Page 26 of Between the Lines

“Oh, Chaos.” His deep voice turns wry once more. “Nowadays, it’s the only thing I’ve got left.”

CHAPTER 10

AIDEN

I have a headache. It’s not uncommon these days, but it’s fucking annoying. Just like that strategy session I just held. The streaming service I want Titan to purchase doesn’t want to get sold. The sibling owners have been toying with selling for months, and I’ve entertained them, played their game, formonths.

Even with the failing financials, with the lack of capital keeping their enterprise afloat, they’re resistant. They want more money. More influence. They’re on the same page, and then suddenly, they’re not.

I’ve met every shade of person in this business. But everything hinges on this purchase.Everything.And my patience is wearing thin.

The future of Titan Media as a production company and media network is in streaming. And it’s inowningthe means of getting our content out to people.

I down the water bottle I keep on my desk. Reach into the top drawer for an Advil and look at my watch.

It’s only a little after noon.

Which means there’s still too many hours left of meetings.

It had taken me time to get used to people’s eyes resting on me with expectations. Waiting for orders, for speeches, for encouragement or reprimands. Now those gazes have gotten familiar enough that I can feel them even inside this office.

I click open my calendar. There’s a twenty-minute lunch break scheduled soon, and it’s marked green. Charlotte’s name is on it.

She’s coming to my office for our second interview.

The sight of her name on my agenda is… thrilling. As inconvenient as it is, assheis… there’s no denying that talking to her was the most fun I had yesterday, and it was all before eight in the morning. In a car. Stuck in traffic.

She’s fierce. Takes everything I give her and responds in kind. Often in surprising ways. It’s dangerously sweet. Something I could easily become addicted to.

Sunlight streams through my full-pane windows. It’s a bright spring day, and I want air. Los Angeles air, sure. It won’t be particularly fresh. But I spend far too much time inside these four walls.

I grab my suit jacket and phone, and head out of the office. Pass Eric on the way.

“Tell Ms. Gray that our meeting location has changed. I’ll meet her in the lobby instead.”

He’s up and out of his chair so fast that the wheels make a scraping noise against the tiled floor. “You will?”

“Yes.”

“Do you need me to come, too?”

I’m already walking toward the elevator. “No thanks, Eric,” I call over my shoulder. “Man the fort while I’m gone!”

His response ofwill doreaches me just as the elevator doors shut. I hit the button for the ground floor and look at my watch again. She should be here in five minutes. Which means, I’m taking my lunch a bit ahead of schedule.

What a rebel.

I run a hand through my hair. The headache hasn’t abated, not one bit. Maybe sunlight will help. Maybe Chaos will help more.

She’s already in the lobby.

Standing by the reception, talking to the man behind the desk. It isn’t until I’m right next to her that I can make out the conversation.

“Ah… yes, here you are,” the receptionist says. His eyes are glued to his screen. “You’re on the approved visitor list. Let me grab your ID and make a copy.”

“Every time?” I ask. “She needs to do this every time?” She should have gotten an access card the very first day she was here.

“It’s protocol.” The receptionist looks up from his screen. His lips part, and there’s a slow beat of silence. “Oh. I’m sorry, sir. She’s your guest?”

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