Page 31 of Kill Your Darlings

“Correct!” they said.

“Okay.If that’s the case, then you’re going to have to get serious about coming up with a new proposal for W&W.”

Gwen said excitedly, “Oh!What if Mike the Magici—”

“No,” I said firmly.“Something completely new.New characters.New setting.New premise.”

They looked crestfallen.And a little frightened.

I was shepherding the Dove sisters through the glass doors of the hotel when Lila charged out of the now-packed lobby bar to intercept me.

“What did you say to Finn Scott?”she demanded, ignoring the sisters.

I looked past her to the bar, where I saw a table of W&W editors watching us with open curiosity.

I said calmly, “When?”

“Today.Whenever!What did you tell him?”

“About what?Working with you?I said you’re an excellent editor.I said I hoped you’d both be very happy together.”

Her eyes narrowed.“The hell you did.You either told him he owed you or you played the pity card.Or both.I’m guessing both.”

The pity card?

My heart sped up in a rush of adrenalin.Lila had a reputation for being brusque and abrasive, but that was actually the first time I’d ever known her to be deliberately, offensively rude.In public.Or maybe it was just the first time I’d been on the receiving end of her full outrage.

However, if there was one thing I knew how to do, it was hide my feelings.I gave her my best blank look.

The Doves, though, gasped, their faces flushing pink beneath the powder.

Connie glared at Lila.Gwen put her hand on my arm and said pointedly, “Thank you for a wonderful lunch, Keiran.Andyour usual kindness and wisdom.”

They treated Lila to their pale and icy stares before departing in their little ladylike beige pumps.

Lila watched them go.She said with scornful amusement.“I guess the Snoop Sisters toldme.”She glared.“I don’t know what you think you’re accomplishing, Keiran, by dragging authors into your private war with us.”

I blinked.“As far as I know, I’m one ofus.And I’m not sure what you think you’re accomplishing by bringing this up in the middle of a hotel lobby.”

That gave her a moment’s pause.But she drew herself up and said coldly, “Maybe you should inform Mr.Scott that theeditorial directorat Woodhouse & Woodhouse will have the final say on who he works with moving forward.That is not your decision to make.Norhis.”

Sure.First of all, Finn’s latest was already through copyediting and typesetting.We were firmly in production now, and barring some last-minute catastrophe, the book would go to press on schedule.As for his next project?Yes, we’d chatted about it, casually, informally.He had yet to propose it.Meaning, nothing—including Finn—was under contract.

Did Lila imagine Finn’s agent wasn’t aware that they were free to take that book wherever they liked?Did she imagine that Finn and his agent had no idea how much W&W wanted that book?

I said, “I suggest you bring that up with Mr.Scott’s agent.Scott told me this morning he’d decided you were right about changing things up, getting a fresh perspective.”I shrugged.

Her eyes narrowed.“Oh please!And you’re pretending you were fine with that?”

“No, but I could see it from his viewpoint.”

“You’re forgetting who you’re talking to.Iknowyou, Keiran.”

I couldn’t help laughing.“Doyou?”

“Yes!You weren’t remotely open to the idea of Scott leaving your list.And I think we both know why.”

“For a lot of reasons,” I agreed.“But it’s not my decision, so I’ll let Finn fight that battle.Who’s the new editorial director at W&W?”Not me, obviously.