Page 62 of Smoke and Fire
She lifted one curious eyebrow. A moment stretched between us while we studied each other. Her gaze encompassed me faster than I could for her because I was stuck on the fact that she was Bastian’s agent. This was the only other person that shared our secret. Her lovely expression and dark eyes made me, if I was honest, a tad jealous. He hadn’t mentioned how attractive she was.
I shook myself out of it.
What are you thinking?Inner Me cried.Don't be a jealous freak.
I know!I cried.I'm sorry.
The truth sent a thousand nervous knives into my stomach. I only felt threatened because of the growing depth of my crush on him. I forced myself to focus back on Pri.
“You are the one he texted me about, I assume?” Priyanka asked. “The one coordinating with influencers and the social media around the launch.”
“I’m responding to questions that come in the emails, particularly with influencers and readers, yes.Coordinatingwould be a generous term for it.”
“And you’re posting for Jess on social media. With GIFs and smiley faces.”
“Yes.”
“How has it been?”
I struggled to find the right word. Unlike Bastian, I had no skill in that world. “It’s been fine. Enlightening, I suppose you could say?”
“That seems for the best.”
The absolute neutrality of her tone stymied me. Obviously, she’d been checking on things. What did she think of it? Her expression didn’t give me a single clue. I deeplywanted her to like it.
“Yes.” I cleared my throat. “He . . . let’s just say he needed some help. I believe he cares about his readers but doesn’t know what to do with them.”
She blinked three times before her entire manner softened a bit.
“Yes,” she said with finality. “He does. You have done well. I wanted to meet you and see if you needed anything while he’s out on the fire. It can’t be easy trying to figure out what must surely be a mess while he’s constantly throwing himself into danger.”
A hint of a blush rose to my cheeks. While figuring out his business hadn’t been simple, it hadn't been arduous. Bastian had been more accessible than expected. Priyanka must still be under the belief that Bastian and I hadn’t had any communication.Iwasn’t going to tell her otherwise.
“It’s been fine," I said. "A few details to sort out while I read through the series, but it’s manageable.”
Her voice piqued. “You hadn’t read the series?”
“No.”
“Then how did he meet you?”
“I work at the coffee shop in Pineville. He met me there when he got off his last fire.”
The sharp look that filled her eyes told me everything I needed to know. She knewexactlyhow sketchy my hiring had been. I didn't blame her for her concern.
“Are you qualified for this work?” she asked.
I laughed. “Not at all.”
“Hmmm.”
My amusement died in the face of her lacking response.
“Well, a little,” I quickly said. “I did secretarial work before this job, then promoted to manager of a store, and I love social media. But do I do this specific thing for a living? Not before Bastian.”
She looked off the screen to something—or someone—then nodded and turned back to me. Assessment had returned to her gaze. I forced myself to hold it because, deep down, I could admit that I wanted Priyanka to like me. Why it mattered, I couldn’t fathom.
At the least, I appreciated that she must be one of the only people he consistently spoke to. Business relationship or not, she had insight into Bastian and he respected her.
