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‘I’ve got other clients, you know,’ Leigh said defensively. ‘I don’t just run around putting out Erin’s fires.’

Alex said nothing and focused on the road. Ten minutes later, she couldn’t take the silence anymore. ‘So, you shocked I got Amanda to talk to us?’ she asked, trying to sound light.

‘Not really, no,’ Leigh said, a frown line appearing on her usually smooth forehead. She was still staring at her laptop.

Alex felt a deep desire to get her attention from her work. ‘Really? Because I believe the phrase you used was “Big If.”

‘Yeah, but that was because she said no to me. But you’re not me. So, what route did you go? You blackmail her or butter her up?’ Leigh asked casually, finally looking at her.

‘Neither.’

‘What then? A secret third PR method I’m sure I wouldn’t have a clue about?’ Leigh asked with a smirk.

‘You would, actually. I told her the truth,’ Alex admitted.

‘You did what?’ Leigh asked, surprised.

The rain outside changed from an occasional patter to a fast drumbeat.

‘I was square with her. No point playing this any other way.’

Leigh went quiet. Alex felt herself fretting about what was running through her mind. She felt oddly afraid in general.

Alex supposed what was driving her fear was that Leigh had the ability to induce someone to say stupid, honest shit. She was just so fuckingearnest. Bullshit seemed to fall away in her presence. It was a rather terrifying character trait—particularly in proximity. And Alex had said, ‘Hey, let’s sit in a three-by-three metal cube alone for half an hour!’ Idiot.

‘Hey, so I heard you signed Jeff Banner,’ Alex said, just for the sake of having something light to say.

‘That happened yesterday, but we’re not announcing it for another week. How on earth did you get wind of it this fast?’ Leigh asked.

‘I have my ways. Big get, though. Bosses must be pleased.’

Leigh closed her laptop. ‘You’re not going to let me get anything done, are you?’

‘Calloway, you gimme the word, and I’ll zip it,’ Alex assured her.

Leigh chewed that over. ‘Don’t zip anything. I’d love to hear more about this new movie Isabelle made last year about spousal abuse that I’m pretty sure doesn’t exist. Soundsharrowing.’

‘It does exist,’ Alex lied, though she was kind of smiling. She liked that Leigh saw through her ruse.

‘Are you actually going to get it made just to keep the lie up?’ Leigh asked.

‘Leigh, the movie exists. But if it didn’t, do you know how many movies don’t get distribution deals?’ Alex asked. ‘So many movies are shot and never seen. It’s very sad.’

Leigh snorted. ‘You’re unbelievable.’

Alex tossed her a grin. ‘I know,’ she agreed.

Leigh started to smile but then looked away like she didn’t want to be seen enjoying Alex and her filthy methods. But Alex could see she did. It pleased her more than she wanted it to.

Leigh managed to get the smile off her face and downshifted her tone to dour. ‘We should probably confer.’

‘About what?’

‘Amanda. We need to be on the same page when we meet her.’

‘I’m not worried about that,’ Alex told her. She smiled to herself. ‘You know what? I’m glad you’re going to be there.’

‘Oh?’ Leigh replied cynically. ‘Why’s that?’