Page 39 of Take My Name
She pinches her thumb and forefinger together, leaving a tiny space between them. “Just a little.”
I smirk. “I’ll take it. Are you hungry?”
“Depends. You gonna make me eat something weird like raccoon or skunk and then not tell me until after?”
I smack my palm to my heart. “You know me so well after seven years apart.”
She rolls her eyes, and I snicker at her inability not to grin when she does it.
Opening the passenger side door, I help her inside and then rush around to my side.
“Since I don’t have to work tomorrow, I was thinkin’ we could drive out to Marley’s Barrel House.”
Her whole face lights up. “Oh wow, I haven’t been there in ages.”
It’s an hour’s drive, but they have the best smoked barbeque and live music on Saturday nights.
“You wanna go?” I double-check before starting the engine.
“Sure, I’m hungry.”
I let her pick the music and try to think of something safe to talk about on the way.
“So tell me about your job. I dunno what you do now.”
I assume she stayed in publishing, but I never knew for sure.
“I’m a literary agent. Started my own agency last year.”
“What’s that exactly?”
She explains it to me like I’m five, which I appreciate, and I learn she represents authors so they can sell their manuscripts to publishers. She continues to talk about the specifics and what her day-to-day is like.
“Whaddya love most about being an agent?” I ask, glancing over as she grins.
“So many things, honestly. I love that I get to find rare gems of brilliant writers and help make their dreams come true. I love findin’ books I would’ve never picked up otherwise. I love readin’ pitches and gettin’ excited for fresh material. I love hearin’ my authors cry tears of joy when I tell ’em their book got a deal, soldto auction, or made a bestseller list. I love hearin’ their stories about how becomin’ an author changed their lives because they were stuck at meaningless jobs until they could focus on their writin’ dreams.”
She beams with each word she says, and it’s hard not to smile as she speaks.
“I also love networkin’ with other agents and learnin’ about their process and which authors they’ve signed. The community as a whole…it’s big but small at the same time. I love bringin’ new stories into the world and seein’ readers’ reactions to cliffhangers and plot twists. It energizes me to get up and work each day. It’s never boring or gets old. It brings me joy in a way nothin’ else ever did.”
I’m stunned by her honesty and feel a wave of relief that her job makes her this happy. It would’ve been worse had she left her life behind and hated it. At the very least, she did what she set out to do and it wasn’t for nothing because she got her dream career.
“Wow, Maze. That’s…incredible. I’m so glad you got what you wanted. Sounds like you get to do somethin’ really special for others, too.”
“I do. So many people strive to work in publishin’ compared to those who actually get to, even less when it’s this level of work, so it’s a blessin’ I was able to start so early and branch out on my own.”
“You must work long hours then, huh?”
“Yeah, usually. I’m kinda obsessed with keepin’ up with the industry and makin’ sure I reply to emails in a timely manner. Readin’ through manuscripts takes me the longest. I tend to work until my stomach growls and I realize I haven’t eaten all day.”
“Maze…that’s not healthy.”
“I know, but I love makin’ goals and being able to check ’em off my list when I finally hit ’em. Makes it worth it. When I sold my first film rights for a debut author, I celebrated so hard, I had to take off the next day.” She laughs. “And then to hear about the progress of a movie being made was also fun. Bringin’ art to life…it’s not somethin’ everyone gets to experience or be a part of, so I try not to take it for granted.”
I can’t help asking, so I do. “What does your fiancé think about you workin’ so much?”
When I briefly glance over, she visibly stiffens, and I worry she’ll tell me that’s another topic off-limits.
