Page 36 of Their After Hours Playbook

“I’d like to go ahead and make the rounds in the office. There are so many people I want to see and talk to.” Tom slowly got up from the couch.

“You got it?”

“I do. I need to do these things on my own. I’m getting stronger every day.”

It took everything in Zach not to help Tom, but he’d been told by his mom to only lend a hand when Tom was struggling so badly that he might fall. “You are. You definitely are.”

Tom started for the door and Zach trailed behind. “I’ll see you soon, okay? I’m sure your mom would love to have you out for dinner again soon.”

“Yeah. Sure. I’ll give her a call and set something up.” Zach opened the door and followed Tom out to Teri’s work area. To Zach’s surprise, Derek was standing there. An even bigger surprise was the odd look on Teri’s face. It was like something was wrong.

Derek stepped forward and held out his hand for Tom. “Mr. Armstrong, I’m such a big fan. I’m Derek James, one of the newer agents here. I really wanted the chance to meet you.”

Tom shook Derek’s hand. “Zach tells me you’re a real go-getter.”

Derek grinned. “I’m working on it. For sure.”

Tom clapped Derek on the shoulder. “Good man. Just keep working hard and you’ll find your place.”

“I will, sir.”

Tom turned to Zach and gave him a hug. “Great job, again. I’m sure I’ll speak to you soon.”

“Thanks.” Zach watched Tom as he started down the hall, then turned to Teri. “Everything okay?”

“There’s a call on hold for you,” she said.

“Is it important?”

“Sounds like it.” Teri glanced at Derek. “Can you excuse us, Derek?”

“Oh. Yeah. Of course.” Derek turned on his heel and disappeared in the direction Tom had gone.

Teri stepped closer to Zach. “I didn’t want Derek to overhear. She made me promise to be discreet.”

“Who? Paige?”

Teri pursed her lips together tightly and shook her head. “Alexis Simmons,” she whispered.

Zach felt the blood drain from his face, even when he had no idea why Alexis might be calling him. For a moment, he considered asking Teri to tell Alexis that he couldn’t even speak to her. Agents only spoke to other agents’ clients when there was trouble afoot. Then again, as far as Zach knew, Alexis and Paige were doing great. Perhaps the secretiveness was for a good reason. “Put her through.”

“Okay. Two secs.”

Teri hustled back to her desk while Zach returned to his office and closed the door behind him. A moment later, his office line rang.

“Alexis. How are you?” Zach answered.

“Good. How about you?”

“Also good. What can I help you with today?”

“I need to ask you a question. Or maybe it’s a couple of questions. But you have to promise me that you won’t say anything to Paige.”

“Not sure I can promise you that. It depends what you’re going to ask. Paige and I are close. I’m not sure if you’re aware of that.”

“I knew you guys were friends. But I figured all agents secretly hate each other.”

“That’s not the case with Paige and me.” Not even close.

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