Tied to Trouble(28)

Marley whistled. “That’s a steep tax. What is that, like 50 percent?”

“I’m tired today.”

“Owen, just get your butt in here with my freaking soda.”

When he arrived in her office with a soda and bonus pack of chips in his hand, she forgave him. He waived the tax.

“So,” Marley said after taking a sip of her soda. “Good news! Grant will be here to entertain the Esher clients.”

He nearly melted into his chair with relief. Until Marley kept talking. “Bad news is that I won’t be here, so Grant wants you along.”

He worked on yoga breathing even though he’d only taken one class and nearly twisted his ankle doing the downward dog. He could do this. This was what he wanted, and now he was being asked to step up, by the owner of the magazine, no less. Get it together, Owen. “Oh, well, that’s an honor.”

Marley raised her eyebrows, like she didn’t trust his stiff, formal tone. “It won’t be all on your shoulders. Grant will take the lead, but he wants another employee there with him, and that’s you, my boy.”

Owen had the knowledge about the magazine and the industry in that gray matter in his skull. That was for sure. Whether he could convey that in a way that attracted an advertiser? He wasn’t so sure. He’d have to get his nerves under control and act like a professional.

His nerves must have shown, because Marley leaned forward, giving him her best pep-talk voice. “You’ve been here for eight years—you know the magazine. You’re like an encyclopedia of Gamers knowledge.”

He blew out a breath. “I don’t doubt what I know. I doubt my ability to impress strangers.”

Marley smiled. “Just take Grant’s lead, and it’ll be fine. Your main goal is to impress them. Grant’s is to keep them happy. But no matter who they’re talking to, their wish is your command, okay?”

Owen nodded.

“You look like you’re going to vomit.”

He waved a hand and deadpanned, “I just had some bad tuna.”

Marley snorted a laugh, and Owen joined her, his chest finally filling with air again. He could do this. He could use this opportunity to impress clients—and Grant.

Marley’s cell phone beeped, and she glanced at it with a frown.

“Everything okay?” Owen asked.

Marley shook her head distractedly. “Yeah, it’s just my brother.”

Retreat! He started to push up from his seat. “Oh, uh…”

“I don’t know what’s been with him lately. He usually texts me novels, but the last week or two, I have to practically beg him to text me back. When he does, it’s all one-word answers.”

Owen swallowed and sank back into his chair. “Have you called him?”

Marley waved a hand as she opened up her chip bag. “No, Chad is Chad. He’s probably off doing someone or something. It never lasts long. He’ll eventually show back up at my place to eat all my food and play with my cat.”

It never lasts long. Yeah, that was about right. Owen was just one of Chad’s flings. One in a long line. And man, that hurt, because to him, the time they’d spent together had been more real than he wanted to admit.

“Well, I’m sure you’ll see him soon.” Owen’s voice sounded hollow in his ears.

Marley didn’t notice, her gaze on her computer screen. “Yeah, I love him, but he’s something else.”

Owen stood up, his chest feeling hollow. “He must be.”

“I should introduce you two sometime,” Marley called as he made his way toward the door. “Chad can help you get your social life off the ground.”

He already had, damn it. Owen scowled. “I don’t need it off the ground.”

“Okay, so he’ll help you make a social life…exist.”

“Marley…”

She pursed her lips. “Okay, sorry, I’m meddling.”

“Yes.” And this conversation was making him sick to his stomach.

“Thanks for helping out Grant on this, Owen.”

“Sure.” And then he was out of there, back to the safety of his desk and articles about video games and his red pen.

…

Marley propped her feet on the seat beside her and leaned back on her stool.

Drying a glass, Chad smirked at her. His sister hardly ever stopped by Blue Moon, and certainly not during the day. “Getting comfortable?”

“This is my day off,” she said, sipping her iced coffee through a straw.

“You know we don’t allow outside beverages.”

“You’re not even open.”

“Good point, so why are you here?”

“I took a mental health day.”