Page 117 of Foreplay on Words

“Do you really think they’re...you know...” I could see Sam make a lewd hand gesture out of the corner of my eye.

“He must be huge. That’s the only explanation that makes any sense.”

“Pfft. Nope,” he shook his head.

“Chase?” Isobel asked loudly, drawing my attention away from the pair behind me.

“Hm?”

“Chase!” My head snapped toward Isobel’s voice. Her features were drawn in irritation. She could tell I hadn’t been paying attention to what she’d discussed with Evan.

“Yes?”

“Nice of you to join us.” I cringed a little at her tone.

“Busted,” Sam said under his breath to Kristine.

“Any issues with booking travel for Chicago the day after the release party in Boston?”

“No. Why aren’t we doing Boston first?” It would make more sense to do the book signings here if we had the release party in Boston.

“We’ll do New York and Boston last,” she explained.

“I’m okay with whatever Evan wants.”

“I thought maybe it would be good to be near family for the first leg,” he explained, looking at me.

“If that’s what you want.”

He nodded and picked up my hand, interlacing our fingers.

“Let me double-check with travel and PR. We can get a sample schedule worked up and send it through for your approval,” Isobel offered.

“Sounds good,” Evan nodded, and I did as well. I was following his lead on this one.

We all started packing up our things to leave. Kristine and Sam went first, and I swore I saw him smack her butt with a notepad right outside the door.

“Chase. A word?” Isobel requested as she perched at the edge of her desk with her arms crossed.

“Come hang out in my office, man,” Adrian told Evan as he patted his arm.

Evan leaned in, whispering in my ear. “Come rescue me when you’re done. Love you.”

He left a lingering kiss on the corner of my mouth and followed Adrian out of the room.

“I’ve got news.” Isobel’s face didn’t give away anything.

“Good news?” I asked hopefully.

“Maybe...”

The cryptic one-word answer didn’t foster any hope for positive news. “What now?”

“Good news is, they granted you a contract extension.” I nodded and motioned for her to go on. “Bad news is, they want a finished manuscript going to final proof in three months max.”

“Shit, seriously?” That was a narrow timeline if we would start a book tour soon.

“I know. I tried to go to bat for you, but they said you can cancel your contract without penalties or fulfill the obligation.”

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