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Arch scratched the back of his head, as though he couldn’t quite figure out what to say. “But I told you to stay away from her. I told you to stay away from both my sisters.”
He’d made that argument a few times now, and it was starting to sound a little weak. This was good. Jay hadn’t become an expert negotiator without being able to gauge the strength of an argument and the commitment behind it. Archer might be saying the words, but he was having trouble holding on to his conviction.
Jay opened his hands. “You did. And I’m telling you right now, I tried. I never thought of Erin as anything but your kid sister. But since I’ve arrived here and we’ve come to know each other, what I feel for Erin is unlike anything I’ve ever felt before—anything I thought I was capable of feeling. Can you understand that?”
Okay, it was a bit of a low blow and he knew it. Because Archer had walked the same road Jay was walking now, having to accept that Tessa, the love of his life, had been right under his nose for a while before he’d figured it out.
However, Archer wasn’t giving in that easily. “What happened with me and Tessa has absolutely nothing to do with you and Erin.”
“No. I know that. But you have to admit the situations are a little similar.”
Damien obviously couldn’t hold himself back any longer. Outraged, he growled, “But she’s our little sister. You had to know she was off limits.”
Jay turned to the fierce rock star. “I never meant to fall for your sister, and I know what a shock this must be for all of you. I agree that I’m not good enough for her, but I love your sister so much that I would give up my whole life and every dollar I’ve ever earned for her. She’s my everything.”
Archer scoffed and then stepped forward, getting right in Jay’s face. “Do you really think that after pulling a stunt like this, I would let you near my business?”
Sure, it was hard to face the threat of losing one of his most lucrative clients, but Jay was not going to be intimidated. Not by Arch or anybody else. He didn’t flinch or retreat. “Falling in love with Erin is not a stunt. I’d pick loving your sister over running your career any day of the week.”
Arch was so shocked he couldn’t seem to find words.
Finn muttered, “I never thought I’d see the day.”
Arch finally found his voice. “Wait a minute. I’m firingyou. You can’t fireme.”
Jay looked at his friend, red in the face, nostrils flaring, and softened. In a quieter tone, he said, “I don’t want to fire you. I want to represent you and your best interests. I want to keep making money for both of us and finding you movies so great they haven’t even been dreamed up yet. All I’m saying is that if I have to choose between the two of you, I choose Erin.”
Nick shifted on the sofa. “It’s easy tosayyou love her. Can you prove it?”
How did you prove love? How could he show what lay deep in his heart? Did they expect him to pull out that organ and display it for them?
Then an idea struck like a sneaky wave. An idea so embarrassing he wasn’t sure he could do it. Would he make himself that vulnerable to four of the toughest guys he knew?
Well, Nick wanted proof. He couldn’t think of anything better than this. He pulled out his phone and tapped through it.
“It kills me to do this,” Jay said. “I can’t even believe I’m showing you.” Then he had to close his eyes as he pushed the phone toward Arch. “Read this.”
Arch took the phone and stared down at it. “What is this? Are you trying to pitch me a project?Now?”
The other three gathered around to look over Archer’s shoulder and Damien said, “It’s a screenplay.”
“I know that, genius,” Arch snapped, “but why do I want to read a screenplay now?”
Nick, who was the most computer savvy of them all, began flicking the pages forward. “It’s a romantic comedy.” Now the four of them were silent, all skim reading. “It’s about us. Our family. And Jay and Erin.” Nick sounded like he couldn’t believe it. Then all the brothers stared at Jay.
Stunned surprise dripping off every word, Arch said, “No way did you write this.”
“I did. It started out as kind of a love letter to Erin, but now the two of us are working on it. Together. We just figured out the ending last night.”
Archer and Damien stared at each other. “He’s not bluffing,” Archer said. “He never puts his clients in romantic comedies. If he’swritingone for Erin, he’s got to be in love with her.”
“That’s what I keep telling you. I love your sister and she loves me. Deal with it.” And as they all stood there, looking more like they wanted to laugh at him than kick his ass, he said, “Can I have my phone back?”
He had done everything he possibly could here and had nothing left to give. Jay said a curt good-bye and left the room, wondering if Arch would ever speak to him again, never mind let him represent him any longer.
He was almost to the door when Archer yelled after him, “We’re watching the video of the Scottish wedding tonight at seven. Make sure you and Erin come.”
Chapter Thirty-Two