“No, no, no,” Lenore said vehemently.
They were working in her office late Monday evening. They’d spent most of the day making up.
“Yes, yes, yes,” Michael Patrick said with a hint of humor.
“Amanda is not that fickle. She wouldn’t look to her agent for solace after a fight with Casper. Sure, she might talk to him as a brother-type friend with no benefits, but she wouldn’t fall into his arms.”
“Jake Bishop is attracted to her. He’s been pushing his feelings for her under every time they surface. But this is the first time he’s afraid of truly losing his chance with her forever.”
“Ugh, but she’s not attracted to Bishop that way. Not now, not ever,” she persisted.
“How about this then,” he waited until she focused on him. “Bishop kisses your Amanda, and Cass walks in, misunderstands what he sees—rightfully so, I might add—and walks out. He doesn’t see Amanda push Jake away and read him the riot act. Amanda doesn’t know that Cass saw the kiss.”
“I don’t like it, but in the spirit of compromise, okay.”
He laughed. “You have very strong feelings about all your characters?”
“I do. I’ve had characters that are fickle or wishy-washy in their hearts, but Amanda Loring is not one of those women.”
“I see.”
She looked into his dancing blue eyes and had to smile. “You’re making fun of me.”
“Not at all. I’m intrigued by how your mind works. How you embrace your craft and your characters’ plights.”
Lenore eyed him suspiciously.
“I mean it.”
“Hmmm.”
“And I do appreciate your willingness to compromise.”
“You’re surprised I did.”
“Yes and no. Yes, because you told me the first day here you might take over, and no, because you didn’t compromise your character’s traits, but rather her agent did.”
“Exactly, and if I were writing this book alone, Amanda would have sensed Jake’s attraction and nipped it soundly in the bud.”
“Would she now, lass?”
“You bet.”
“Interesting. How about this? Jake makes moves on your Amanda. She soundly rebuffs him, as you say. Jake then tells Cass that he’s an ass and if he doesn’t get his shit together he’s going to lose her.”
“It could work, and we could still do that, but I think your original idea works better. It gives more texture and physicality to the scene and conflict to the story.”
Pleased, he leaned over and kissed her. “That’s high praise coming from LaSandra Lacy.”
“Ms. Lacy’s life is not one given to compromise. Ms. Held’s, on the other hand—”
“Is one of compromise and adaptability,” he suggested.
“Yes, when you raise a child, you…” She saw a cloud cross his face. “I’m sorry, MP,” she said gently and reached for his hand.
“It’s all right, mo chuisle.” Raising their joined hands, he kissed hers. “Once in a while, the grief still hits me at odd times.”
She nodded her empathy. She could not possibly understand what it felt like to lose a child in the way MP had.
Clearing his throat, he asked, “So how long is Cass going to be angry with Amanda?”
“Don’t know. It’s a man thing. Your deal, Mr. Finnegan.”
“He’s pretty stubborn and insecure when it comes to Amanda.”
“Cass is a pain in the ass,” Lenore laughed. “Talk about high maintenance.”
“Will your lass walk away?”
“Maybe she should. She’s been fighting his walls and insecurities. She’s getting tired of it.”
“He’s not worth it?”
“Since we need an HEA, he has to be at some point, but I think I’ll let Cass come to her. Tell her that he wants her and that Jake Bishop can’t. Or maybe she walks in on Jake and Cass going at it over Bishop kissing her. Your call, MP. I’ll play off of whatever you’re willing to give me.”
“Will you, love?” He smiled and kissed her nose.
“I will, love.” She grinned and kissed his mouth.