Page 135 of Just for the Plot

I scoff at her. “Give them more credit than that.”

“True. Apparently the first book you recommended is a well-known start of a series. Many comments from readers looking for a space to talk about it. Which is why I need to set up a date with you that would work to have a book club night. We’re also coming up with merch that we can ship out to the first one hundred members who join your Patreon.”

“Don’t people have to pay for that? I don’t want to make money off anyone.”

“Technically no, but we’re going to have a pay tier.”

“What? No.” I shake my head. “I’m not taking money from people.”

“Calm down.” She plops in the seat in front of me. “All proceeds will be donated to one of the foster care charities you work with. I just need you to pick which one, or you can divvy up the money to all three. Up to you.”

“Oh.” I lean my forearms on the table in front of me. “Will they be told that’s where the money will be going?”

She nods. “Yes. If you would like to add a backstory, you can. Up to you. I know you like to keep that side of your life private, although I think it would be helpful to bring awareness, but again, that’s totally up to you.”

See, just when I start to think that Gretchen is the bad guy, she really isn’t. She wasn’t the bad guy when it came to Maple and Graydon, and she’s not the bad guy here. Under all those black pantsuits and slicked-down hair, she really does have a heart.

“Let me think on it.”

“Fair enough.” She clears her throat. “Now, I plan on partnering up with a local bookstore, preferably indie, so we can also support small business. I’m still looking around, trying to see which one would be the best fit but—”

“I have one.”

“Really?” she asks, crossing one leg over the other. “Which one?”

“Uh, well, it’s still kind of in the works, but I know it’ll be amazing.”

“What do you mean…in the works?”

“Don’t worry about it.” I stand from the table and rap my knuckles on the surface. “Good talk, though. Have to get ready for the game.”

“When will you tell me the store? I have to keep this going. We have traction, Bennett.”

“I know. Just…let me feel it out first. I can chat next week.”

And then without another word, I take off and pull my phone from my pocket as I head toward the locker room. I didn’t think this thing was going to blow up, but now that it has “legs,” I think we need to run with it, and I have the perfect way to do that.

I shoot off a text, my smile growing wider as I think about how great this could be.

Bennett:I need to talk to you tonight. Coming to your apartment after the game. Super important.

CHAPTER 24

BOWER

“It’s important?” I say, pacingAdalade’s living room. “What does he mean by ‘important’?” I pause and turn to her, tears filling my eyes. “He told his sister. I know he did. And now he’s letting me down gently, telling me that she never wants to see me ever again.”

“Why is that where your first thought goes?” Adalade says as she folds one of the cashmere sweaters I found for her today.

“Because that would be the only important thing he could talk to me about. He said it was urgent, which means…oh God, she’s coming here to punch me in the face.”

“Dear God in heaven, girl.” Adalade practically snorts in exhaustion. “If you weren’t so damn good at your job, I’d have fired you over this nonsense. You’re a smart woman; start acting like one.”

“I am. That’s why I’ve thought this through. This is the only conclusion I could come up with.”

“Really? Out of all the things he has to talk to you about, maybe he enjoyed your special book reading time so much, and he wants another crack at it.”

Yeah, I told Adalade what happened, because she’s the only one I can talk to at this point and she’s invested. It was awkward at first, but then she told me a story about how she used to dabble in a good diddle—her words—back in the day, and well, that made it awkward. My story was nothing in comparison to hers.