Page 74 of Septembers

“Wh-what?” The information processed slowly. She negotiated a job for him? As an agent? With North Talent? “And they said yes to that?”

She nodded.

His head started shaking before his mind could figure out why. “I didn’t earn it.”

“Bullshit you didn’t earn it.” She sounded legitimately angry. “You’ve been putting in the work for my career from the day we met. So what if you didn’t start at that agency as an admin assistant⁠—”

“Assistant to the admin assistant.”

“Jesus, Theo.” She pulled his own move on him, squeezing both his hands. “I can’t do this without you, so either you’re my agent or this doesn’t happen.”

She needed him. Didn’t she? No one knew her better than he did. No one could bring out the best in her like he could.

“Besides,” she said, her tone implying she knew she’d already won, “it’s not like you’ll be running the place. They said you could start as a junior agent on a trial basis, and that you’ll be shadowing the veterans. My main agent will be… Hold on.” She pulled a piece of scribbled-on scrap paper from her pocket and gave it to him.

He couldn’t catch his breath. “Hannah… fucking… Gardiner?”

“Is that good or bad?”

“It’s so wildly good the human brain can’t fathom the implications.” He handed back the paper like it was precious, delicate porcelain. “She reps almost every artist on your Watch The Rain and Feel playlist. The Illegitimate Children, Janelle Brandi, The Core Four…”

She gasped. “I love them.”

“I know, Jordan. Everyone does. Because of Hannah Gardiner.”

He could tell his excitement was infecting her. She cradled the paper in both hands and did a sort of wiggle-dance, making the plastic chair wobble.

“So, we’re doing this?”

“We’re doing this.”

“I should call her, right?”

“You haven’t called her?”

“I had to check with you first!” She was all sparkling laughter and endless potential. “What do I do now?”

“Get your fucking phone, Jordan!”

SEVENTH SEPTEMBER

Dots

ONE WEEK

6 days 13 hrs 17 mins

16 mins

15 min

14 minutes

dae!

be as excited as i am!

Dae