Page 95 of Back in Black

Such an incredible man. “I could hardly forget.”

His scrutiny intensified. “How much were they paying you? I’ll match it.”

Gillian laughed. Amazing that shecouldlaugh after everything, but Drew did that for her. “We can negotiate that later. Right now, I want to call Fran and set up a meeting.”

“Couldn’t we keep her waiting a little longer?”

“No.” As she punched in the number, she explained her stance. “Striking while the iron is hot is always a good strategy. The longer we wait to do a press release, the more insane the gossip will be. And we owe it to Fran to get her input before making any decisions. And Drew?”

“Yes, dear?”

She gave him a look for his sarcasm. Fran’s assistant answered, forestalling her conversation with Drew.

“Yes, this is Gillian Noode. I’d like to speak to Ms. Ferrari, please.”

“Certainly, Ms. Noode.” Excitement sounded in the assistant’s tone. “Ms. Ferrari asked that you be put right through. One second, please.”

So Fran had hoped she’d call? Perfect.

While waiting, Gillian covered the mouthpiece and said to Drew, “When we meet with Fran, youwillbe nice. Is that understood?”

“I hear you.” He went back for more coffee, and just as Fran answered, he added, “But as my current number-one employee, you should know that I won’t make a promise I might not be able to keep. How nice I am will depend on how nice Fran is.”

Drew and Fran were both such dominating personalities that they would always butt heads. Gillian figured that she’d have her work cut out for her. But ultimately, regardless of what he said, she knew that Drew wanted to be with the SBC, so whatever it took, she’d make that happen.

As she’d told Drew when she first met him, she was the best at what she did. She could finesse anyone to her way of thinking.

Now she’d have a chance to prove it.

CHAPTER 16

MILLIE’ agitation was easy to see when Audrey finally met up with her outside her apartment. Spending so much additional time with Brett had her cutting things close, and she didn’t have a lot of time to spare before she had to leave for work.

“What took you so long?”

It surprised Audrey to see Millie so disheveled. Her hair looked like it hadn’t been brushed yet today, and dark circles discolored the fragile skin beneath her eyes.

“Millie? Are you all right?”

“I’m fabulous,” she claimed. “I finally have him, and this time he can’t avoid the consequences.”

“Drew Black?”

“Who else?” Millie scooped her arm through Audrey’s and they headed into the building. “He’ll be publicly humiliated now that the SBC is firing him.”

“You’re sure that they are?”

“Definitely. It should be happening right about now, in fact.” She laughed with anticipation. “Long overdue, if you ask me.”

Audrey frowned at the gleaming enthusiasm in Millie’s tired eyes. She wasn’t acting like her usual, quiet self. Instead of vindicated, she seemed almost gleeful with the situation.

“Let’s go into my place to talk, okay?”

Millie didn’t answer; she just went along with Audrey as they climbed the short stairway to the second-story landing in her unadorned apartment building.

“He’s screwing his publicist, Audrey. And the hoity-toity woman didn’t even deny it! Now tell me, how is a publicist going to enact change in his public persona when she’s become part of the problem?”

Before replying, Audrey unlocked her door and went in. Once she and Millie were both behind the closed door, she dropped her purse and gestured for Millie to join her on the sofa.

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