“Maybe youre supposed to write it,”Zoe suggested. “Like a story, I mean. The way Malory painted hers.”
“Thats not bad.” Dana considered. “The thing is, I never wanted to write, not like Malory wanted to paint. But maybe its something Im supposed to read, and God knows Im not hitting on anything in the six million books Ive gone through so far. So maybe I have to write it myself, first.”
“Maybe Jordan does.” Flynn played absently with Malorys hair as he thought it through. “Hes the writer— not to diminish my own considerable talent, but I report. He just makes shit up.”
“Really good shit,” Jordan reminded him.
“Goes without saying. Im thinking here that if for nothing other than the cohesion and the exercise, Jordan could write all this out. In story form. Maybe when Dana reads it, the scales will fall from her eyes, shell pull out the key, and we can all have a party, with cake.”
“Its not an entirely stupid idea,” Dana decided.
“I think its great.”Zoe shifted in her seat to beam at Jordan. “Will you do it? I just love reading your books, and this would be even more fun.”
“For you, gorgeous?” He picked up her hand and kissed it. “Anything.”
“Im feeling a little queasy.” Dana patted her stomach. “How soon will you have something I can see?” she asked Jordan.
“Okay, now you sound like an editor. It could force me to have a creative tantrum and slow everything down.”
“Do you? Have creative tantrums, I mean.” ToZoe , the idea was fascinating. “Ive always wondered how it works, with artists and all.”
“Oh, God, now shes called him an artist.” Dana got to her feet. “I must go home and lie down.”
Ignoring her, Jordan gaveZoe his attention. “No, not really. Its a job, just happens to be a really great job. My editor—my real editor,” he added with a glance at Dana, “is a woman of discerning taste, skill, and diplomacy.”
“Your editors a woman? How does it work? Do you work with her all the way through a book, or does she tell you what she wants you to do, or…” She trailed off, shook her head. “Sorry. Way, way off topic.”
“Its okay. Do you want to write?”
“Write? Me?” The idea had her exotic eyes going wide before she laughed. “No. I just tike knowing how things work.”
“Speaking of work, weve got a full day of it tomorrow.” Malory gave Flynns hand a pat. “Thats my cue. Ill go round up Moe for you,” Flynn told Dana.
“Im running low on dog food. He eats like an elephant.”
“Ill drop some off.” He caught her face in his hands. “Keep him close, okay?”
“He doesnt give me a lot of choice.”
“Flynn, would you round up Simon, too?” Automatically,Zoe began stacking dishes. “Hes probably attached to Moe at the hip, so he shouldnt give you any trouble.”
“Sure.”
“Wed better cut out too. Im going to see if I can get this one started on his homework.” Dana jerked a thumb at Jordan. “Any tips for that,Zoe ?”
“Bribery. Thats my method.”
Brad stepped over, laid a hand onZoes . And made her jump like a rabbit. “You dont have to bother with those.”
“Sorry.” She instantly set the plates down. “Habit.”
It seemed to Brad that the woman deliberately misinterpreted every second word out of his mouth. “I just meant you dont have to pick up. Anybody want coffee?”
“I do.”
“No, you dont.” Dana gave Jordan a nudge toward the doorway. “Its work for you, pal. You can have coffee when youve gotten a couple of pages done.”
“Bribery.”Zoe nodded approval. “It never fails.”