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“Hey, man, don’t slip and fall. The floor is hard. Ask me how I know,” I say.
He glares at me, something he’s been doing a lot lately. I mean, I did kind of fuck him up by sending out that sex book he wrote, but for Christ’s sake, it’s not like his name is plastered all over it. The only hint I threw in the back of it is some random-ass email I made up. Of course, I made sure if anyone ever emailed it, the message would forward to my own account.
You know, just in case.
“I wouldn’t have to worry about slipping if you didn’t force everyone who comes in here to take off their shoes,” he gripes.
I shrug. “Sounds like a personal problem, man.” He just doesn’t want to mess up his fancy socks.
We hang out at my place all the time, way more than at the other guys’ places, which suits me fine. Not to brag, but I’ve got a kick-ass loft apartment with nice views of the neighborhood—all thanks to the sale of my software company. It’s large and luxurious, so it only makes sense we end up here more often than not. Hell, each of the guys could move in if they wanted and we’d be totally out of each other’s way, that’s how much space I have. In fact, I’ve told Levi on more than one occasion that if his writing thing doesn’t work out, to come on over and bunk up with me. He doesn’t like that idea, not at all, but hell, I’ll be here if he ever needs me.
And yes, people who come over have to take off their shoes. I don’t want New York City grime in my home.
Levi continues his freak-out. “You know the signing I just did? Who was there but Amalia. Amalia Plum, the scowl-y woman from Empire. You know, the one who’s chasing after the Ryder Night book?” He gives me a hard-core stink eye.
“She gave me this song and dance about the romance division being in hot water, and she’s hoping to save it with the sexy manuscript she found in her desk.” His voice gets louder with every word and by the time he’s done, he’s pretty much yelling. “Freaked me the fuck out,” he shouts.
Luckily, my apartment is soundproof.
“Wow. No kidding,” I say. “What a coinkydink.”
Levi’s gaze snaps my way and if I didn’t know him to be the nice guy he is, I’d swear he’s about to knock my head off.
His face turns a dangerous shade of red. “Could you be serious, just this one time?—"
But I cut him off. I’ve known him a long time, and I’ve seen him spiral himself into a fury that can take him days to emerge from. That’s not how we’re going to get this little mess straightened out.
“Look, man, we’re not laughing at you. And I’m sorry I fucked you up like this. I never thought you’d be this upset. Actually, I never thought anyone would ever reach out about themanuscript, anyway. They have some fucking pervy people over there. I saw that shit you wrote,” I say.
He frowns at me.
“I told you I flipped through it. Never knew you were a gang bang kind of guy. Or that you had a thing for granny panties.”
Levi rolls his eyes and shakes his head. “Those werestories,Wy. They’re not real. And if this gets out, I am ruined, I tell you. Ruined. All my years of hard work, just when I’m just starting to gain some momentum… my luck is looking up and now this. That’s fucking life for you, give you some hope and then knock you right back down.” He sinks into my Eames armchair and drops his head into his hands.
“C’mon, Levi. We can fix this. Right?” Henry asks, looking at me.
But before I can say anything, Levi explodes again. “Henry, do you realize you have just as much at stake here as I do? If my writing career goes down the shitter, so does the money you’re going to make off being my agent.”
For a moment, I want to point out that Henry can always get more authors to represent if necessary. He’ll be fine. But I don’t go there.
“Look, Levi. Let’s get your panties out of their twist. I’ve gotten multiple emails from Amalia at this point. She has no idea I’m connected to you, nor will she find out.” Now it’s my turn to pace. It helps me think. “You know, I should have approached this more analytically, like understanding what you and the publisher need, and seeing where those needs overlap. Like in a Venn diagram.”
“Christ,” Levi says, rubbing his eyes, “this is not one of your software development projects, Wyatt. You cannot engineer your way through this. Amalia is not going to give up, not when her job is at stake. She’s smart and resourceful. She’ll do anything to find Ryder Night.”
Henry frowns. “Levi, you make her out to be some sort of monster. She might be a little grouchy, but I’m sure she’s a decent person. She’s definitely nice-looking.”
“Hen, when will you stop thinking with your little head?” Levi snaps.
Henry sits back in his chair and doesn’t answer. He knows better. It’s best to leave Levi alone when he’s like this.
You know things about a guy when you grow up with him.
“How many times has she emailed you about this, Wy? How desperate is she?” Levi asks.
“Hmmm. I’d say she’s been reaching out to me several times yesterday. A few today. But it’s dropping off.”
He frowns. “I wonder why that is.””
