Page 16 of Work: Strictly Professional

When I’ve waited the societally expected length of time for an answer, plus twenty more seconds, without receiving one, I turn to leave.

“Wyn,” says the Dark Lord, gravelly and low. It’s still moreIthanY,but I let it go because, I swear, I thought the way he pronounced my name last week would give me an aneurysm.W-yin? What the fuck?By Friday afternoon, I had a headache that felt like a needle was being driven into my eye socket, and I’m sure that was the reason. I called my mom to check if I was in mortal danger. She said definitely not and told me to resign. Anyway, I’m at the point where I’d cheerfully rather legally change my first name than correct Derek MacAvoy on it again. “Miller has been besotted with Ryan since the second he met him.”

“Oh,” I say, nodding encouragingly but unsure how that relates to the situation at hand.

There’s a long pause. A slight glint of oxidized metal, and then he adds, “If you want to make Miller happy, find out what Ryan wants—and give it to him.”

Find out what Ryan wants?Findoutwhat Ryan wants? How the hell am I supposed to do that? The man barely speaks. He hardly said two words on the call yesterday. Find out what he wants? What a ridiculous suggestion.

Actually.

Wait.

It’s not a bad idea.

Ryan’s best man is a woman named Emily. She must know things. She must. That’s how women are. They know things.

I have her on the line in less than three minutes.

Talk about a single conversation turning an entire day around. Emily Parker is an absolute delight. A total joy. She’s by far the best person I’ve spoken to since I started at MacAvoy Group. No question about it. She had a wealth of information for me about Ryan and was only too happy to share it with me.

Guess what? Ryan loves green. It’s his favorite color. Emily says it’s because Miller always says he loves the way Ryan’s eyes look when he wears green, but Ryan says that’s bullshit. He liked green long before he even met Miller. Still, the fact remains that he loves green.

I can use that.

Green. Thank you, Jesus.

Em also said Ryan looks almost happy whenever there’s live music playing. She said he loves it as long as it’s heavy on the strings and light on the drums. Too much bass causes his mood to plummet, and apparently, that’s not something I’d like to witness.

He also likes non-scratchy clothes, cheese—all kinds except blue—supporting local small businesses, books, bookstores, and libraries, being left alone, honey on the comb, slouchy beanies, and his nephew, Jamie.

Em says the entire reason the original wedding got canceled was because Ryan mentioned in passing that he thought Jamie would struggle with the long flight, and as a result, Miller canceled the whole thing.

I’m not sure all of this information will be helpful, but it’s still really good to know. It gives me a great idea of the kind of person I’m dealing with.

I’m so happy right now.

I can’t believe how much my mood has improved.

“Wyn!”

Ugh, correction. Iwasso happy.

I look up, trying to remember how to smile or look helpful. I think it has something to do with pulling your lips back and showing some teeth, so I go for that, but I don’t think it’s my best work.

“What can I do for you, Mr. MacAvoy?”

“Did the file say anything about my dry cleaning? I’m running out of shirts.”

Oh shit!

I totally forgot about that.

“I’m so sorry, Mr. MacAvoy! I’ll get someone on that at once.”

“No.”

No?

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