“And?” I ask, trying not to show how affected I am by hearing Trina mentioned in quick succession with Scarlett.

“She’s got a new book. Swears up and down that it’s brilliant. I read the first few chapters, and there’s definitely something there. How did you put it—a punch in the gut?”

Casey waits for my reaction, but I don’t give him one. I’ve become very practiced at shoving my emotions into the abyss where they belong, even if he constantly wants to try to get a rise out of me.

“Why are you telling me this?” I ask instead.

Regarding me carefully, he takes in a deep breath through his nose. “It’d be good for Anastasios if we took it on. I can feel it.” He emphasizes the last part as a nod to my sob story from a few moments ago.

I raise an eyebrow. “Good for the press or the man?”

“They are one and the same, in this instance. Regardless, I don’t have time. I just signed three debuts that are going to need a lot of time and attention. And hand holding.” He rolls his eyes at this.

I chuckle. “This one isn’t a debut?”

“Oh, it is. The author’s name is S.J. Falmouth. But it doesn’t feel like a debut, if that makes sense. She’s been around the block a few times. Maybe this isn’t her first manuscript, just the first she’s put on submission.” He shrugs. “Who knows. But I think this might be just the one to get you out of your little slump.”

I scoff. “Little” is the understatement of the century.

There I go with the clichés again.

“Look,” Casey continues. “Let me send over the chapters. Read it with an open mind. See if you feel something. If you do, it’s yours. If you don’t…well, I’ll leave that up to you. But if you could trust me and fake it, I’d owe you one.”

“There’s no reason why I can’t at least take a look,” I say.

“Great,” Casey says as he stands. “I’ll send it over. Trina mentioned this author is a little skittish, so if you think there’s something there, let’s have the initial contact go through me. We can do a virtual or in-person meeting, depending on the author’s schedule, to introduce you before we really get started.”

“Sounds great,” I say to his back as he hustles out the door.

As I click through some more emails waiting for Casey to send the document over, I can’t help but hope he’s right about this one. I could really use the win.

Chapter 3

Scarlett