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Adamwinked at her. “You’vegot this.”
Shestepped out from behind him, lacing her fingers with his, and caughtSeth’seye.
Shewas going to replay the double take he did when he saw her over and over again, the way he looked almost past her, and then jerked his head back, eyes widening cartoonishly.
“Ohwow,Hazel,” he said, droppingGrace’shand and striding toward her.
Thenext thing she was going to replay over and over was the way he nearly tripped over his own feet at the sight ofAdam, and her hand linked with his.
“Uh, hi, hello,” he said, catching himself, charming grin back in place. “Who’syour date?”
Shestared at him, waiting to see if the penny would drop.
Itdidn’t.
Adamextended his hand. “AdamShephard, nice to meet you,” he said without a hint of malice.Sethstared at his hand for a second, not moving to shake it.
“You’reAdam?” he asked, voice dripping with incredulity.
“Yes?” saidAdam, glancing atHazel, then slowly lowering his hand.Shebit her lip, hiding the smile that wanted to burst across her face.
Sethopenly gawked atAdamfor a moment, and then gave his head a small shake. “Sorry, you’re just not whatIwas picturing, andIdon’t thinkIgot the memo that you two are an item.”
Ahundred snarky comments rose to the tip ofHazel’stongue, but instead of saying them, she took a breath, rubbed her thumb againstAdam’shand and smiled as nicely as she could atSeth.
“So, how did the meeting with the editorial team go?” askedHazel. “Dothey still meet everyWednesdaymorning?”
“Uh, yeah.Wednesdays, yep.”Hiseyes kept flicking down to where her hand was nestled inAdam’s. “Hazel, do you think we could talk in private?”
“Nothanks,” she said breezily. “Anythingyou have to discuss with me, you can discuss in front ofAdam.Youknow, since he’s the co-writer on this project.”
“Right,” saidSeth, his voice flat.Shecould tell he was struggling to put on his usual false charm because he was so completely thrown by not only how good-lookingAdamwas, but by the fact that he was more than just her co-writer.Itwas as though he was completely shocked she’d actually moved on from him.Notonly moved on, but moved up.Bigtime.
Anawkward silence hung between them and she sighed. “Didyou talk to the editorial team?” she asked, promptingSethout of whatever was swirling through his mind.
“Idid,” he said, “andI’mafraid it’s not the best news.”
“Whatdo you mean?” she asked, tightening her grip onAdam’shand.
Heshrugged, glancing around the room. “Idon’t know thatIcan convince them about the co-writing.They’renot sold on the pages, and they want you to stick to the original idea.Theydon’t like that we don’t have a contract withAdam, who doesn’t even have representation.Andthen, asIfeared, there’s considerable concern about his poor sales record.”
Hazel’sheart sank.Theyhadn’t liked the pages.Theonly book she wanted to write was pretty much dead in the water and she was once again staring down the barrel of a financial gun.AndAdam…God, she didn’t want him to have to face this rejection, too.
“Whatdidn’t they like?” she asked. “It’sjust a draft.”
“I…Idon’t think now’s the time or place to get into it.”Hesighed and then leaned in closer, as though he were confiding some great secret. “Ialso don’t think they’re going to love that you’re banging your co-writer.Littleunprofessional,” he said, holding his thumb and index finger about an inch apart.
Hazellaughed, the sound bitter. “I’munprofessional?That’srich, coming from you.”
“Excuseme?” he asked, having the absolute gall to look affronted.Gracestarted to approach with an uncertain look on her face, andSethwaved her off.Hazelwatched the younger woman’s shoulders droop, and she actually felt a little bad for her.
“Youheard me.”Shelet go ofAdam’shand and took a step closer to him.
“Well, it is unprofessional.Ishouldn’t have to work with my ex-wife’s new boyfriend.”
“ButIshould have to work with my ex-husband?Howis that any different?”
Adamwas a bastion of calm beside her, watching the exchange with casual interest.
