Page 109 of Just One Silver Fox

“Why?”

“Oh, Nate, you’re so protective of people. It’s not a bad thing. I want to offer her a book deal.”

“Excuse me?”

“Have you been on the internet this week? Have you looked at social media and what’s trending? This Sonia has come out of nowhere and is gobbling up market share and visibility. She’s an influencer well on her way to being a star and it’s only the first week of her podcast. I want her life story and I’m willing to pay for it now.”

“Before everyone else decides they want it, so you can get it cheaper.”

His sister was stern. “It’s not worth as much now as it will be in three months.”

“Or when you publish it.”

“That’s just how the world works, Nate.”

“Is it a good deal?”

“It’s very generous.”

Nate smiled, wondering whether Sonia would think it was as generous as Diane did. “Maybe you should make it more so, if you want her life story.”

“Maybe I don’t know what I’m getting into yet. She might need a ghost writer or a heavy edit.”

“She might not.”

“So suddenly you’re her book agent,” Diane said tartly. “You must know her. You mustlikeher.”

Nate didn’t rise to the bait. “I like everyone I worked with at F5F. They had a good team.”

Diane snorted. “If you had a way to reach Sonia, would you tell me?”

“No,” Nate replied. “But I could tell her your number and ask her to contact you if she’s interested in a book deal. She might not be. She’s a pretty private person.”

His sister exhaled. “You do know her and like her. All right, tough guy, I’ll take you up on that.”

“It’s a sign of desperation,” he said and she sighed.

“Got it in one. Can you do it soon?”

“I’ll talk to her tonight,” he said, glad to have an excuse to call.

“Don’t hang up on me yet,” Diane said. “We still have to talk about Mom.”

“What about Mom?”

“She’s determined to have the Fourth of July party this year, but I think it’s a bad idea. Jed and Bella think it’s a bad idea, too, but you know how stubborn Mom can be.”

“At least you came by it honestly,” he teased and Diane laughed.

“Seriously. I know she’s been vaccinated but she could still be vulnerable. Our cousins’ kids aren’t vaccinated and some of them might not be either. Even if we’re outside at Jed’s, everyone will be using the washroom and we’ll be sharing food.” Diane made an exasperated noise. “The last thing I want is for us to inadvertently host a super-sharer event.”

Nate nodded agreement. “But she wants to meet Andrew.”

“I know. And I want him to meet her. So, I’m throwing myself at your high-tech mercy. Can you set this up to be a virtual event somehow?”

“Mom doesn’t have a computer.”

“I’ll send her an iPad. Whatever works. I just can’t walk her through the set-up because I don’t get it either. That’s why we have Tech Support.”

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