Page 20 of Between the Lines

“All right,” Cece said. “Keep breathing”

“I’m trying.”

“Start at the beginning. What exactly did the email say?”

Blaise pulled the email back up and read it aloud, forcing herself to slow down. When she finished, there was a moment of silence on the line.

Then Cece said, “That all sounds pretty standard.”

“Standard?” Blaise repeated.

“In a good way,” Cece said. “They’re showing interest. Real interest. They don’t schedule calls for no reason.”

Blaise let out a breath of relief. Calling Cece had been the right move. “Okay. I was really hoping I wasn’t making more of this than it was.”

“You’re not,” Cece said.

“So they said they have questions,” Blaise said. “What kind of questions do you think they want to ask?”

“I’d guess the kind that mean they’re trying to plan how they could position the book in their catalog,” Cece said. “They’ll want to know your intentions for the book. How personal it’s going to be. How deep you’re willing to go when it comes to talking about your past. If you’re going to name-drop. That sort of thing.”

Blaise looked down at the manuscript on her screen. The chapter she’d left hanging stared back at her.

“I can talk about it,” she said. “I think. As for name-dropping, I don’t know yet. There will be some, for sure, because there are names associated with some of my stories. But as for how deep… I’m not trying to write some scandalous exposé.”

Cece hummed softly. “Listen, you don’t have to perform for them. You just have to be honest about the story, why it matters to you, that kind of thing. And about what you’re not going to compromise on.”

“What if I say the wrong thing?” Blaise asked.

“I can’t imagine that happening,” Cece said. “But even if you do, that tells you something important about whether or not they’re the right fit.”

“Good point.” Blaise shifted in her chair. “I guess this will be sort of a litmus test for both of us. Me and the publisher, I mean.”

“Yep, very true.”

“Then I need to agree to the call.” Blaise sighed. “I feel like I should have an agent present.”

“I think you’ll be okay without one. Just don’t agree to anything. And,” Cece added. “Before you talk to them, write down what you want from this and keep that in front of you when you talk to them. It’ll help you focus.”

Blaise nodded, even though Cece couldn’t see her. “That’s smart. Okay.”

“And Blaise?” Cece added.

“Yes?”

“This might not be a yes yet, but you’re still allowed to enjoy it. It’s progress, no matter what the outcome.”

“You’re right.” Blaise smiled, her throat tight. “Thank you.”

“If you need anything else or want me with you during the call, all you have to do is ask,” Cece said.

“The same goes for you. You want someone with you the next time you have a test or a procedure, I’m there.”

“Thanks,” Cece said.

Blaise thought she heard a small catch in Cece’s voice but didn’t mention it. They hung up, and Blaise looked at the email one more time, then typed a short, to the point reply. She didn’t do anything more to sell herself. She said she’d be happy to talk and listed her availability.

She hit Send and sat back.