From what I can gather, Trina is being a shark about this one. It’s not so much about the money but that she wants an in-person meeting with us. Well, with Casey. She still doesn’t know I’ll be taking the lead on this. From what he tells me, the author is incredibly nervous—almost reclusive—and this request for a meeting seems strange enough that he doesn’t want to drop that bomb yet. Trina has also insisted our publicist be present to talk marketing strategy before anyone signs anything. This isn’t unheard of, of course, but in an industry that relies so much on gut feeling, the fact that Casey seems to think something is up is enough to have me trying to wait patiently for any word from them.

But I also have a gut feeling that this book is going to be huge, even if it’s off to a less-than-conventional start.

After an entire week of that back-and-forth, I find myself restlessly wandering around the office. Margie is still rifling through the slush pile, determined to find something usable, so I don’t want to bother her. Most of the other senior editors are engrossed in something or working remotely while their kids are on spring break. While I don’t want to bug Casey for the thousandth time, I catch his eye from across the room. He has his phone pressed to his ear, but he motions me over. He scribbles something on a pad of paper at his elbow and turns it toward me while he continues to listen into the receiver.

You free tomorrow at one? Trina and S.J. want to meet. Will loop in Meri for pub.

My heart leaps into my throat. I’m sure my schedule is clear, and if not, I’ll clear it. My nod must be emphatic, because Casey huffs a laugh. He must be serious about this, too, if he’s bringing in Meri for publicity. She’s the best we’ve got.

“Yes,” he says into the phone. “Mm-hmm. We will have everyone there.” He pauses for a moment. “No, I don’t think that’s necessary, unless you do?” Another pause. “Okay, great. Thanks, Trina. See you tomorrow.”

The phone is barely placed back into the cradle when I rub my palms together in excitement. “She’s going to take the offer?”

“I wouldn’t go that far just yet.” Casey indicates one of the seats facing his desk, and I sink into it.

“Trina wasn’t happy enough with the outline for marketing you gave her?”

Casey shakes his head, his eyes wide. “I’m telling you, there’s something different about this. Trina is being very cryptic. She says the author is insisting on a meeting before going any further.”

“That’s not unheard of. JMP always liked to pull their authors in for a face-to-face at least once in the process,” I counter.