"If you had to as opposed to if you wanted to."
"Look, Maria, that's my past. It's over. There's nothing I can do about it."
Maria still looked doubtful. She finally sighed and hugged Derick. "Okay. I'm willing to give it a shot. I love you."
"It's been a long time since someone told me that." He said in her ear as he hugged her.
"That someone was willing to take a chance on you, or that they loved you?"
"Both."
* * *
Derick didn't remember that he had to meet Craig Devon at 10 o' clock at Tippy's that night. Not until 9:15, when he was busy watching television and eating left over Chinese takeout in his pajamas, still reeling over the scene with Lydia and the explanation he had to give Maria. As he scrambled to get dressed, Derick remembered what Devon said. "Payment."
"Aww, shit!" Derick searched for his checkbook. He found it relatively quickly in a pile of dirty, odorous socks and underwear.
After he was dressed and ready to go, Derick grabbed his keys and ran out the door at 9:50. It was a 15 minute drive to Tippy's.
* * *
Not even stopping to see the hostess on the way into the restaurant, Derick went right to Craig Devon's table. Craig Devon, with gold rings on each finger, was sitting with his hands folded in what looked like prayer. Derick knew he was pissed.
"Sorry I'm late. Traffic."
"Don't lie."
Derick's eyes widened.
"Don't look so startled. Remember, I was also driving on the roads just a short while ago. Traffic couldn't have picked up that much in 10 minutes. Devon laughed.
Derick smiled, let out a sigh of relief and took a seat.
"Well, I've done my job, as promised. Now, it is time for you to hold up your end of the bargain."
"I'm ready." Derick pulled the checkbook out of his back pocket.
"You're not going to need your checkbook."
Surprised, Derick put the checkbook back in his pocket. "Then how will I be paying?"
"Royalties. I am so confident that this book will sell that all I'm asking is 40% royalties on everything."
"40%?! You're out of your mind!"
"Well, I see you've done your homework. However, I'm not just any agent. I made you. I gave you a shot to be somebody when no one else wanted you!" Devon quickly calmed down. "However, if my price is too steep, then maybe we can make other arrangements."