Page 75

I rubbed my forehead.

“So nobody bothered to tell him that an idea isn’t the same thing as permission?”

“He should’ve checked, and our approval process should’ve prevented him from publishing it. That’s Folio’s responsibility,” Oliver said. “The fact that he’s inexperienced doesn’t excuse it.”

“And the photograph?”

“It wasn’t supplied by Peyton. The team located it independently while developing the proposal. We’ve traced the draft and the publication history, and there’s no indication that she was involved in preparing or approving any of it.”

I stared at the table.

Peyton had told me that.

She’d stood in my bedroom, wrapped in a towel, and explained that Folio already had the information it needed to identify me. I’d refused to listen because I was too busy wondering whether she’d betrayed me.

“Hudson?” Bridget said.

“I’m here.”

“I also want you to know the post has been removed from every account we control. We’re restricting access to the promotional materials and reviewing who can authorize publication. Oliver is preparing written confirmation that your name, photograph, and personal information cannot be used without your separate written consent. We’ll document this incident and the steps we’re taking to prevent another one.”

“All right. I want that in writing.”

“You’ll have it today,” Oliver assured me. “Your original narration agreement remains intact. Nothing about the proposed multi-book arrangement has been accepted, and nothing gives us permission to promote you publicly.”

That was what I’d wanted to hear since my brother’s message arrived.

I should’ve felt better.

I thought of Peyton standing beside my front door, telling me she shouldn’t have to convince me she was the sort of person who wouldn’t hurt me.

She’d been right about that too.

After confirming that Oliver would send the written documentation, I ended the call.

I had a couple of things to settle with Folio, and they’d assured me they were handling them. There wasn’t much more I could accomplish by sitting at the table getting angry.

There was, however, somebody I’d treated terribly who deserved to hear from me.

I found Peyton’s number and called.

She answered after several rings.

“Hello, Hudson.”

Her voice was polite and quiet. I missed the warmth she’d greeted me with every other morning.

“Peyton, I’ve spoken with Bridget and Oliver. They found out what happened. It was a Folio employee who released the photograph without authorization. You had nothing to do with it.”

“I know. Bridget called me too.”

I swallowed.

“I’m glad she did. Listen, I owe you an apology. A proper one. Would you be willing to let me come over and talk?”

There was a pause.

“I don’t want another argument, Hudson.”