blue eyes

Chapter 5

Zoe:

The meetings were a wild success. Zoe's playful words from the day before ended up being rather prophetic. The agents did indeed come to metaphorical blows over working with Sam.

"Good grief," Sam sighed, flopping into the cozy reading chair in Zoe's office. "That was even crazier than you said it would be."

"I knew they'd all love you," Zoe smiled back. "Now you just have to make a choice."

"They're all great! How am I ever supposed to pick?"

Zoe watched as Sam put their head back onto the chair and groaned at the ceiling. A few seconds later, a smile crept onto Sam's face.

"I see that smile," Zoe teased.

"I just can't believe it's actually happening," Sam whispered, bringing their eyes back down to Zoe. "I knew you were an editor when we met, but I had no idea that you actually had the power to make my dreams come true."

"Don't get carried away," Zoe huffed. "You are making your dreams come true. I'm just connecting the dots."

"Who do you think I should pick?"

"This isn't my decision, Sam," Zoe replied. "You know that. This relationship has to feel right to you."

"But you have an idea," Sam shot back. "Who's your horse in this race?"

Zoe shook her head. Of course, she knew exactly who she wanted Sam to pick. But truly, any of the four would be an incredible agent. She looked at Sam, who was frowning at Zoe's overflowing bookshelf.

"Esther," Sam whispered. "It has to be Esther."

Zoe smiled brightly.

"Did I get it right?!"

"Any of the four would have been a winning choice," Zoe laughed. "But Esther was my first choice. And Mr. Graham's, actually."

"Really?"

"Really."

"Wow," Sam breathed. "Can we call them now?"

"Absolutely," Zoe said, pulling out her phone. "I'm sure they're still up, waiting for an answer."

Zoe scrolled to Esther's contact and hit call. Two seconds later, Esther's face filled the screen.

"OH MY GOD," Esther screamed. "IS IT ME?! DO I GET SAM?!"

"I'll let them tell you," Zoe laughed, passing off her phone.

"Hi Esther," Sam smiled. "Will you please be my agent?"

Esther started screaming again. Sam looked up from the phone, a huge smile on their face, then turned the phone so Zoe could see. Esther was running around a living room, screaming and dancing and jumping for joy.

"Esther," Zoe called, pulling up a chair next to Sam. "ESTHER!"

"Sorry, hi," Esther replied breathlessly. "I'm here. I'm just SO EXCITED."

"Really? Huh, we couldn't tell," Zoe smirked.

"Oh Sam," Esther gasped. "Your book changed me. You have a gift with words. Your characters immediately felt like family. I love you already. I'm beyond honored to get to walk alongside you."

"Thank you, Esther," Sam replied. "I felt like I knew you the moment we started talking. I can't wait to meet you in person."

"I'll be back in town Friday morning," Esther said, pulling out their overflowing paper planner. "Let's do dinner that night, all three of us. You in, Zoe?"