Page 48 of Lessons in Forgiving
And I thought, leaning against the opposite wall,I’m not quite sure myself.“The closed door, I mean,” he added.
“Oh.” Of course he didn’t mean his own presence. “Most definitely bad,” I offered plainly. “Makes it worse that I don’t know what it’s about. You?”
“No idea.”
My mind raced through possible scenarios that required Henry and me and Eddie’s closed office door.
I tried to remember whether I hadn’t delivered on a deadline or sent my editor a wrong document—perhaps forgot to delete an inappropriate comment from one of the earlier transcripts he’d only now found.
Which made me remember Riley’s joke in the office last week, and Alfie’s conspiracy that Lacy picked up gossip from every corner of it.
I wouldn’t be surprised if I’d find her on the other side of that door with him. Waiting to snitch me out for something I hadn’t done.
“If he asks if we hooked up, just deny it. Don’t ask any questions.” And I was unable to keep my spirits from deflating at the prospect.
Henry’s brows shot up, intrigue and confusion in the gesture. “Wouldn’t that be the truth?” His head tilted. “Did I miss something I shouldn’t have?”
I sighed at the way he tried to hide his smile from across the hall. “Right. Of course.” I shook my head, hoping to snap out of the gloom my suspicion had put me in. “No, didn’t miss anything.”
Henry huffed. “A shame.” And got interrupted before I’d even really processed his words.
I hadn’t expected a smile on Edward Smith’s face when he finally opened the door. “Paula, Henry,” he said. “Thanks for coming in on such short notice.”
He gestured into his office, and Henry and I exchanged a single glance before following him inside.
His words made me try to imagine how getting Henry here on such short notice must’ve gone for him. Eddie’s flushed cheeks. Henry trying to explain he had to eat dinner at the exact time his schedule gave, or he would combust.
It seemed I’d been about to get my answer when Henry began, “I won’t have much time. This really was quite last—” But he cut himself off when his eyes fell on a fourth person in the room. I only noticed them when he did.
Not Lacy.
A middle-aged man,late thirties, maybe?Skin dark and head bald. He stood next to Eddie’s desk, hand extended for me to shake first before diverting his attention to Henry. Who did not appreciate whatever kind of surprise this was.
“Pressley,” the man greeted him. “Good to see you again, son. We haven’t heard from you in a while.” The casual hug, paired with a pat on the back suggested they weren’t strangers.
At my confused look, Eddie just gestured me toward one of the two chairs on the other side of his desk.
“Marty.” Henry’s brows drew together. “I didn’t know you were in town.” His shoulders sagged as he relaxed slightly, but the edge in his voice lingered. “What’s up?”
“Sit,” he offered, tone warm and comforting. Hesitantly, Henry did.
“First of all.”Martybegan. “It’s so nice to meet you, Miss Castillo. I cannot tell you how much I loved your article inThe New York Timesa few years ago.”
It was only one year and four months ago, to be exact. Accurately speaking, not an article either, but a guest essay.
When my career had seemed to be on the ever-up of a rollercoaster. Only that I’d forgotten there were no ever-up rollercoasters, and the cart would have to come back down eventually. Mine plummeted into a hole below, where I was sitting now.
This profile was the first light I’d seen from the bottom in months.
“You will do wonders with this profile, I’m sure. Plus, the Blue Eagles could use some more buzz around their players. It’s perfect timing.”
It wasn’t often I remembered I’m actually good at what I was doing. This had probably been the first reminder in months, close to a year. I smiled so widely my cheeks hurt. But I couldn’t help it. “Thank you so much,” I said, and I meant it.
Marty settled against his chair with a warm smile that somehow portrayed superiority and authority at the same time. “Which is why your editor and I think it would be a great idea for you to join Pressley when he flies down.”
Henry tensed beside me.
“What?” His tone was a little too insulted for my liking.
