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Thanks for trusting me. Let’s hope Simon sees it the same way.

He has no other choice. He’s saddled me with a new project, which means I don’t have any time for Evan, anyway.

Are you sure? ;D

If she weren’t such an outstanding coworker and a fantastic friend, I would’ve strangled Carly years ago. Good night, Carly.

Good night, Parker.

I put my phone down. Since there’s no chance I’ll be falling asleep anytime soon, I log into my email account and draft a brief message to Simon and Derek.

Evan is fast asleep. Even if he’s not ready to switch management yet, it’s bound to happen sooner or later.

With a slight pang of guilt, I open an email and put in a well-known address. Grady and I work together on other matters. It’s not unusual for me to reach out to him.

I start the email with a few casual questions about some of his clients that we’re handling.

Finally, I bite my lip. Screw it.

One last, general question. How are things going for you right now? Could you take on more people? This isn’t a specific request, only a general one. In case someone reaches out to me who’s interested in representation that goes beyond the “traditional” image of masculinity in sports.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Parker

Deep in thought, I send the message and stare into the night. If Derek found out that I’m giving Grady’s contact info to people who want to switch from his management to Grady, he’d cut my balls off.

My phone buzzes in my hand.

A message from Grady via a chat. Does anyone ever sleep?

I glance over at Evan and smile. He appears relaxed and content. It’s been years since I’ve seen him like this.

With my free hand, I open Grady’s message.

Hi, night owl. You know I always have time and capacity for you. You can tell your “non-contact” to reach out to me and say they’re coming from you. We’ll figure it out.

My fingers fly across the keyboard. You’re a sweetheart. Fantastic. You know I appreciate your work. And I’m allowing myself to belive I’m ready for a career change.

I can only return the compliment. You know that. And I hope that sooner rather than later I can make you an offer you can’t refuse, and you’ll come working for us.

I chuckle to myself. We’ve been having this conversation for three years now. Can you pay me enough by now so that I can keep my apartment? Grady’s actual suggestion, to work for them as a freelancer, has put me off until now. I enjoy the security and the regular paycheck. But maybe it’s slowly time to allow myself to think about it.

He sends me three laughing emojis. Trust yourself. Life has more in store for you.

It was probably time to change my mindset. Grady has completely established himself in the three years since he founded his agency. When we first met, I believed for a fleeting moment that there could be more between us than the one-night stand we had. But as always, my fascination melted away like snow in the sun. In the meantime, Grady has proven himself not only to be a good friend but also an interesting business partner. The woman he’s since married is as much of a ray of sunshine as he is. With her contacts from her time as a model, she’s become an important part of the agency.

What’s stopping me from changing jobs? From going into business for myself?

Do I not believe I can do it?

Is it a sense of loyalty to Simon, who took me on when I was just starting out? Am I like Evan, who’s attached to Derek because he was a friend of his father’s? What’s your social media department up to these days?

Ah, glad you asked. I don’t mind giving all our future projects exclusively to your future company, Parker Socials, instead of to a bunch of different agencies. Agencies like Simon’s. You can name your company something else, of course. That’s not important to me.

I chuckle softly. Okay. Why don’t we . . . talk about this calmly over the next few days?

You’re putting words in my mouth, Parker. And now, good night. Bailey says I have to go to bed.