.
“Wait for me outside?” I ask Bastian.
He somehow manages to withhold his snarl. “Right outside.”
He closes the door behind him and Patricia sighs.
“It was hell here for the first six months.”
I put the new printouts in my bag, taking my time. “I’m sure it wasn’t all that bad.”
“Publicist turnover was at an all-time high,” she says, and I understand the underlying comment. She was a shit boss. “Vick made me take a few classes.”
“Seems to have worked.”
She scoffs. “Thank god.”
