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Deep inside, I knew that. I shot down her chance the night I slept with her in Wyoming, and I had no idea at the time. All I knew was…for the first time in a long time, I wanted more than to just get off with someone. I knew what she tasted like, smelled like, felt like against my body. That was enough to lose my head.

What am I feeling? I’m unsure.

“I’m sorry,” she says. “But we’re not the only agency.”

“No, but we’re really fucking good. The best.”

“I know, but nobody needs us to succeed. If she has the talent, she can get there on her own.” She’s using the tone she reserves for delivering bad news to clients. Soft and patient.

“Yeah,” I admit finally. “I know.”

“And you need to tell her so she’s not holding out hope.”

“I know that, too.”

We’re both quiet for a while. This is the reason I can trust Marion; even when she has to deliver a hard truth, it’s done with care. Finally, I run a hand over my face and release a sigh I know she can hear through the phone.

“Kinda seems like we’ve got a lot of problems to solve with our clients,” she says in a forcefully cheery tone.

“I do, anyway.”

“Let me talk to Lenny.”

“Nah, Lenny’s an asshole, but I know how to handle him.”

She frowns. “What started your problems with him?”

I shrug, picking up the phone so I can shift over. The gate is rapidly filling up with other passengers. “Nothing, he’s just always been irritating. Talks down to the people who work for him. Saw him lose his shit on a girl running the snack cart at a shoot early on. I had to pull him away and order him delivery. He’s just a dick, nothing big.”

“Nothing you could fire him on,” she says.

“No, it’s really fine,” I reply quickly.

It’s very rare that I release a client from their contract. There were a couple cases in the last decade, both times due to financial fraud on their part. Being an agent is a difficult job that not everyone is suited for, but I pride myself on being able to acclimate to all personalities.

Firing Lenny because he gets under my skin feels like…giving up.

I don’t give up.

“Penny for your thoughts?” Marion asks.

I blink, shaking my head. “Not worth a penny. I’m gonna go get another coffee.”

“Alright, you call me if you need anything. I can always help.”

“I know,” I say, getting to my feet. “I appreciate that.”

She smiles, hanging up. Once again, I’m at an airport gate alone, waiting on another plane. My coffee isn’t empty, but it is cold, so I get another cup and sink into the corner chair—only one available when I get back. Then, I swipe to Serena’s social media and hit the newest video. I’ve seen it before, just another cover, but I watch it about fifteen times before they finally call my boarding group.

Numb, I pick up my things and leave.

CHAPTER FORTY

SERENA

It’s cold as all get-out already in Wyoming. I could go out and occupy myself if it was summer, but other than chores, I’m stuck inside. And Coen’s added a few more wranglers, so I don’t even have the same responsibilities. That’s on me not being around consistently anymore. But it does increase the loneliness that dogs me every time I’m on the ranch. It helps that Sabrina is already in the thick of wedding planning. They think they’ll aim for late next year, maybe August when it starts to cool a little before the fall. I’m glad because that’ll give whatever is going on with Jamie and me some time to rest.

I spend a lot of time in my room. Headphones on, fingers wandering idly over the keyboard. One of my favorite pop-folk artists just released a new album. I learn it quickly and play through it almost daily. It’s sad, lonesome. Unfortunately, very fitting.