“In return you will also get to sign J.L. Lewis as your client. As well as oversee the rest of her clients.”
“Seriously?”
“Seriously.”
“That’s great! I already made some contacts. I think if we get her face out there and get her to do a few interviews before we start the book tour for her new book that we’ll be able to count on huge sales for the printed book as well as the ebook.”
Jamie cringed further into herself. Interviews? Book sales? Could J.L. do this?
“Before you get too carried away, Nick, you should probably know something,” Rick said.
Jamie couldn’t help but glance at the man from the corner of her eye to see his reaction. She didn’t want to, but she found herself helpless to do anything else.
“If you have a problem with Miss. Harris then you’re not going to be too happy with J.L.,” Rick said carefully.
“And why is that?”
“Because I’m J.L. Lewis,” Jamie answered softly.
Chapter 3
This was definitely one of those “oh, shit” moments. He just insulted the woman he was dying to sign. Granted he thought he was insulting the hermit standing between him the author he wanted to sign.
Ah hell, there was nowhere to go but forward with this one.
“You’re J.L. Lewis?” he asked in what he knew was his most charming tone.
Apparently the little hermit didn’t know that because she only nodded.
A thought occurred to him. “Rick, how exactly is she supposed to represent other clients if she is busy writing and promoting her own work?”
“She won’t be. Her job here is strictly editing. She’s easily one of the best editors I’ve ever come across. Her clients trust her and we can work with that. They know their books will be handled by others and they’re fine with that as long as Jamie gives their books a final look over before it goes to print.”
“So, her job here is just to give the final editorial approval before a book goes to print?” Nick asked.
Rick nodded. “That and to write and promote her books. You’re right about her potential. I really think she’ll reach Dana’s level with the right help.”
He’d heard of pampering authors before, but this was ridiculous. They created a job for her to keep her happy? It was ridiculous to pay her as an editor when what she really was a proof reader.
“These authors need someone to work with. A proofreader isn’t what they need. Who’s going to promote their work or organize book signings?” he asked.
She frowned. “I’m not a proof reader.”
“No, you’re not,” Rick agreed, to keep her happy? Nick wasn’t sure.
Rick turned his attention on him. “I’ve decided to let you have first pick. The rest of the clients I want you to assign away. What I suggest is that Miss. Harris get the manuscripts right before they’re ready to go to print.”
Nick frowned. “So, you’re making us proofreaders?”
“Only on these clients. It’s what they want. She’s known for having a sharp eye and good taste. She never takes out too much and she has a hell of a knack for detail. Other than that I want you to handle her. I need you to get her ready and start promoting her books. I want her to go on tour with a few lectures, book signings and interviews. I want it at the same level we give Dana, but unlike Dana we don’t have to hold back because of the kids. I trust you know what to do.”
He caught the panicked expression on Miss. Harris’ face, but ignored it. He had more important things to focus on right now like not doing a touchdown dance then and there. It would probably come off as unprofessional. He’d save it for his office.
Shit.
There was so much to do. He needed to call the printers, get a decent picture on her book, set up interviews, book signings, book tours and a convention or two wouldn’t hurt. His eyes drifted towards the little recluse. First they had to give her a makeover, nothing major. Just her hair, her eyes, makeup and good god those clothes had to go. If they could make her look more nerdish or even plainish that would be preferable over hermit.
He couldn’t help his shit eating grin that seemed to make the little hermit more nervous. He knew just the women to handle this little overhaul.
******
This was depressing, Jamie thought as they drove through a plush neighborhood. Seems things hadn’t changed. She was still the world’s biggest pushover or doormat. Really, labels didn’t matter at the moment because her life just plain sucked.
How pathetic does someone have to be to just sit there and take it politely while someone trashed everything about her? Pretty darn pathetic. Instead of putting her foot down and demanding a different agent to handle her career she was in a car with a big jerk who wouldn’t stop smiling smugly even though he was having a conversation with someone on his cell phone. He’d been on that thing since they left Rick’s office, setting up this or that.
She really wished she knew where they were going. Call her crazy, but it would have been nice to have been told, correction, asked to go wherever it was they were going. She was pretty sure he hadn’t said one single word to her since they left Rick’s office. As soon as the door closed behind them he attached a hands free piece to his ear and began his marathon of calls. It wasn’t until she sat down at her new desk and logged onto her computer to start editing Margo O’Malley’s latest book that she realized he’d followed her. Without a word he picked up her bag and handed it to her, gesturing for her to follow him.
Well, it was just one more person to add to her list that knew she didn’t have a backbone. This was just super, she thought dryly as they pulled into a long driveway of a huge white one story house.
Finally Mr. Quinn ended his call and got out. Obviously he expected her to follow after him like a puppy. Deciding against sitting in the car, mostly because it would look like she was pouting, she followed him to the front door.
“Um, where exactly are we?” she asked.
He looked over his shoulder at her and ran his gaze over her, making her feel like a bug under a microscope. Finally he looked at her face and sighed as if it pained him to speak with her. “We’re here because you need a complete overhaul and I don’t have the time to do it. So, I’m going to ask a friend of mine to do it for me.”
Fire scorched her cheeks as embarrassment once again won over frustration.
She knew she wasn’t exactly a prize, but would it kill the man to sugarcoat it for her? Perhaps a few white lies here and there?
“Oh,” was her only response.
The front door opened to reveal a man with more muscles than any one human needed. He looked Nick over and nodded his acknowledgement before turning his gaze to her and frowned.
A bodyguard? What kind of friend that would help with her appearance needed a bodyguard? Then it hit her. He was bringing her to one of his many lady friends. A model perhaps? She’d heard about him. Heck, she saw the man operate a month ago when she attended that meeting. He seemed to hit on every waitress at the restaurant. It was kind of insulting to say the least.
“Who exactly are we meeting with?” she whispered, feeling suddenly nervous under the bodyguard’s glare.
“Dana Pierce,” Nick said casually as if he were ordering a burger.
Her brows shot up and her heart practically leapt out of her chest. He brought her to the home of Dana Pierce! Was he insane? The woman was a world famous author and actress and did she mention the woman had been in Maxim magazine a total of five times? Nope. She couldn’t and wouldn’t do this. Next to Dana Pierce she would look like dog food.
She turned to leave only to have the back of her coat grabbed. In seconds she was being dragged inside a house that had a surprisingly down to earth feeling to it.
“Hey! Let me go!” she hissed.
“I don’t have time for this, Miss. Harris,” Nick said unapologetically.
“Uncle Nick!” several small boys yelled excitedly.
He released her, causing her to stumble. With the help of the bodyguard she avoided going head first into the front door.
“Thank you,” she mumbled.
“You’re welcome, ma’am.”
Jamie brushed her coat down and turned around to see two little shirtless boys around four years old happily latch onto Nick’s legs. An older boy, also shirtless, who looked to be around eight or nine, hugged Nick, careful of his smaller brothers. There was no doubt that they were brothers. She would have known that instantly even without knowing Edward and Dana Pierce had three sons and one daughter. They looked exactly alike and exactly like Edward. That was kind of interesting considering the oldest one was not Edward Pierce’s biologically son. It was kind of eerie.
As discretely as she could she did a quick glance over the oldest boy. She remembered the incident that occurred five years ago with this little boy. Everyone heard about it. It was hard to turn on the television or pick up a paper or magazine for a month after it happened without seeing a reminder. A babysitter from a well known and trusted agency had a little alcohol and drug party with a guy in this very house and left the two young children alone. As a result the little boy suffered severe burns when he tried to cook food for himself and his sister.
After that incident a new law was enacted called the Cole Child First Act. It required all California agencies that dealt with the care of a child, handicapped or elderly person to do a federal background search on employees instead of a simple state background check. Monthly drug tests were now mandatory and the laws were tougher. From what she read she was pretty sure the woman who caused Cole’s injury was still doing time along with her boyfriend.
At least it looked like the boy didn’t have any scars. She shifted her gaze away quickly. No need for people to think that she was some sick-o or something.
Though, she was sure that she wasn’t the only one who threw the kid curious looks.
“Where’s your mom, Cole?” Nick asked.
Cole stepped back and gestured towards the kitchen.
“Alright, guys. I have to go talk to your mom, but I’ll see you early tomorrow afternoon at your game. Okay?” he said as he bent forward so he could look Cole in the eye.
Cole beamed. “Can we feed the ducks afterwards like last time?”
“We sure can, buddy,” Nick said with a fond smile for the boy. He kissed Cole on the cheek and the two little ones on the top of the head before he gestured for her to follow him.
She was starting to feel kind of awkward being in someone else’s house without an introduction. That feeling of awkwardness was nothing like what she experienced when they walked into the kitchen.
They walked in on Edward and Dana Pierce during a hot and heavy make out session! To make matters worse they didn’t stop. Dana pierce cupped her husband’s face as she practically devoured his mouth while he cupped her backside, holding her tightly against him.
Well, at least she could easily say those magazines that Caitlyn read were wrong. Edward and Dana Pierce did not seem to be on the verge of an ugly divorce.
In fact, it looked like they were on the verge of tearing each other’s clothes off.
She turned around, not sure who she should be more embarrassed for, her or them. Nick on the other hand didn’t seem to be too worried. Out of the corner of her eye she saw him lean back against the wall and cross his arms over his chest. He looked almost bored.
“If I could interrupt you for a moment?” Nick said, grabbing her arm when embarrassment demanded that she make a run for it. He pulled her back and in one swift move had her turned around so she could face the couple they just walked in on. Did this make her a peeping tom?
Instead of looking angry at the interruption they looked amused. Edward pressed a sweet kiss to Dana’s mouth and nose before stepping back.
“You know,” Edward drawled as he leaned against the counter, “most people would have just walked out and given us a few minutes. Maybe knocked on the door or something.”
“Sorry,” Jamie muttered automatically, still not quite meeting their eyes.
“Who’s this?” Dana Pierce asked in friendly tone? Jamie wasn’t sure mostly because her ears were still burning from embarrassment.
“Oh,” Nick said as if she was an afterthought. “This is the favor I need your help with.”
“Does this favor have a name or are we all supposed to follow your rude example? Honestly Nick, sometimes I wonder why I love you so much,” Dana said, stepping forward.
“Hey!” Edward snapped.
Nick grinned hugely.
She rolled her eyes playfully at her husband. “Don’t give me that look, you know I have a soft spot for Nick.”
“That’s funny, because I have a hard-” Nick began only to be cut off by Dana slapping a hand over his mouth.
Dana smiled warmly as she looked at Jamie. “I’m sorry that my very rude friend here is being, well….himself. I’m Dana and this is my husband Edward.
We’re very please to meet you…..,” she prompted smoothly.
“Jamie Harris,” she managed to answer.
“It’s very nice to meet you, Jamie. Would you care for something to drink?”
“No, thank you,” she said, feeling really nervous and wishing Nick would release her so she could make a run for the car or the border, whichever was more convenient.
Dana nodded, turning her attention back to Nick. “I’m going to remove my hand now. Behave yourself,” she warned sternly, but the smile she gave him kind of defeated the tone.
“Now tell me what this favor is that you need,” Dana said, walking back to her husband to lean into him. Edward’s arm automatically came around her waist to hold her.