Derian grinned. “You might think of it that
way.”
Henrietta leaned back against the pillows,
looking tired, but satisfied. “If I’d known I’d have to have a heart attack to
get you into the office, I might have contemplated it previously.”
Derian leaned over and kissed her. “I’m
sorry. If I’d known you needed me, I would’ve come.”
Henrietta stroked her cheek. “I know that,
and you did come. I’ve always known that too.”
“It’s good to be here.” She never thought
she’d say that, but then she never thought she’d want a lot of things she
suddenly found she couldn’t stop thinking about. “I should let you get some
sleep.”
“Don’t forget you have the National Book
Awards coming up,” Henrietta said.
Derian winced. “Yeah. I saw that on the
schedule. I don’t suppose—”
“Emily will need company—it’s always easier
to network that way.”
“Oh.” Derian thought for a second she saw an
amused glint in HW’s eye, but then it was gone. Any excuse for a night out with
Emily was fine with her, even a stuffy awards ceremony. “Right. I’m looking
forward to it.”
“I’m sure.” Henrietta laughed. “I can’t wait
to hear all about it.”
Chapter Twenty-three
Emily was dressed and ready to go way too early. To
keep from checking her makeup for the tenth time or looking in the mirror again
to be sure her dress fell just right and not too low between her breasts, she
went to the window to watch for Derian. She couldn’t pretend she didn’t feel
like a high school girl waiting for her prom date, even though she’d never
actually gone to the prom. She’d missed those things after the accident.
Refusing to allow the past to intrude on a night she’d been anticipating for
weeks, she let those memories drift back to where they belonged.
She was dressed to the nines and going out to
a gala with a handsome woman, and she intended to enjoy every minute of the
evening, even if she was the only one who thought of it like it was a date.
Derian undoubtedly thought of the National Book Awards as a necessary evil of
her temporary job, but she’d agreed to attend with the same willingness she’d
tackled all the other new responsibilities at Winfield’s. She’d settled in
remarkably well at the agency, and despite not having any formal training in
literature, she had an innate appreciation for what worked and what didn’t.
Derian seemed to enjoy their business discussions as much as Emily and had a
natural affinity for the production side of the business, being exceptionally
good with numbers. Emily laughed to herself. No surprise there.