Change Of Plans (New Adult BBW Romance) Read Online Free Page A

Callie, I don’t need you to
help me get this book to market. My agent might not be a literary agent, but I
have no doubt he’ll be able to get this book in front of the right editors just
the same. I’m coming to you because I want to give you the opportunity to be a
part of this new career of mine, where I never even considered giving you a
chance to be part of the career I had before.”
    “How magnanimous of you,” Callie sneered,
but she couldn’t deny that Brendan’s logic made a hell of a lot of sense.
Clearly he’d done his market research, just as any real aspiring author should.
She wouldn’t admit that to him out loud though – she did have some pride
after all. “But I don’t need your hand outs, Brendan. I’m a damned good agent
on my own, and I’ve never needed you, just like you clearly have never needed
me, even now.”
    Something flashed in Brendan’s eyes
again, and Callie wondered if it was actually hurt she was seeing in his
expression. Doesn’t matter. “Do you know why this book is so fucking good, Callie?”
    “Because you’ve somehow figured out how
to put sexual chemistry into words?” she answered sarcastically.
    “No.” He placed his hand over hers on the
table, stroking the pad of his thumb gently over the back of her hand. She
froze, her breath catching in her throat once again. “It’s because it’s the
story of us.”
    What? “No,” she said, shaking her head.
“That’s not right. We were never like that when we were together.” If they had
been, it was likely they would have stayed together.
    “No, but we should have been.” Brendan
stood up, tossing his linen napkin on the table as well as a couple of bills
for the waiter. “I’ll give you some space to think on it, so please contact me
when you’ve made a decision. Enjoy your meal.”
    He left her there, gaping after him, the
contract and both of their meals still sitting on the table, untouched.

 
    Chapter
Five
     
     “Mmm. This has got to be the best
steak and ribs I’ve ever had, even reheated.” Lucinda cut another piece off the
flatiron steak on her plate, then placed it in her mouth. “Mmm.”
    “Well, I’m glad someone’s enjoying it,” Callie
said, poking at her own dish. They were seated at the dining table in Callie’s
apartment, eating the food that Brendan had paid for back at the Daniel. She
hadn’t wanted to sit alone at the table and eat the fine food that Brendan had
so generously purchased, so she’d taken it to go back to the office, where
she’d been too distraught to eat.
    Lucinda, sensing her mood, had offered to
take her out for a drink afterward, but Callie had instead invited her for
dinner, not feeling up to going out. For all she knew, she might run into
Brendan again, and that was the last thing she wanted. Home was the safest
place for her right now.
    “Girl, if you’re not gonna eat that, I’ll
help myself,” Lucinda said pointedly, eyeing Callie’s plate. The woman was
bird-boned, but she ate like a horse, and Callie had no doubt her friend would
finish both plates.
    “Thanks, but I’m good.” Callie sighed,
then took another bite. The pork was melt-in-your-mouth delicious, but she
couldn’t seem to fully enjoy it now that it was associated with Brendan. “I am
really glad you’re enjoying your food. At least that means the lunch meeting
wasn’t a total waste.”
    “So you really didn’t sign him?” Lucinda
frowned. “I have to say I’m a little confused as to why. You were crazy about
his book, Callie. I thought you were coming back with a signed contract for
sure.”
    Callie shook her head. “It’s a bit more
complicated than that.” She hadn’t told Lucinda anything about the meeting when
she’d come back; she’d been fuming, steam practically coming out of her ears,
and her assistant had taken one look and wisely kept her distance for the first
couple of hours.
    “Yeah, seems that way.” Lucinda swallowed
her last bite of steak.