Total pages in book: 151
Estimated words: 145746 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 729(@200wpm)___ 583(@250wpm)___ 486(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 145746 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 729(@200wpm)___ 583(@250wpm)___ 486(@300wpm)
“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 say I’m crazy. 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 TLC CrazySexyCool T-shirt. “I mean, it’s not a big deal. Canon just wants to do dinner with the department heads to discuss his vision for Dessi 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.
“Hey, you.” A smile stretches my face because it feels like forever since I’ve seen Tessa. “Where you been?”
She shrugs, a smug look on her face. “Around.”
“Oh, she’s definitely been around,” Mel mutters, sending me a meaningful glance I’ll have to interpret later.
Tessa punches Mel’s shoulder playfully and leans closer to the camera. “Are you avoiding the question about your ex, gem?”
Why did I think it was a good idea to tell them I’d dated Monk? Alcohol doesn’t mix well with my meds, so I rarely drink, but the three of us were celebrating my Golden Globe win that night two years ago. My liquor-loosened tongue spilled the beans to my besties about my previous relationship with the now-famous Wright Bellamy.
“I’m not avoiding the question,” I say, pulling the shirt over my head. “College was years ago and we only dated a few months.”
“But you said it ended badly, right?” Mel probes.
Sigh. Damn champagne…
“Uh, it wasn’t a good break, no.” I avoid their curious eyes by turning to my closet and searching for shoes. “I didn’t realize I was in a manic episode, my first, and I made some… bad choices.”
“Does he know about your diagnosis?” Mel asks, her voice softening.
“She doesn’t have to tell anyone about it if she doesn’t want to,” Tessa says, a defensive note creeping into her words. “You don’t know how it feels to be judged for the lowest moments of your life when you’re not fully in control. It sucks.”
“I know.” Mel shoots me a chagrined look. “Sorry. I just wonder if it would have made a difference if he’d known.”
“Maybe.” I pause getting ready to consider them both onscreen. “But I’ve had more pressing matters than convincing my college sweetheart I wasn’t a cheating bitch. Like not jumping off a building during an episode. I’m fine as I am. I’m not putting myself or anyone else in that situation again.”