Page 59 of Love: Take Two

Awa Faye:I'm in LA to close a deal, but I'll be back on Friday. Until then, you'll just have to settle for craft services.

Why would I settle for sandwiches and potato chips when what I really want is another taste of your chocolate lava cake?

Someone pats me on the back, and I nearly jump out of my skin.

"Yong-rae!" I sputter. "You almost gave me a heart attack!"

"My bad," he says, smiling a bit too wide. Did he see what I was typing? Nah. I was careful. "Just stopping by to say hi to my favorite talent agent."

"I better be youronlytalent agent," I answer, pushing him in the direction of the stage. "Now get over there before you're late."

He gives me a tiny salute before walking off, and I immediately open my phone again. Awa's about to find out that my dirty talking skills don't hold a candle to my sexting game. Next time, she'll think twice before pulling a Cinderella act when things are finally starting to get good.

Chapter thirty-one

Awa

Noah Park

Noah Park:I hope you're not wearing anything under that prim little pencil skirt I know you have on, counselor.

Noah Park:You know what I do to anything that gets between me and that sweet cunt of yours.

I hurriedly close my phone and put it face down on the conference room table. My complexion is dark enough to hide my blush, but the VP of Development taking the chair across from me is bound to notice if I keep squirming in my seat.

This week has been torture. I booked my flight on the way home from Noah's apartment, packed in half an hour, and went straight to JFK for my flight to LAX. I've beenon the phone nonstop since I landed, fielding calls from my West Coast clients and handling a bidding war to option the latest script from Patrick Aimes, a screenwriter on my roster. Apparently, once I decided to put my entire focus back onto work and not my sexy office mate, there was plenty of work to be done.

I nod politely as the rest of the executives file into the room.

It's not like I was shirking my duties, I tell myself, feeling uneasy at even the suggestion that I was missing a step professionally. I was just a little more hands-off than usual. Putting off my monthly trip to LA. Managing negotiations primarily by video call. Skipping some of the NYC Bar and Columbia Law luncheons.

I frown at the mental list.

Maybe I was slackinga little, but me at seventy-five percent is better than most lawyers at full capacity. And haven't I earned a break? Double-majoring, three grueling years in law school, and clawing my way up the chain of command at Gehrig & Associates, all with no break. I'm long overdue for getting a life.

I sneak another glance at my phone and blush again. Apparently my life now includes giving in to Noah when he turns the seduction on full blast. I don't know what's gotten into him this past week, but I'm smart enough to take a gift when it lands in my lap.

"Ms. Faye," Daniel calls from the head of the long table. "I'm glad you were able to meet on such short notice."

Daniel Jenson is a tall, svelte man with platinum blonde hair and eyes like ice. His gaze is piercing to the point of discomfort, but I meet his eyes with an unwavering stare of my own.

"Of course. Patrick has had multiple offers on 'The Dark Gate' this week alone. When the entire development team from Fossekall Pictures asks to meet with him, I make it a point to attend."

Daniel gives me a smile even colder than his eyes.

"I asked the development team to join me to ensure Patrick fully understands our eagerness to acquire his work, Ms. Faye. When I spoke with Conrad Gehrig two days ago, he indicated you may not be available to join, and that he'd be happy to attend on your behalf."

That piece of shit!I always suspected he was whispering to my clients, trying to poach them behind my back. He and Emmitt have made it no secret that they don't think I should be representing such big-name clients. I found them after attending endless student showcases, championed them from their very first studio deals, dealt with more than a few scandals and came out unscathed, but now I can't handle A-listers?

"Well," I answer, straightening the pendant on my necklace so I don't strangle someone, "now that won't be necessary. I'm sure Conrad will be relieved."

The no-name suits behind Daniel whisper behind hands while Daniel remains the picture of calm. After about aminute, he holds his hand up—actually holds his hand up, like some ancient monarch—and the chatter ceases.

"Very well, Ms. Faye. Let us—what's the expression?—get down to business."

"What a fucking tool," Patrick mutters when the particulars have all been laid out and the team from Fossekall gave us the room. He's not wrong; we've been here for less than an hour and I feel like I already need another shower. The good feelings from Noah's dirty texts are long gone, too.

"But is he a tool you can use," I reply, referring to Daniel. "Despite their unprofessional demeanor,"putting it mildly, I scoff inwardly, "they are in a great position to bring 'The Dark Gate' to life."