Page 118 of That Fake Feeling

Elliotlooks atCharlotte, pulls a face that says he has no idea what’s going on, and follows me.

“Hey,Charlotte!”Maxshouts past me. “Sincewhen was it okay to let in people not on my calendar?”

“Oh, these guys are outside my control,” she calls back. “They’reyour problem.”

Maxrises from his chair and throws up his hands.

“Okay, well, come in, then.It’snot likeI’munder any time pressure to decide whether to spend tens of millions of dollars on a new telecommunications company that could be the next big thing, or anything important like that.”

“Hey,”Walkersays, appearing behindElliot.

“Oh, good,”Maxsays. “Anotherone.”Hestrides out from behind his desk. “ShouldIcallTom, then we’ll all be here?”

Istride over to the seating area near the huge window on the other side of the room.Myshirt sticks to my back.Myarmpits are clammy.Thisis both the most exciting and the most terrifying moment of my life.Andpossibly the sweatiest.

“Alreadytried that on the drive over.”Itake off my jacket and toss it onto a chair. “He’sat a gig with a couple of his new bands, and it’s too loud for him to talk.”

“Iwas joking,Con.”Maxshakes his head atWalkerandElliot. “Whatthe fuck are you all doing here?”

Walkerpoints at me. “I’mhere because he told me to be.”

“AndI’mhere because he just dragged me in with him,”Elliotsays.

“Couldyou all please sit down?”Iask them, taking charge for once. “Ihave something to tell you.”

“Areyou okay,Con?”Walkerasks. “Whyare you all red?Hassomething bad happened?”

“Nope.Theopposite.”Stilltoo hot,Iroll up my sleeves. “Thegreatest thing in the world has happened.”

Noneof them has moved.Ipoint at the sofa. “Couldyou all please sit down?”

“Sure.”Maxperches on the edge. “Ifit’ll get this over with soIcan get out of here in time to get up toWarmSpringsbefore midnight.”

Walkersits at the opposite end fromMax, andElliotdrops between them, leaning back, legs outstretched.

Ilook down atMax’sunnecessarily lush carpet for a second whileIgather myself. “Allright.”

Allmy sweaty parts suddenly turn cool.

Thisseemed like such a good idea on the way here, and in the cab, and in the elevator up toMax’soffice, and even whenIyanked his door open.Butthe adrenaline is starting to fade and now my brain is reminding me there’s an easier path—apologize for interrupting them, sayI’vemade a mistake, and leave.

Butmy brain is wrong.It’sbeen betraying me for years.

Ishove my hands into my pockets so the guys can’t see them shaking.

It’sshocking thatI’mso nervous to talk to the three people who should be the easiest in the world to communicate with.Andthey are—about every subject but this one.

“There’ssomethingIneed to tell you.”Myvoice catches.Icough to clear my throat.

Elliotsits up. “ShouldIaskCharlotteto get you some water?”

Maxrolls his eyes at me. “Sheleft for the day right after you guys barged in.”Hepoints at her empty desk, visible through the glass wall.

“Oh,”Elliotsays as he slumps back and folds his arms across his chest.

“Anyway.”Ipace in front of them, my heart pounding. “ThewholePRcampaign withRosewas an immediate success.Salesare up, so is the value of the company.Theboard loves me again.AndI’mnot being a dick anymore.”

Theylook back at me like three hungry squirrels sitting on the wall waiting to be fed by my neighbor.