Page 69 of Score
“This is not me being generous.” Canon shrugs. “Maybe not even kind. This is me believing that you’re the best for Dessi’s story, and she deserves the best.”
“I like that even better than kindness.” I laugh and dab the last of my tears away.
“Good.” Canon leans back in his chair and folds his hands over his flat stomach. “By the way, we found our Dessi.”
“That’s great. I remember you and Evan saying it’s been a long search. Who’s the lucky girl?”
“Her name’s Neevah Saint.” Canon’s mouth curves the tiniest bit. “She was an understudy on Broadway and I just happened to catch her when the lead was on vacation.”
“Have I seen her in anything? Any film?”
“Probably not.” Canon smiles faintly. “She’s had a few bit parts in movies, I think, but this will be her first time as a lead.”
I gape at him. It’s almost unheard of that someone with no track record would snag the lead on a project of this scope and consequence.
“And they sayI’mcrazy. Damn, Canon. How’d you get Galaxy Studios to sign off on her?”
“It helps when you’re as good as I am.” He smirks. “Genius covers a multitude of sins. Plus, she’s just fantastic.”
We both glance up at a knock on the open door of his office. His assistant, Graham, offers an apologetic look.
“Just reminding you of your call,” she says. “Starts in ten.”
“Got it.” Canon stands and so do I. “Glad we got this out in the open,” he says to me.
“Same.” I slip my bag onto my shoulder and turn toward the door. “I’m looking forward to meeting this hidden treasure you found.”
“Well, technically, it was Monk.”
I pause, the sound of his name arresting me for a few seconds.
“He met her when he was filling in with a friend’s band,” Canon clarifies. “Monk was the one who took me to see her show.”
“Oh.” I nod and continue toward the door. “That’s great.”
“Does he know?” Canon asks softly.
I know exactly what he’s asking, but I look over my shoulder with confusion etched onto my face. “Does who know what?”
Canon twists his lips into a wry curve. “Verity, come on. Does Monk know about your diagnosis? I just wondered if when you guys dated in college—”
“He doesn’t know,” I cut in, leveling him with a hard look. “And I’d appreciate it if you don’t tell him.”
“I won’t tell anyone.” Canon frowns and shoves his hands into his pockets. “You should get to decide who knows what.”
“Thank you.” I continue to the door. “And believe me, Monk already thinks he knows it all.”
TWENTY-TWO
Verity
“You excited for today?” Mel asks onscreen, spoon poised over a bowl of ceviche from her favorite restaurant.
“Sure,” I say, walking away from my tablet to the closet and pulling out a pair of jeans and my TLCCrazySexyCoolT-shirt. “I mean, it’s not a big deal. Canon just wants to do dinner with the department heads to discuss his vision forDessi Blue.”
No big deal, and yet my stomach has been tied in knots all day.
“Ready to see Monk?” Tessa asks, opening her mouth for Mel to feed her some of the takeout.
