After a few moments, Georgie said, “Anonymous sources?”
“Yeah.”
“I’m sorry,” said Georgie. “I don’t know who—”
Cord cut her off. “Is there anything I need to know?”
There was a long pause. “No?” said Georgie.
Cord’s heart sank. “What is it?” he said.
“Nothing,” said Georgie. “It’s just…it’s nothing.”
“What’s the shake-up?” said Cord.
“It’s…”
“Tell me, G.”
“I’m leaving Third Eyez,” said Georgie. “I just…it’s personal. It’s not the product, Cord. I promise you. The product works. You saw it.”
“Personal?”
Georgie sighed. “Well, here goes,” she said, “I’m…well, I’m having a baby.”
“Whoa,” said Cord. He rubbed his eyes. “Okay. Wow.”
“Don’t sound so excited.”
“I’m just…I’m stunned, G. Who’s the dad?”
“No one you know.”
“Wow,” said Cord again. He smiled, shaking his head, then said, “I’m happy for you. That’s amazing. A baby. When are you due?”
“January,” said Georgie.
“January. Well, okay. But, G, will you let me know if there are any problems with Third Eyez? Promise?”
“I will. Cord, you know I will.”
“My ass is on the line.”
“I never told you to fund the whole thing,” said Georgie. “That was your call, Cord. I was just letting you in.”
Cord pressed his fingers to his temples. “Talk soon,” he said.
“Yeah,” said Georgie. Cord could practically see her in the oversize Garfield T-shirt she probably still slept in, her hair a mess.
“There’s always Neptune,” said Cord.
She laughed wearily. Cord couldn’t even remember where the assurance came from—some line in an old movie—but they’d always said it to each other.
“Yup,” said Georgie.
Cord called Wyatt next. Wyatt read the story sleepily, then said, “I’m on it.”
“Okay. I’ll check in later.”
