“Do we have to tell him tonight?”
Kate frowned. “Listen, kiddo. If this really happens, we’ll be talking money and contracts. You’re a minor, and Ian’s your legal guardian.”
Jacob started playing with his napkin. “I know, but . . . you said it’s not official yet.”
Kate watched him shred his napkin into several pieces. “Can you tell me why you want to wait? Your uncle loves you—and he’s in television. He’ll be as excited about this as you are.”
Jacob looked up. “No, he won’t.”
“But—”
“He cancelled your show, didn’t he? He told me that’s why there won’t be new episodes of Life with Max.”
Was he mad at his uncle on her behalf? She hoped that wasn’t the case. Of course, she’d been mad at Ian herself when it had first happened. Furious, even. She always wanted quality and creativity to trump every other factor. But then, it was her job to be creative . . . and it was Ian’s job to consider all those other factors.
As much as she hadn’t wanted to admit it, a part of her had always understood Ian’s decision even as she’d disagreed with it. And she realized now that she’d long since forgiven him for the choices he had to make as an executive—especially since she’d gotten to know the man behind the suit.
“Yes, he cancelled Life with Max. But that was a business decision—and probably a good one. The show was popular with its core fans, and I was proud of the work my team did on it, but it wasn’t ever going to connect with a wide audience. There are places for niche shows like that, but not on a major network. Your uncle was just doing his job.”
Jacob didn’t look convinced. “It’s not only that. He doesn’t like any of the things I like. He doesn’t care about what I’m interested in.”
“He cares about you. And if you give him a chance, you might find out you have more in common than you think.”
When she saw him that night, she’d suggest to Ian that he tell his nephew about his Dungeons & Dragons phase. He could even teach him how to play.
Jacob shrugged. “I doubt it.”
“But—”
“It doesn’t matter. But about the show—you said there are still hurdles to cross, right? I don’t want to tell him and sound all excited and then have everything fall through. Can’t we wait until it really is official? Please?”
She wished Jacob trusted his uncle more, but that would only come with time. And it was true that the project could still fall through. She’d been in television long enough to know how real that possibility was. Could it hurt to wait until there was an actual offer on the table? That was the point at which Ian had to be involved.
She sighed. “All right. But the minute they start talking turkey, we’re telling your uncle. And I promise he’ll be as proud and thrilled as you are.”
Jacob looked relieved. “Thanks, Kate. So what should we do now?”
“Do you want to go to a comic-book store?”
“Yes!”
They had a wonderful afternoon, made even more wonderful for Kate by the knowledge that she’d be seeing Ian soon.
Every time she thought about him walking through the door, her heart beat faster.
Jacob had said his uncle was over his illness. If Ian really was recovered, and if she was still here after Jacob went to bed, wasn’t there a chance the two of them could do some old-fashioned fooling around?
Of course she wouldn’t stay the night, not with Jacob in the apartment. But she’d settle for a few long kisses. In fact, as she remembered the effect Ian’s kisses had on her, the thought of spending an hour on his terrace in a lip-lock made her knees weak.
She wouldn’t count on that, though. Even though Ian was well enough to go to work, he might still be feeling under the weather—and she’d already decided to let him set the pace as far as their relationship went.
But she couldn’t stop her excitement from building as afternoon turned to evening. Jacob had disappeared into his room, and she was curled up on the living room couch, trying to read a magazine without much success. Her thoughts kept drifting to Ian, and she found herself smiling into space as she relived their night together.
When her phone rang and she saw his name on the screen, her smile turned into a grin.
“Hey there,” she said.
“Hey.” There was a short pause, and then, “I’ve got a huge favor to ask you. If the answer’s no, that’s completely all right.”
Something about dinner, probably. “What’s the favor?”
“Is there any way you could stay a little later tonight?”