blue eyes

Chapter 4

Zoe:

"Do you really think I'm ready?"

Zoe looked into the scared brown eyes of Sam Chen and sighed. Today was their first meeting with Mr. Graham after Zoe shared their manuscript. They were sitting together outside of Mr. Graham's office. Sam was in full panic mode.

"My dear Sam," Zoe began, taking Sam's hands in hers. "You are a brilliant writer. Your manuscript is beautifully written and so professional. I would never lie to you. Nor would I push you into this process if I didn't know that you were ready."

"I-I think I believe you," Sam replied. "I mean, I know you and trust you, so I really should believe you. It's not you, it's me, you know?"

"I totally understand that struggle," Zoe smiled. "Hear me when I tell you that Mr. Graham understands this business and knows what will sell. He would be a fool to pass over your story and he is no fool."

"Has he read it yet? Did he say anything about it?"

"He asked me to set up a meeting with you the day after I gave him your manuscript," Zoe said, trying to imbue her words with peace to calm Sam's anxious spirit. "I have never seen him turn around a manuscript that quickly. He also doesn't ask for meetings with authors he doesn't plan to sign."

Sam nodded and sighed, straightening their already impeccable sweater and bow tie combo. Zoe noticed that their fingers weren't shaking as badly as they were when Sam first walked in.

"You look great, Sam, like always," Zoe said. "Take a deep breath for me. Good. Now let it out."

Sam deflated into a laugh. Zoe joined them, glad to see them relaxing a bit. Rachel's computer pinged.

"Mr. Graham will be right out," Rachel said with a smile.

Zoe watched Sam's body tense back up. She put a hand on their shoulder and squeezed. Sam locked eyes with her and took a shaky breath. Zoe smiled and nodded.

Mr. Graham opened his office door and took a step out. Zoe and Sam both stood up and turned to face him.

"Mr. Graham, this is Sam Chen," Zoe said, taking Sam's elbow gently and walking them closer. "Sam, this is Josh Graham, one of the most successful publishers in the business."

"Huh," Mr. Graham said, blinking a few times, then offering Sam a handshake. "I think I was expecting a woman."

"Sam is non-binary," Zoe explained. "And uses they/them pronouns."

Zoe shot a look at Sam, who was doing a great job looking brave and focused. When Sam met Zoe's eyes, Zoe gave them a wink. Sam returned it with a tiny smile.

"Oh, got it," Mr. Graham replied. "How did you two meet again?"

"Zoe found me on Instagram," Sam explained. "Somehow from my captions, she guessed correctly that I was working on a novel and badgered me into sharing it with her."

"Then we met in person at a book-signing," Zoe continued. "And the rest is history."

"Have you been editing this book on company time?"

"No, sir," Zoe confirmed. "I read it in one Saturday. And I haven't done any edits at all. The manuscript I sent you is exactly the one that Sam first showed me."

"I see," Mr. Graham looked at Sam intensely. "I'm looking forward to talking to you further, Sam. Shall we?"

Mr. Graham gestured into his office. Before Sam could hesitate, Zoe gave them half a hug and a gentle push.