Luke starts to shake his head, but I reply before he can.
“It states in my contract that I’m the co-writer of this screenplay,” I say. “And that I have the final say.”
Luke spreads his hands. “She’s right. You’re co-writers here, Shawn. I don’t remember saying differently.”
Shawn pinches the bridge of his nose.
“Now,” Luke continues, “I have a meeting to get to. I have children at home that I referee on the daily, so I won’t be doing it here at work. You’re both professionals, brilliant at what you do, and I know the script will be excellent when you’re finished with it. I’ll expect it in one month.”
With that, he walks out of the room, leaving Shawn and I glaring at each other.
“I can’t believe you deleted all of that work without even giving it a glance.”
“I can’t believe you wrote five scenes without even speaking to me about them.”
He sighs and drags his hand down his face. “Okay. Let’s start over.”
“Excellent idea.” I reach across the table, offering Shawn my hand. “I’m Lexi.”
“Shawn,” he says, shaking my proffered palm. “Pleasure to meet you. Your book is excellent, by the way.”
I smile, and for the first time since I met him, I don’t want to strangle Shawn O’Callaghan. “Thank you.”
“Now, let’s get to work and make it into a movie, shall we?”
“Let’s.”
“You have to get me out of this.” I’m sitting on the bed in the bedroom of my rental, scowling at my agent, Martha, over FaceTime. “Today. Right now. Pull the plug, Martha. I’m not doing it.”
“What in the hell happened? It’s been one day.”
“Shawn O’Callaghan is a control freak and an egotistical jerk. He’s decided he’s in charge of everything, and he’s trying to change my story. I was hesitant in the beginning, but now I want nothing at all to do with this. Get me out of it.”
“That’s not possible,” she replies. “That contract is ironclad. You can give up your co-writing rights and go home, but they’ll still make the movie without you. If you leave, you have no creative control at all.”
I lean my head back in frustration. “The working conditions are so sterile. White and industrial. No pillows or cushions, no soft colors.”
“You can’t expect it to look like your office,” she says with a laugh.
“Of course, not. I know I’m being silly, Martha. I’m just so uncomfortable. I’d rather be holed up at home, writing something new.”
“Then why did you push for the creative control in the contract?”
“Because this is my story, and I want to make sure they stay true to it. I want it to become a movie that I’m proud of.”
“Luke Williams doesn’t produce duds, Lex,” she says with a laugh. “It’s only the first day. Take a deep breath, eat some chocolate, and get some sleep. Give it a chance. Maybe you and Shawn will hit your stride.”
“Or I’ll just hit him,” I mumble. “He’s so hot. It’s a waste.”
She barks out a laugh. “Stop complaining and go enjoy the personal chef and the hot coworker,” she advises. “And if it becomes unbearable, go home. Leave it to Luke.”
“I’m not quitting,” I admit with a long sigh.
“I know you’re a bit agoraphobic. And shy, as well,” she says with a gentle voice. “If it makes you feel more comfortable, take some pillows with you. Ask for a different chair. Do whatever you have to do to be comfortable.”
I nod, thinking it over. “I could probably order a few throw blankets from Amazon and have them delivered tomorrow.”
“Absolutely. You’re a creature of habit, and you work better and more efficiently when you have a routine. Get cozy. Kick ass. Then get the hell out of Seattle.”
I smile at my friend. “I’m lucky to have you, Martha.”
“Hell yes, you are. Now, go get ‘em, tiger. I’ll talk to you soon.”
She hangs up, and I immediately open my laptop and start shopping on Amazon. I’m going to make that conference room as cozy and comfortable as I can.
“What is all of this?” Shawn asks the next afternoon as he returns with a tray of sushi for lunch. My deliveries arrived just after he left.
“I need some things to work.” I pull out the first blanket and sigh in pleasure. It’s teal blue and soft as can be. Next comes a plush, yellow pillow.
“You bought bedding for in here?” He takes a bite of a California roll and watches me with interest.
Today hasn’t been quite as bad as yesterday, although we haven’t agreed on much—we’ve just been less volatile about it.
“I need texture, color, and softness,” I explain as I pull a package of my favorite pens out of the box. “I need to feel comfortable, or I’ll continue to be short and moody.”
“By all means, order all of the bedding you need,” he says. “Hell, I’ll buy it for you if it helps.”
I can’t help but let out a little laugh.
“You’re gorgeous when you smile.”
I glance his way. He’s stopped eating his lunch. Instead, he’s watching me.
“Thanks.”
“You don’t smile often,” he continues.
“Honestly, there hasn’t been much reason to smile.”
He takes a bite of his lunch. “Sorry I was late again today.”
Forty minutes this time, but who’s counting?
“I think I might have to get a rental flat here in the city. The commute is awful.”
I simply nod as I drape my new teal blanket over the back of the chair I’ve been using.
“What else did you buy?”
“Nothing yet. I wanted to see how this worked first. I’m glad we’re able to frost these windows so they can’t watch us all day.”
“Not much of a people person, are you?”
“Not at all. I want quiet and privacy. I need to think.”
“I agree,” he says, surprising me.
“You do?”
“Absolutely. I don’t know how any of them get anything done.”
“They’re young,” I suggest. “Like you.”
“You’re not much older than me.”
I smile again, and Shawn’s green eyes narrow on me. “Thank you for that, but I’m thirty-six, Shawn. You haven’t even reached thirty yet. How is it possible, by the way, that you’ve already done such wonderful things in your career at such a young age?”
“I’m a stubborn goat,” he says with a proud grin. “At least, that’s what Ma tells me.”
“If the past twenty-four hours are any indication, I’m inclined to agree with her.”
He laughs and finishes his sushi, then opens an energy drink and takes a sip. “We should get back to this scene.”
“And we were being so civil,” I murmur. “Back to battle for us.”
“It doesn’t have to be.”