Page 77 of The Hook Up
Anna stood up, beaming, then bent to kiss him on the forehead. “Thanks again, Ty. For everything.”
“My pleasure. Want me to send you a link for the video and the photos?”
“That would be great. Actually, will you copy Martin, too? Let me give you his address.”
Anna reached across him to grab a sticky-note pad then bent low to scrawl the email. Ty tried to scoot back but hit the corner of his desk, so he was stuck with his sister leaning awkwardly over his lap.
Naturally, that’s when Miriam walked in. She froze in the doorway, eyes wide with surprise. As she started to back up, Ty held up a hand.
“Miriam, this is my sister, Anna,” he said. “Anna, this is the boss lady, Miriam. She owns the company.”
“Oh!” Anna stood up and hurried across the room, hand extended in greeting. “It’s so great to finally meet you. I’ve heard so much about you.”
“Likewise,” Miriam said, even though Ty was pretty sure he’d never said Anna’s name to her. Being tight-lipped about his family had its downsides. “It’s a pleasure to meet you. Sorry, I didn’t mean to interrupt. I can come back another time.”
“No, it’s fine,” Anna said. “I was just leaving. Great meeting you!”
She stooped down to give Ty one last hug then scurried out of the room. Miriam watched her go then turned back to face Ty. “I hope I didn’t chase her off.”
“Nah, she really was leaving. She just stopped by to see the engagement video I made for her.”
“I’d love to see it sometime,” Miriam said, easing onto the barstool Anna had just vacated. “But first, I have some good news.”
Relief sloshed in Ty’s veins. Miriam had been nothing but professional since his split with Ellie, but he’d sensed a prickliness just the same. It wasn’t anger or wrath or anything like that. Just a hint of disappointment mixed with the occasional look that said,man, you messed up.
Or maybe Ty was projecting. “What’s the news?” he asked.
“I had lunch today with the marketing director for Great Wolf Lodge.”
“Oh yeah?” Ty gestured at his phone. “I had a voicemail from him an hour ago, but it was too late to call him back by the time I got it.”
“He was calling to tell you that you won the RFP,” she said. “We got the job!”
She held up her hand for a high-five, and Ty gave her palm an obedient slap. The gesture reminded him of his last high-five with Henry and the fact that he hadn’t seen the kid for over a week.
It made him a lot sadder than he thought it would.
“That’s great,” Ty said. “Congratulations!”
“Why the hell are you congratulating me? You’re the one who landed the job. This is your first big win since we launched Speak Up.”
“You’re right,” Ty said, annoyed to realize he felt hollow. It was his video with Henry and Ellie that had clinched the deal, and he knew it.
“He loved your video,” Miriam said, reading his mind. “He kept talking about how it wasn’t just a bunch of pretty images. That you showed a connection to the subject. That you brought the viewer into that connection and made it real.”
A hot ball of lead wedged itself in Ty’s throat, making it hard for him to breathe. He tried anyway, taking a few gulps of air and hoping Miriam didn’t notice.
No such luck. She stared at him a moment then folded her hands over her bulging baby belly. “Do you mind if I speak frankly for a second?”
“Go right ahead.” Like she’d ever needed permission.
Miriam took a deep breath. “What in fucking hell is wrong with you?”
Ty flinched, feeling his throat pinch around the lead ball. “What do you mean?”
“Spare me, Ty. We’ve worked together for more than six years. Let’s be honest.”
“Okay.” He folded his hands on his desk and tried to look professional. “I care about Ellie and Henry a lot. I want what’s best for them, and you do, too.”
