Page 120 of Between the Lines

“Yes. People consume it like entertainment, but for you... it’s your life. It’syourfamily.” My voice comes out fierce.

Mandy taps her fingers against the marble again. “Yes. Exactly! It’s infuriating. The public gotsomany things wrong!”

“Like what?”

She opens her mouth, but then she shakes her head with a smile. “I know what you’re doing. You’re getting the interview already.”

“I’m just getting to know you.”

“Uh-huh.” She sets a large paper bag on the kitchen counter. “I was hoping you’d be here because… I actually want to invite you to something tonight.”

“Oh?”

“Yes. It’s a tiny bit self-serving.” Her smile turns winsome. “I’m a part-owner of a company, and we’re launching our next line this evening.”

“Really?”

“Yes, at a launch party over in the Hills. Restricted guest list, and there’s a no phones policy.”

I like the sound of that. “What company?”

Her smile widens. “I think I’ll let you figure that out when you arrive. Is that terribly presumptuous of me? I just like the idea of giving you a challenge.”

I laugh. “Honestly, you sound a lot like your brother right now.”

“I do?”

“Yes. He loves a game, and never wants to submit to an interview question unless he gets something in return.” As soon as the words are out of my mouth, I feel heat racing up my cheeks.

Like an orgasm.

I take a long sip of the cold juice and try to look innocent.

Mandy starts to chuckle. “Well, we were raised in the same household, after all. He’s coming tonight, too. I’ve badgered him into it.”

“That’ll be fun.”

“Yes. And I was wondering if, maybe, you’d want to write a little piece on it?” She’s looking at me with wide eyes, and I know I’m being manipulated. But I also know this might be a necessity to gain the interview.

I’ve done far weirder things in the past to get an “in” with the memoir subjects.

“I can do my best, yeah. Where would it be published?”

“Online,” she says, like that explains everything. Her face is all smiles again. “You’re a very talented writer, or so my brother says. I’d love to read a few of your draft chapters.”

“I can show you. We could meet for lunch tomorrow or the day after,” I suggest. “You can then see the article I write about your company’s product launch, and read some of the chapters about your brother. And we could chat.”

When in doubt, formalize the agreement.

Mandy looks at me across the kitchen island. She hears the bargain just as clearly as I do.

But then she nods. “Yes. We’ll do that. I’ll book us a table.”

“How about working here? I can order in, and we’ll sit out on Aiden’s patio.” I give her a friendly smile. “Less noise. We can focus better.”

“All right, that makes sense. But,” she says and holds up a finger in my direction, “don’t become a hermit like Aiden.”

“A hermit?”

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