Page 94 of Not on the Same Page

“Which page is that?” I ask around a yawn.

“The one where we love each other,” he says as if it’s obvious.

And I drift off to sleep with a smile, my body and mind more at ease than they’ve ever been.

32

CASEY

“Thanks for meeting with us, Imani,” I say to her image on the screen.

“Again,” Trina adds from her seat next to me in my condo. It’s been two weeks of plotting and planning, spending late nights not only setting up Trina’s new business, but reaching out to contacts, wading through queries, and collecting information about all the editors she’s worked with.

She even took time out from all of that to reach out to agents she knew well who had young adult submissions out to ask if they might consider submitting them to me. With her help, I’ve filled out most of Starlight’s spring season with fantastic titles I wouldn't have otherwise looked at. I’m excited for them all, nonetheless.

She has called her mom every night, too. And every night, her mom answers.

I’m beyond proud of her, but most importantly, I can tell she’s proud of herself. Gone are the bags under her eyes and the tension in her shoulders. She’s building the life she wants, and Imani is the last piece of the puzzle.

“I can’t wait to hear what you’ve cooked up.” Imani rubs her palms together with an eager grin on her face. Isabella is also on the call, and her smile is equally wide.

“Thanks for your patience while I figured this whole thing out.” Trina flashes a bright smile. “And remember, if you don’t like what you hear, you are still a client of Northbridge. No hard feelings. Casey will still have this series, and I’m still rooting for you.”

“Suzanna never impressed me,” Imani states. “You did.”

Trina winces, and I take her hand in mine under the table. She clutches it the way she has been every time she encounters something difficult these past few weeks. The way I hope she always does. I want to be this for her—someone who can support her when she needs it, and I want the privilege of watching her soar when she doesn’t.

“So, as I’m sure you’ve heard, I’m starting my own literary agency. Well, Isabella and I are doing it together. The McBryde & Reyes Literary Agency.”

“Or Reyes & McBryde,” Isabella chimes in. “We haven’t settled on the name yet.”

Trina rolls her eyes, but it’s good-natured. “Either way, we would love to represent you if you wanted to transition from Northbridge to us. The transition for you would be relatively smooth since your first book hasn’t come out yet, and since we have a good working relationship with Starlight.”

“More than a working relationship, if you know what I mean.” Isabella winks comically.

“Oh my god.” Trina lets go of my hand so she can lean forward and glare at the camera. “If you can’t show some professionalism for more than five seconds, I’m going to fire you.”

“You can’t fire your business partner,” Isabella singsongs. “Besides, you’re, like, in his condo, sitting next to him right now. If you wanted to hide it, you could have at least taken this call from separate rooms.”

“We thought about that,” I say, and Trina turns her glare to me. “We figured since everyone here knows how obsessed I am with her, it made more sense to just sit together.”

“I’m going to fire you too,” Trina mutters under her breath.

“Give her a little authority and she gets all power-hungry,” Isabella says, and I imagine she’s directing it to me.

“I’m not your employee either,” I remind her.

Through it all, Imani is hiding her mouth behind her hand, her shoulders shaking with repressed laughter. “Oh, I’m definitely going to want to work with you,” she says. “This is fun.”

“Well, I’m glad you said that.” Trina sits a bit straighter. “Our goal is to keep things fun. Though we could be a tad more professional.”

“Nah,” Isabella pulls a face. “Unnecessary.”

“Anyway, the reason we wanted to talk to you is because we’ve been over and over this, but I just don’t see a way that I can personally represent you anymore.” She reaches over and grabs my hand again, but she looks at me this time. I meet her gaze, and she smiles softly, resolution crossing her features with the knowledge that she’s doing the right thing for herself, for her business, and for us.

“I’m in love with your editor,” she says, still looking at me. “It wouldn’t be right to continue to represent you and have a personal relationship with him. So, if you’d like to work with us, I’ll still be involved in your deals, but secondarily. Isabella will be your agent. We completely understand if that’s not what you want. You signed with me, but…I have to do what’s best for you and for me, and this is it, unfortunately.”

There’s silence after she’s done speaking, but I barely notice. I can’t stop looking at her—she’s so beautiful, her hazel eyes filled with determination and love, her features relaxed and happy.