Page 9 of Serving the CEO

I took a moment to look at the manuscript I’d printed on Friday. I’d spent the weekend reading it and making notes, which I skimmed now as I flipped through it. It excited me to represent Bristol, but I needed to temper that to avoid showing too much of my hand.

“She’d do well on a book tour, don’t you think?” I said, moving on with the next item on my list of things to talk about. “A small one, of course, since this is her first book, but if we move forward, we could get some buzz started on Booktok, and get some interest through early reviews. I’ve got a good relationship with quite a few bookstores in the city and along the east coast.” Thanks to my parents, I had personal relationships withdozensof bookstore owners. “We’d have to keep it small, but I think we could do it.”

Imani’s eyes lit up. “Bristol would be a wonder on tour. She’s the most dedicated woman I’ve ever had the pleasure of working with, Ms. Ellis.”

“Please. Call me Jessica—or Jess. I feel we will talk alotin the future.”

Genuine pleasure lit her eyes, and she smiled. “Then you’ll have to call me Imani.”

A half-hour later, I left the coffee shop and headed back up the street to Broker Publishing.

I had a good feeling about this project. Our women’s self-help line desperately needed a book like this to gain some traction. With a little luck, that was exactly what I planned to do.

Back at work, I ran a hand down Jami’s now empty desk and swallowed hard. Our friendship had begun the moment we’d met at NYU and became roommates. It’d seemed almost too good to be true when we’d both landed a job here not long after graduation. She was the closest thing to a sister I had, and it was killing me knowing I would not see her every day at work now.

I’d help find her something else—something better—I’d make sure of it.

I headed into my office to sort my notes for the Bristol Hayden deal. We needed to come up with a budget and marketing plan, get everything sealed up nice and tight before presenting the offer.

I could make her a star. I knew I could. Put this book up there with the big dogs.

And maybe, just maybe, that would help me figure out how to save my parents’ store too.

FOUR

DERRICK

A tableoutside on the patio wasn’t my favorite way to dine, even in decent weather, but I’d been so irritated by my fit of stupid guilt that I’d forgotten to tell Anamaria to call and reserve a table.

When Drew and I arrived at the restaurant, the place was buzzing. The maitre d apologized and led us to the only available table where we sat, tucked up against a rustic brick barrier separating us from the sidewalk traffic.

“Stop scowling,” Drew said with a chuckle, his bright blue eyes full of amusement. “You can suffer through an hour of rubbing elbows with the masses.”

“You’re an asshole,” I told him.

“I’m a delight,” he replied. “And everyone knows it.”

The asshole was right. I might’ve been the public face of Broker Publishing and Drew was the brains, but anyone who actually knew the two of us always preferred him over me.

Well, unless they wanted a great fuck. In that case, the ladies came to me.

He skimmed the menu and then placed it on the table. “I think I’ll try the special.”

I perused the menu another minute, then took a long drink of the scotch the server had brought without needing my order. Our table might not have been the best, but at least they remembered what we liked to drink.

“I assume you’re getting your usual.”

I slanted him a dark look. “Meaning?”

“Meaning…I assume you’re getting your usual.” Drew rolled his eyes. “You’re in one shitty mood today. What happened—you had to deal with your dad or something?”

“No.” I looked away, rubbing my forehead as my headache threatened to make a reappearance. “Don’t bring him up. He’ll telepathically sense it and call. That’s the last thing I need right now.”

As I glanced across the street, my eye caught a sexy red haired woman in a form-fitting dress of pale, shimmery gray that clung to her, the cut of the skirt designed to hug every curve. Her long strides revealed a few more inches of sleek, toned thigh, and I gave her legs the attention they deserved. Something about her seemed familiar. Maybe I’ve seen her at the bondage club I sometimes hit with Drew?

“She’s a sexy little piece, isn’t she?” I murmured. “Damn, look at that ass.”

She opened the door to a shop and walked in, her delicious ass disappearing from view before I could fully appreciate it.

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