Page 11 of Trip Me Up

4

NIALL

I followedGabi through the maze of white tablecloths in the bayside restaurant toward where Heidi sat, waving, at a table by the window. The bubbly notes of the ’90s song “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” played counterpoint to the tinkle of flatware on china.

Speeding up to catch Gabi, I whispered in her ear, “Don’t mention I was blocked, okay? It’s all good now.” It was only partly a lie. My fingers had tingled for a few days after that fundraiser. But my muse was fickle, prone to abandoning me when I needed her most.

“You fucking better be good now. I need my fifteen percent in October. My nieces and nephews want Christmas presents from tía Gabi.”

My chest tightened. Gabi was making light of it, but both my family and my best-friend-slash-agent needed cash. I’d lock myself in a closet for a week with a case of Red Bull before I’d accept another extension that’d push payday out again.

“Niall!” Heidi stood when we reached her table and beckoned me down for a hug. I bent and gently patted her delicate shoulders. She was strong, though, and her wiry little arms banded around my chest. After she hugged Gabi, I took the chair closest to the window where I could steal glances at the lowering clouds outside. Their undersides were dark, promising rain. Was the farm getting rain? I needed to call home soon.

In the potted tree on the other side of the glass, a song sparrow perched and opened its beak. Too bad I couldn’t hear its call over the loud restaurant music, which transitioned to A-Ha’s “Take On Me.” Gabi swept into the chair beside me, across from Heidi.

“Thanks for meeting me before I have to go back to New York,” Heidi said, checking her phone. “Where are you off to next?”

Gabi tapped on her phone. “We leave for Comic-Con on Saturday.”

“Better you than me. I need to be in my office to get any work done.” Heidi looked up from her own phone. “How’s the book going, Niall?”

I choked on the water I’d dared to sip, and Gabi slapped my back. Finally, I spluttered, “Fine.”

“Good, good. On track to meet your deadline?”

“I’ll make it.”

Heidi tore her gaze from her phone at my growl.

“Of course he will.” Gabi glared at me before she turned a sparkling smile on Heidi. “You’ll love the new character he’s introduced. He’s just adding those last, magical touches.”

“Oh?” Heidi speared me with her shrewdest stare. “A love interest for Nieven?” She’d been pushing for a romantic subplot since she’d bought my first book.

“Maybe.” I wasn’t sure yet. After Lobelia freed Nieven and Winter from the spider’s lair, she’d gone cold and silent. Nieven bumbled along the way he usually did, but so far, Lobelia hadn’t had anything to say to either the wood elf or me.

“I thought Nieven might end up with Greva.” Heidi’s phone buzzed, and she glanced at it.

I didn’t look at Gabi. Instead, I picked up my menu. She knew I’d modeled Nieven and Greva’s friendship after ours. And although we’d dated in college—briefly, until that ill-fated visit to the wifi-free farm—we worked better as friends. And business partners. Like Nieven and Greva. “Who says there has to be a love interest at all?”

TheFriendstheme song started to play. The music was going to put me off my lunch.

“No one,” Heidi said, her tone bland. “I can’t wait to read this new character.”

“Are we still planning to release next summer?” Gabi asked.

“Actually…” Heidi’s smile hid a secret. “We’re moving you up.”

“Up?” Gabi dropped her menu onto the table and picked up her phone. “Send me the new schedule?”

“How much up?” My heart lodged in my throat, cutting off my breath.

“We have an opportunity for a one-two punch.” Heidi stabbed at her phone. I wished I could hurl it out the window. “I can’t say anything until it’s officially announced, but I’ve signed a Very Exciting Book.” Heidi had a way of capitalizing her speech like that. “It’s an urban-fantasy-slash-sci-fi crossover, and it’ll have Synergy with your fanbase. It comes out in a few months, and I’m expecting a lot of Buzz for it. Maybe even a Movie Contract. Your studio is reading it now, and they’ve agreed to cofund a Joint Tour. I’ve asked Qiana to set it up. In February. It’s an excellent opportunity for you.”

I couldn’t swallow. I was going to pass out if I didn’t get air soon.

“February?” Gabi repeated.

“We’re already promotingTreachery of the Wood Elves.We’ll have to fast-track it, but I don’t want to miss this Opportunity.”

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