Page 48 of Love on the Byline

Ollie nodded. “These scouts are harassing students who arestill under parental guardianship,” he began, thinking aloud. “You have to beeighteen to sign a contract in the U.S., right?”

“Yes.” She looked away and began to drum her long fingers onthe table next to the green leather notebook she’d placed between them. “Whichis why they target the parents as well, promising fame and riches.”

“Shit. If there’s anything I can do, please ask,” he said.“I want to help.”

“That would be great.” Blake’s smile lifted a few of theshadows from her eyes. “I know it’s a lot to ask, but could you pass along myinfo to your kids and tell them they can speak with me if they know or haveheard anything? It could be important. And they seem to like you.”

“They’re great kids.”

“With a great mentor.”

The server arrived, a slight young woman with light brownskin and a head full of long, thick locs. She smiled at them, the lightcatching on her lip piercing.

“I’ll have Old Forrester 1920, neat.”

Surprised, Ollie ordered the same. “And could we get thehummus plate and the Margherita flatbread? If you’re okay with that,” he added,looking at Blake.

“That sounds perfect. I’m actually starving.” Her laugh wasa tinkling bell, colored with embarrassment, but she glowed in the low light.

Ollie couldn’t stop staring.

“I’ll bring over a cup of our spiced pecans from the bar,”the server said. “To hold you over.”

“Okay, this is officially my favorite spot in Los Angeles.”She turned her bright smile towards him.

Pleased, Ollie sat back in the leather wingback, wishinghe’d joined her on the bench. “It’s a hangout for local writers.”

“Is it?” Her gaze swept the room. “You know anyone here?”

He’d noted a few familiar faces when they walked in. “I don’tcome here as often as I’d like.”

“Why not?” Blake’s expression hardened as the answer seemedto come to her. “You have to tell me how...why...” She swallowed, taking a deepbreath before she met his gaze again. “What’s it like working for him?”

“Bran?”

“No, the Pope.” Her tone was dry.

For some reason, this made him laugh.

Blake’s mouth curved at the corners as if against her will.

Their drinks arrived. The server also set down a bowl ofnuts which Blake pounced on, giving Ollie time to get his thoughts together.He’d known the question was coming and cursed himself for not having a betteranswer than, “Bran needed someone he could trust, now more than ever.”

“He has a literal team of people working for him.”

“It’s not the same.”

Blake narrowed her eyes. “I get that being in his position,it might be...challenging to find people you can really count on.”

“Everyone has an agenda.”

“Everyone? Even you?”

“Even me.”

He’d surprised her, and he liked that he had.

“Fair enough.”

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