Seth Quinn said nothing, but River Sterling, who was standing to the side, clicked his tongue. "Two days and two nights? Linden, I never knew you had it in you. It’s a miracle your Poppy hasn’t run for the hills!"
"Never! We’re perfectly compatible!" Linden Jennings retorted with a roguish grin, leaning back on the sofa and crossing his legs.
River Sterling shot him a dismissive glance. Done with the banter, he turned to the matter that was truly on his mind. "Seth, so? How did it go? Did Clara help get in touch with that Rhys Ryston?"
Sitting upright on his stool, Seth Quinn glanced up at him and asked with a casual air, "Are you interested in the work, or are you interested in the person?"
"Wh-what do you an, interested in the person? Of course I’m interested in the work!" River Sterling retorted, trying to sound composed despite his guilt. "Hey, you’re the big boss here. I’m just trying to make you money, and you’re giving a hard ti?"
’But I really am doing this for work,’ he grumbled to himself. ’What is there to feel guilty about!’
And yet... the last ti Clara had ntioned that "Rhys Ryston" and "River Sterling" sounded good together, that they were a match made in heaven, he’d felt his face flush. At the ti, he’d chalked it up to being flustered by her teasing.
But now, his face was burning even hotter, and the guilt was intensifying.
’Damn it!’ River Sterling cursed inwardly. ’She’s a woman I’ve never even t—oh, wait, I don’t even know if they’re a man or a woman. So what’s with the flushing face and racing heart?’
’It seems I haven’t been with a woman in too long. I’m getting seriously deprived!’
’Nope, this won’t do. After work, I have to find a woman to quench this thirst. No, I need to find several!’
While River Sterling was still lost in his thoughts, Linden Jennings pounced, hungry for gossip. "What’s this? Who is it? Who’ve you got your eye on?"
’River interested in soone? Now that’s news you only hear once in a blue moon!’
"Back off. It’s none of your business," River Sterling grumbled, jabbing him with his elbow.
"Hey, I’m just a big bro looking out for his little bro. Other people wish I’d pay this much attention to them, and I couldn’t care less."
River Sterling ignored him, turning his expectant gaze back to Seth Quinn.
But Seth Quinn simply spilled the beans. "The author of a web novel. River has been following her for a long ti."
"Whoa, you’re crushing on soone you’ve never even t? That’s not like you at all, man! You’re famous for being obsessed with looks—you only ever go for a pretty face. What if she turns out to be hideous? Won’t you be crushed when you finally et her in person?"
Linden Jennings smacked his lips, finding it all hard to believe.
Annoyed, River Sterling shot to his feet. He glared at Seth Quinn and snapped, "Seth, who said I’m following *her*? I’m following her *novel*, okay? If you won’t tell , then forget it. I’m out."
With that, he turned and stord off in a huff.
As he flipped through the docunts on his desk, Seth Quinn spoke to River’s retreating back, his voice unhurried. "Clara got in touch with her, but she’s not in Novaria at the mont. She won’t be back for a while, so you’ll just have to wait."
River Sterling’s determined stride faltered. He stopped, turned back with a frown, and asked, "How long is ’a while’?"
Seth Quinn shrugged. "I don’t know."
’So you’ve told absolutely nothing!’
Linden Jennings watched River’s disgruntled retreat with a silent smile. He turned to Seth Quinn and said, "Let’s grab lunch later," before following him out the door.
With both of them gone, the office fell silent, but Seth Quinn found it even harder to focus on his work.
They had just been talking about Clara Grant, and now his mind was completely filled with thoughts of her.
’I wonder if she’s cald down. Did she go ho, or did she go find Sarah Shelby?’
Lost in thought, Seth Quinn couldn’t resist picking up his phone and dialing a number.
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