Chapter 4
CHAPTER 4
T his was definitely one of those “Oh, shit” moments. He’d just insulted the woman that he was dying to sign. Granted, Nick thought he was insulting the little recluse standing between him and the author that he wanted to sign.
Ah, hell, there was nowhere to go but forward with this one.
“You’re J.L. Lewis?” Nick asked in what he knew was his most charming tone. Apparently, the little recluse 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’s 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 that 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 handles the editing and advises them on their online strategy.”
“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 just to keep her happy? It was ludicrous to pay her as an agent when all she really was doing was proofreading.
“These authors need someone to work with. A proofreader isn’t what they need. Who’s going to promote their work or organize their book signings?” he asked.
She frowned. “I’m not a proofreader.”
“No, you’re not,” Rick agreed, to keep her happy? Nick wasn’t sure.
Rick turned his attention to him. “I’ve decided to let you have first pick and assign the rest. What I suggest is that Miss Harris gets the manuscripts first.”
Nick frowned. “So, you’re leaving us at the mercy of a recluse?”
“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 an eye 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 and book signings, and start doing 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.”
Nick caught the panicked expression on Miss Harris’s face but ignored it. He had more important things to focus on right now, like not congratulating himself since it would probably come off as unprofessional. He’d save it for later.
Shit!
There was so much to do. He needed to call the printers, get a decent picture on her book cover, 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, 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 to hermit and he knew just the woman to handle this little overhaul.
This was depressing, Jamie thought as they drove through the plush neighborhood. Seems things hadn’t changed. She was still the world’s biggest pushover. Or was doormat more fitting? 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 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 the jerk, who hadn’t stopped smiling since they’d left Rick’s office. He also hadn’t put his phone down or acknowledged her existence.
She really wished that she knew where they were going. Call her crazy, but it would have been nice to be told something. Then again, it would have probably gone over better if he’d asked her instead of dragged her behind him. She was pretty sure that he hadn’t said one single word to her since they’d left Rick’s office.
As soon as Rick’s office door closed behind them, Nick 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 that he’d followed her. Without a word, he’d 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 the long list of people who knew that she didn’t have a backbone. This was just super, Jamie thought dryly as they pulled into the long driveway of a huge white one-story house. Finally, Nick 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 are we exactly?” she couldn’t help but ask.
Nick looked over his shoulder at her and ran his gaze over her. Finally, he looked at her face and sighed as though it pained him to speak with her. “We’re here because you need a complete makeover 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.”
Mortification burned her cheeks while she stood there, trying not to wince. She knew that 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 to help soften the blow?
“Oh,” was her only response.
The front door opened to reveal a man with more muscle than any one human needed. He looked Nick over and nodded his acknowledgment before turning his gaze to her and frowned.
A bodyguard? What kind of friend needed a bodyguard? Then it hit her. He was bringing her to see one of his girlfriends. A model perhaps? She’d heard about him. Heck, she’d seen the man operate a month ago when she’d attended the dinner welcoming her to Rerum Publishing. He’d flirted with every woman at the restaurant while pointedly ignoring her. It had been kind of insulting, to say the least.
“Who?” Jamie whispered, trying not to make any sudden moves that would enrage the massive bodyguard glaring down at her.
“Dana Pierce,” Nick said, shrugging as though it was no big deal.
Her brows shot up and her heart practically leaped out of her chest. He’d brought her to Dana Pierce’s house? Was he insane? The woman was a world-famous author and actress, and did she mention Dana had been in Edge magazine a total of five times?
Nope.
She couldn’t do this.
She turned to leave only to have the back of her coat grabbed. In seconds, Jamie was being dragged inside the large house that had a surprisingly down-to-earth feel to it.
“Hey! Let me go!” Jamie hissed.
“I don’t have time for this, Miss Harris,” Nick said unapologetically.
“Uncle Nick!” several small boys yelled excitedly.
Nick released her, causing her to stumble. With the help of the bodyguard, Jamie avoided going headfirst into the front door.
“Thank you,” she mumbled with an apologetic smile.
“You’re welcome, ma’am.”
Jamie brushed her coat down and turned around to see two little shirtless boys happily latching onto Nick’s legs. An older boy, who looked to be around eight or nine, hugged Nick, careful of his younger brothers and there was no doubt that they were brothers. She would have known that instantly, even without knowing that Edward and Dana Pierce had three sons and one daughter. They looked exactly like Edward. That was kind of interesting, considering the oldest one wasn’t Edward Pierce’s biological son.
As discreetly as she could, Jamie shot a quick glance at the oldest boy. She remembered the incident that occurred five years ago with this little boy. Everyone heard about it. It had been hard to turn on the television or pick up a paper or magazine for the next month without hearing about what happened. A babysitter from a well-known agency had gotten drunk with a guy 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 check on employees instead of a simple state background check. Monthly drug tests were now mandatory and the laws were tougher. From what she’d read, she was pretty sure the woman who’d caused Cole’s injury was still doing time along with her boyfriend. At least it looked like the boy didn’t have any scars.
“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 tomorrow at your game. Okay?” Nick said as he bent forward so he could look Cole in the eye.
“Can we feed the ducks afterward like last time?”
“We sure can,” Nick said with a fond smile for the little boy. He kissed Cole’s forehead and the two little ones on the top of their heads before he gestured for Jamie to follow him. She was starting to feel kind of awkward following after him, but that feeling was quickly replaced with shock when they walked into the kitchen.
Well, at least she could say those magazines that Caitlyn liked to read were wrong. Edward and Dana Pierce didn’t 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. Dana cupped her husband’s face as she practically devoured his mouth while he cupped her backside, holding her tightly against him while Jamie did her best to look away.
Nick, on the other hand, didn’t really seem to care. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw him lean back against the wall and cross his arms over his chest, looking bored.
“If I could interrupt you for a moment?” Nick drawled, 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 that she was forced to face the couple they’d just walked in on. Instead of looking angry at the interruption, they looked amused. Edward pressed a sweet kiss against Dana’s mouth and nose before stepping back.
“You know,” Edward drawled as he leaned back against the counter, “most people would have just walked out and gave us a few minutes. Maybe knocked to let us know that they were there?”
“Sorry,” Jamie muttered automatically, still not quite able to meet their curious gazes.
“Who’s this?” Dana Pierce asked with a warm smile.
“Oh,” Nick said as though 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, sighing heavily.
“Hey!” Edward snapped while Nick simply grinned.
Dana rolled her eyes playfully at her husband. “Don’t give me that look, you know that I have a soft spot for Nick.”
“That’s funny because I have a hard-” Nick began, only to get cut off when Dana slapped her 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 pleased to meet you...” she prompted smoothly.
“Jamie Harris,” she mumbled, really wishing that she could leave.
“It’s very nice to meet you, Jamie. Would you care for something to drink?”
“No, thank you,” Jamie said, feeling really nervous and wishing Nick would release her so she could make a run for the car or the border, whichever one 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 and leaned back against him. Edward’s arm automatically came around her waist and pulled her closer.
Jamie had to look away again, feeling like she was intruding on another private moment. It was obvious that this couple was in love. Something that she would probably never experience.
Wow, that was a really depressing thought.
“I need you to take Miss Harris out for a complete makeover.”
Dana frowned as she looked back at Jamie. No doubt she thought it was a hopeless task, too.
“Not that I could ever say no to you-”
“You better be able to say no to him,” Edward practically growled, making Dana smile.
“-but do you mind telling me why she needs a makeover and what it’s for so that I know where to focus?”
Nick sighed. “Rerum just signed and I’m her agent. I need to get her ready for some PR opportunities, but I don’t have much time.”
Dana frowned, looking thoughtful. “Have I read anything you wrote?”
Nick chuckled. “Probably, but she writes under a pen name.”
“What name?” Edward asked, kissing the top of Dana’s head.
“J.L. Lewis,” Nick announced to her horror.
Why must the man do things like this? Did he enjoy humiliating her? First, with the tampon and the toilet shield, then he put her down in Rick’s office for a good half-hour. Now, he was determined to have another laugh at her expense. Like Dana Pierce really knew who she was. Puhlease. That was so ridicu-
“The J.L. Lewis of the Immortals on Earth series and Vampires of the Heart series?” Dana Pierce asked with a deadly serious expression that kind of scared her a bit there.
Wow, Jamie thought, Dana Pierce heard about her books. That was pretty cool. Of course, she probably only heard about her series from Rick since she doubted that someone like Dana Pierce actually read her work.
“That’s her,” Nick said casually.
Dana’s jaw dropped.
Jamie became worried.
“Honey? Are you okay?” Edward asked, frowning when Dana suddenly went still in his arms.
Not bothering to answer, Dana rushed towards her, scaring the crap out of her as she took Jamie’s hands in hers and said, “I’m your biggest fan!”