Chapter Twenty- Four
I’ve been wandering around the hotel with Ryan for about an hour, taking photos of various spaces and amenities they offer. But really, I’m itching to get to Get Out of Here’s head offices to give Nolan a piece of my mind.
The closer I get to going there, the more pissed off I get. How fucking dare he threaten a woman and a child? And after knowing what she’s been through? There’s no fucking way I’m letting him get away with that shit.
“I’m glad you were available, and that your pricing wasn’t anything like the magazine. Your old boss was a piece of work to deal with.” Ryan says absently while he fluffs another pillow on the chaise by the large window overlooking Copley Square.
“Oh really? Did you have a bad interaction with him? I thought we were pretty close in pricing.”
“Ha! No way. You’re in line with the industry standard but the magazine? They’re about three grand more.” He stands up straight before turning to look at me. “I’m sorry if I spoke out of turn. I just assumed… you know what? Never mind.” He shakes his head.
“The guy is a pretentious prick who can’t understand the definition of no. Trust me, whatever you have to say about him, I’ve thought three times worse.” His face relaxes, and his shoulders drop in relief that he didn’t misread my situation with Nolan.
Fucking Nolan. I handled most of the contracts up to a certain point. I priced myself just under a hundred less than them. There’s no way the magazine was charging three grand over my pricing.
“I tried to get him to come out. For him it would just be an hour trip to come over. But when I requested to have you as the photographer, he hung up on me and refused to call me back after that. That’s when I set my wife, who could work for the FBI, to find where you went.
I was ecstatic when she found your new blog, and then you agreed to come. ”
“Well, I’m glad it worked out then. The updates are amazing. I bet you’ll get fully booked soon. If I had to guess, couples are your bread and butter. So I’ll cater to that in my write-up.”
“You’d be right. Romantic getaways are our number one marketing strategy.” He smiles.
I snap photos of the small common area. I could see a couple on that chaise, sitting together and looking out over the square with some hot cocoa on a cold snowy day before heading out to the holiday market at Faneuil Hall.
After photos were done, I was escorted to a small banquet room with tables set up full of meals, and set for photos.
“Everything is warm and fresh. It was just sent out from the kitchen for your photos. Feel free to eat whatever you want after. I’ll be right in my office so when you’re done or if you need me, just let the front desk know.”
“Thank you.” I shake Ryan’s hand before choosing a table that I like best.
I start with photos, moving the meals around to get the best light and look. Trying to brighten up the breakfast waffles, while creating a romantic atmosphere for the dinner plates.
The waffles didn't last long after my photo because they looked delicious topped with berries and whipped cream. And I couldn’t help myself.
Me: ?photo of waffles? Wish you and Lily May were here with me. She’d love the breakfast.
Aubrey: ooh, those look amazing. She would definitely be in heaven.
Me: I have a whole room full of food. I might need to be wheeled out later. Will you still like me when I move here and eat for a living?
Aubrey: Only if you share.
Me: I think I can manage sharing meals with you. ?Winking emoji?
Aubrey: Deal.
Me: On a more serious note, I can't wait to see you guys tomorrow.
Aubrey: Tomorrow? I thought you were coming home today?
Me: I am. But it'll be late, probably closer to ten, I don’t want to wake you up. So I’ll go home.
Aubrey: I'll wait up for you, if you want to sleepover.
Me: You know I'll never turn that down. Want me to let you know when I get out of the city with an ETA?
Aubrey: Yeah, just let me know. We're going to the inn soon for dinner with Emma and Violet so we can finalize the menus for the wedding.
Me: That's good. Have fun and make sure to give my princess a cookie for me. Tell her it's from me too so she knows I can still spoil her from afar.
Aubrey: No, thank you. I'll let you deal with the sugar rush tomorrow. ?Laughing emoji?
Me: Fair. How about a hug and tell her that I miss her?
Aubrey: That I can do. See you soon. ?Kissing emoji?
Pocketing my phone, I get back to work so I can leave earlier. I'd love to make it back for bedtime.
Ryan comes back to check on me about half an hour later. Just as I'm cleaning up.
"How was everything?" he asks.
"Delicious. I tried to get at least a bite of every dish."
"What was your favorite?" He taps on his phone and three employees appear magically to clear the plates.
"Definitely the waffles. I'm already planning a trip with my girl for Christmas time." It might just be in my head, but I'd love to get away here with Aubrey to shop for, and spoil, Lily for Christmas.
"Well, you let me know and I'll have our best room for you. Was there anything else you'd like to get for the blog?"
"I think I'm going to walk around a bit actually. So I can highlight local and walkable things to do. Is it okay to leave my car while I do that?" I finish packing up my camera while we talk.
"Of course. Just let the valet know when you're ready. They'll get your bags and car."
"Thanks so much. I'll get out of your hair and send you a proof of the post early next week. Was there any upcoming promos you want me to attach?"
"Actually the new owners approved a ten percent discount code for you, your readers just need to enter the code COOPER10 at checkout." He hands me a marketing flier to include in my post. "They'll email you a copy too, my assistant already has your information."
“That’s awesome. I’m sure they’ll love that bonus.” I throw my camera bag over my shoulder, opting to use my phone for the walk. “Can I leave this with my bags behind the front desk?”
“Sure. I’ll take it for you. We really appreciate the exposure you can give.”
“No problem. I’ll talk to you later.” I wave to him as I leave the banquet room.
I plan to get photos on my way to Get Out of Here’s office.
Snapping photos as I go is easy because I’ve spent so much time here. The office is only a few blocks away so I already know my favorite spots that I’m going to highlight in the post.
It doesn't take me long to walk the two blocks around the office to make sure I get a shot of my favorite sub place on the way. The owners are an older Italian couple that make the best food.
Entering the lobby of my old office, I walk up to the reception desk.
“Hi, can I speak to Nolan, please?” I ask Miranda, the secretary that has been here since I started and is now pretending she doesn’t recognize me. Even after five years of trying to get me to take her out, now she pretends I don’t exist.
“I’m sorry, he’s in a meeting and unavailable.” She doesn’t even look at me.
“That’s bullshit and I know it. I can see him through that window. He’s looking right at me.” That gets her attention and her head whips up to look at me before turning to confirm that he is, in fact, right there.
“I’m sorry. His schedule is marked as unavailable.” She says curtly, turning back to her screen.
“Miranda.” I say her name quietly. “I know you’re not looking at me on purpose. And I know you’re lying to me. So either you can get him, or I’m going to get him. And we both know you don’t want the latter.” I smile sweetly like I didn’t just threaten her.
“You can’t—” She’s cut off by the glass door opening behind her.
“Cooper Keaton. What a surprise, although not a pleasant one entirely.” Nolan strides out toward me.
“I wouldn’t say so. Can we talk in your office?”
“That’s not necessary. Right here is fine.” He crosses his arms, standing behind the large granite desk, making hitting him a little harder.
“Are you sure you want all this aired out here in the public? We both know what I have, and we both know you wouldn’t want to ruin your reputation.” I threaten once again.
“You have nothing, Cooper.” His sly smirk makes me want to slap him hard enough to wipe it off.
“Okay, then. How about you stop threatening my girl with creepy ass photos being sent to her house? I know you’re behind it.
I know it’s you. I don’t know how you got those photos, but I will prove it, and you will be served.
I won’t tolerate the harassment. You want to be a dick and threaten me, go ahead.
But leave her and her daughter out of this shit. ”
“I didn’t take or deliver photos. I haven’t a clue what you’re talking about.” His bullshit smiles grow wider, and I know he’s lying. He’s a slimy asshole and I don’t fucking trust him.
I step forward, leaning in to whisper so only he hears me. “I’ll fucking prove it. So back. The. Fuck. Off.”
“You’ll never win, Cooper. I know how to cover my tracks.” he whispers back. “I have the upper hand, not you.”
That does it. Lunging out, I grab him by the collar, my arm pulled back ready to strike until a hand touches my shoulder.
“Cooper, don’t. He hit the security button. They’re coming.” Miranda finally snaps out of whatever bullshit she was under earlier pretending not to know who I am.
I let him go. “You better back the fuck off. I’m not joking. I don’t think Tim would appreciate what you’ve been doing behind his back to the contracts.”
Turning around, I see security walking down the hallway. Throwing my hands in the air to show defeat, I walk out of the building. More pissed off than I was when I got here. Fuck him. All this visit has done is reinvigorate my need to take him down.
Me: Dig into Nolan. Deep. I want him to fucking burn.
Wyatt: On it. I might have already started and gotten some leads. But tell me you didn’t do something stupid.
Me: Never. I just paid him a little visit. Got a recording for you of him telling me that he covers his tracks. So I know he’s behind it.
Wyatt: Do you need bail money?
Me: Would I have my phone if I was arrested? I thought you were a cop.