Page 45 of The Casting Couch

That got him.A tiny, reluctant laugh broke out of him.Soft but real.His first actual smile since I’d seen him.

And wow.

Hearing that sound, God.It hit me right in the chest.Made me want to hear it again.Immediately.

So I kept going.

I grabbed a sandwich and held it up like I was a game show model showing off a prize.“This one’s got turkey and provolone.Full of healing properties.Also, I’m pretty sure eating it will reverse the psychological damage caused by Lola’s… services.”

Bradley’s laugh got a little louder.“Not sure that’s medically accurate.”

“Oh, I don’t do medical accuracy,” I said, grinning.“I do emotional support and poor decisions.”

He smiled down at the sandwich tongs like they were suddenly the funniest thing he’d ever seen.

We were still standing there, giggling over deli meats, when Jack cleared his throat.

Both of us turned toward the table.

Everyone—and I mean everyone—was staring at us.

Laura had one eyebrow raised, like she was mentally taking notes.Liam was biting back a smirk.Moira had gone into full gossip-mode, sipping her coffee slowly like she was watching a soap opera.And Nessa… Nessa looked like Christmas had come early.

Jack gave us a look that said, “Anytime, gentlemen.”

Sheepishly, Bradley and I grabbed our food and hustled to two empty chairs side by side.

As we sat down—Bradley gingerly, like every surface was made of hot coals—I stole one last glance at him.

He was still red around the eyebrows.Still moving like he needed medical leave.Still adorable in that whole wounded-animal sort of way.

I didn’t know what this meeting was about.

But I suddenly didn’t mind being here at all.

Jack cleared his throat again.“Alright.Let’s call this meeting to order…”

And with that, we were off.

Jack cleared his throat again, tapping a pen against the table like he was warming up for a TED Talk.“First off… Nico.”

I blinked.“Me?”

Jack nodded, giving me a rare, genuine smile, the kind he usually reserved for Liam or big subscriber milestones.“We want to thank you for trusting us with your comedy career.It means a lot.We’re gonna work our asses off to make sure you’re a success.”

My stomach did this weird, flippy thing.“Wow.Thanks, boss.”I gave him a little salute.“I like the sound of ‘success.’Sounds expensive.”

The table chuckled.

Nessa leaned forward, her huge acrylic nails tapping against her iced coffee like castanets.“And speaking of expensive… your management contract’s ready.”She pointed at me, all sly grin and Bronx attitude.“After this meeting, I’ll give it to you to look over.”

Liam immediately jumped in, waving a forkful of salad for emphasis.“And get an entertainment lawyer to review it.Seriously.”

I gave him a thumbs-up.“Obviously.I like to know exactly how I’m selling my soul.”

“Good man,” Liam said.

Jack set his pen down with a little clap against the table.“Okay.Now, for the real reason, we’re all here.”

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