“Did you fight?”
“Not a fight,” I hedge.
Sebastian leans back, drumming a hand against his knee. “If I’m going to help you, I need to know more details.”
I grit my teeth. “There’s not much to tell. She’s an online friend. She lives in San Francisco.”
“Dude. She could be some stalker fan.”
“She doesn’t know who I am, so she’s not a stalker.”
“She doesn’t know you’re famous?”
“No,” I clip out.
Sebastian cracks up. “Whoa, so this chick thinks you’re just some random. That’s sick.”
“It’s not funny, asshole. I’m worried. I haven’t heard from her in days, and we usually text constantly.”
I can’t even articulate all the things I’m worried about. And I miss her more than I thought possible.
“You’re in deep. So, find her.”
“What if she doesn’t want to be found?” I need to be sure she’s okay. I swallow past the lump in my throat.
“Do you know anything about her? Besides San Francisco?”
“I know the name of the bookshop where she works.”
“Ooh, I dig the hot librarian thing. So, what the fuck are you waiting for, an invitation? You’re Chase fucking James. Go get her.”
The door opens, and Emma is in the doorway. “Boys, two minutes. Ronan is on his way back up to join you for this interview.” Emma glares at me. “Chase, your hair is all crazy again.” Her tone is half accusation, half resignation.
“Leave it,” Sebastian says. “Chicks dig the sex hair. So, Emma, you’re a girl…”
“Woman, but glad you noticed,” she drawls as she saunters into the room, her attention on the papers in her hand.
“As a female, don’t you agree Chase needs to get off his ass and find his woman?”
Emma looks up, interest in her eyes now. “The sexting girl?”
“We don’t sext,” I snarl. “What happened to privacy?”
“Privacy is a myth for people like you,” Emma retorts.
“Sexting Girl disappeared. Don’t you think he should grow some balls, go to San Francisco, where she lives, and find out why?”
“We. Don’t. Sext. We text. That’s it. And I won’t be some stalker who chases after her just because she doesn’t answer a few messages.”
“Pussy. A few texts, my ass. You’ve been blowing up her phone all week. Emma, tell him he needs to man up.”
Emma purses her lips and tilts her head, her sharp eyes darting from Sebastian to me and back again.
“I think a guy who is smart enough to recognize a good thing and go after it is rare,” she says slowly with a quick glance at Sebastian. She shrugs. “So, stop pitching a fit and go after her.”
I run my fingers through my hair again in frustration, garnering another glare from Emma.
“Find her,” Sebastian says. “Go now. I’ll cover your last interviews.”
“Hold on. I didn’t say to go now. You’re not leaving early.” Emma’s scowl is now at DEFCON 5. “But if you’re real nice, Chase, I’ll help you. Jake Edgerton has been looking for leads in his latest movie. And your name is topping the list.”
I frown. “I hadn’t heard that.” Edgerton is one of the best directors in the business. “How do you know?”
Emma smiles smugly. “I’ve done a few favors for the casting agent.”
“And?”
“I also happen to know that Edgerton lives in San Francisco and is there now. I’d be willing to bet that he’d be happy to see you. A meeting would give you a non-stalker-y reason to visit San Francisco for a few days and check on your girl.”
“God, you’re scary good,” Sebastian says in admiration. “How do you do it?”
“I work at it.” Emma’s smile is smug. “I understand work is a foreign concept for you, but try it sometime.”
“Always throwing shade. I work. I work hard!” Sebastian protests.
“Fine. Let’s do it.” I nod to Emma. “Can you help set it up?” I can be in San Francisco tomorrow. And I can find Olivia. Anxiety shoots through me. I’d be betraying our rules by doing this.
But she broke the rules first, I remind myself. I’ll see her, make sure she’s okay. Then, I’ll leave.
“I can arrange it.” Emma types into her phone. “Make sure you take Duncan. You’ve had more freaky fan letters lately.”