Page 69 of Austen Persuaded

My smile faltered a bit, thinking of the person at the agency I wished Ididn’tknow, or at least I wished I didn’t have to face him there nearly every day. “It does, though I think my instant connection with Sofia helped. She’s the agent I made quick friends with.”

Jack took a long swig of his drink and then crossed his arms over his chest. “So tell us about this acquisition. How does that even work anyway?”

I bit my lip. “It’s actually a New York agency that’s been acquiring smaller agencies around the country. He tried to sell it to us as a positive for our regional agency, that we’ll have better access to bigger publishers and more power in the collective. That remains to be seen, but I suppose it makes sense.” I sighed. “Still, such a massive shakeup at the company almost right after I start a new job—a newcareer—is a bit harrowing, you know?”

“Who’s he?” Viviana asked.

“What?”

“You said ‘he’ tried to sell this vision of the acquisition as benefiting you guys … Who? The acquirer? Or your agency’s old leadership?”

My cheeks heated. “Oh, uh, I guess both.”

Viviana peered at me closely. “Annie, are you OK?”

“I’m fine,” I rushed to reply. “Well, I, uh—”

“You don’t look fine,” Jack said in his usual gentle tone. “But if you want to talk about something else, that’s OK.” He turned to Viviana with a pointed look. “We don’t mind.”

My gaze swung from Jack to Viviana and back again before sighing in resignation. “Oh, why not? I’ll probably have to tell you eventually,” I muttered. After a deep breath, I raised my chin and began, “Viviana, do you remember Kylan Quinn from college? The guy I was kind of serious about?”

Her eyes widened and lips parted, and she nodded slowly. She and Jack exchanged a strange look.

“Well, he’s the acquirer. The big New York agency is his.”

Silence.

“He’swhat?”

“Yeah.”

“That’s impossible!”

“It’s not.”

“How couldhe… how couldanyonego from nothing to … to such a prestigious position in, what, five years?”

“Four.”

“It does sound quite impressive,” Jack finally weighed in. “And how are you doing with that, Annie?”

I pressed my lips together, full of resolve. “I’m fine. I obviously moved on, long ago.”

Viviana nodded, with an approving smile. “Good. And so has he, I’m sure.” When my lips quivered a bit, she added softly, “He didn’t deserve you anyway.”

“I’m not sure about that. It seems like the other way around, actually. He’s the big shot, and I’m the lowly assistant.” I forced a laugh and flipped my hair back as though it mattered not at all.

Viviana raised her eyebrows. “What? No. He may have a fancy job title now, but that doesn’t mean he’s good enough for you.”

“Well, it doesn’t matter because I–I, well, I’m not interested in him anymore. It’s just a temporary work situation that we have to endure, and then he’ll go back to New York and …” I paused. My friends were studying me intently. What could I say? I hadn’t thought that far ahead. I’d just focused on how much I wanted him out of my life because … it was excruciating. ButdidI really wanthim out of my life? Could I handle saying goodbye again? Losing him again?

He’s not yours to lose.

“And that’s that,” I finished with a shrug.

Viviana opened her mouth to speak, but Jack’s hand entwined with hers. “Vivi and I are here for you if you ever want to talk, but it sounds like you’re handling everything just fine on your own. I’m really excited thatyou’reso excited about this new career. You deserve that, Annie.”

My friend nodded slowly, reluctant to give up the subject of Kylan. “Just … be careful. He’s the boss now, and this job means a lot to you. Jack’s right, youtotallydeserve an amazing career that you love. And I want to hear all about what agents do. After all, I’m going to need one at some point myself!”

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