Page 30 of Bad for Business
“This publicist-client relationship seems to be going great,” Beck observes, a smile spreading across his face.
“It’d be going great if Ryker would just let me do my job instead of fighting me at every turn,” Camille mutters.
“I’m only fighting you because I don’tneedyourhelp,” I spit out. It isn’t lost on me that if anyone else were my publicist, I don’t think I’d be acting like this.
Camille’s angry glare stays pinned on me. “Why are you making this harder? We were making progress, and then you just went and disappeared on me for a day. And now, when I’m just wanting to join you in a conversation with Beck about how to make your board happy, you’re trying to get rid of me.”
“Because I do want to get rid of you,” I immediately answer. I give her a smile, hoping she can see the truth in my words. I don’t like having to live by her stupid plans and have her silly debriefs every single night. I don’t like being bossed around by her, and I certainly don’t like the fact that, for some reason I can’t comprehend, I get jealous at the mere sight of her laughing with Jude, someone I’ve known—and called a friend—for years.
Camille stares at me for a few seconds. She doesn’t say a word. All she does is slide her gaze over my face. She presses her lips into a thin line, not bothering to hide her displeasure. Finally, her shoulders rise and fall as she takes a deep breath. “I need a minute,” she whispers, pushing her chair away from the table.
I open my mouth to speak, but no words come out. I don’t know what to say to her. She’s doing exactly what I want her to do. She’s leaving me alone. But for some reason, the look on her face doesn’t sit right with me.
I watch her storm out of the restaurant. It looks like she might go into the employee women’s locker room, but I can’t exactly tell from where I sit. I sigh, staring at the spot where she just vanished.
Guilt washes over me as I wonder if I might regret telling her I want to get rid of her. The words are true; I do want to get rid of her. But I didn’t tell her that the biggest reason I need to get away from her is because she’s infiltrating my dreams and my mind, and I hate it.
My skin prickles as I feel Beck’s gaze on my cheek. I stare straight ahead, not ready to meet his eyes yet. I know heprobably has questions, and I don’t want to answer any of them. I can’t because I don’t even know the answers myself.
I pinch the bridge of my nose and sigh. I close my eyes for a moment as I gather myself before looking at Beck.
He smirks. “I have to know more about what’s going on.”
My entire body tenses at his words. “Nothing’s going on. She’s just the bane of my existence, and I want to get rid of her.”
He slowly nods for a minute. “Is she really that bad? She seems to just want to do her job.”
“She can go do her job with someone else. I don’t need her help.”
Beck grabs his drink from the table and takes a sip. His eyes stay on me the entire time.
I sit quietly, waiting to hear whatever he’ll say next.
“Okay,” he finally responds, lifting his shoulder.
“Okay?” I repeat, wondering if I’m hearing him right. I was expecting him to give some kind of wisdom on why I need to listen to my publicist.
“I’m not here to tell you what to do. If you don’t think you need her help, then don’t use her.” His eyes flick over to the entrance where, moments ago, Camille fled. “But I know she’s good at her job. Everyone talks about her in the city. If you’re open to it, I think listening to her might benefit you.”
My lips press into a thin line as I think about his words. He says them so matter-of-factly. It’s obvious he isn’t here to lecture me on what to do, and I appreciate that.
I let out a long breath of air as my shoulders sag in defeat. “Fuck. Am I stuck with her?”
Beck chuckles before taking another drink. “That’s up to you to decide. Either way, you should probably go check on her.”
I scowl. I don’t know if Camille has ever been someone who needs to be checked on. She strikes me as the type who probably hates that sort of thing, but I don’t know that for sure. With asigh, I push my chair away from the table and stand up to go find her.
EIGHTEEN
CAMILLE
I rushinto the first room I can find. It’s technically the staff women’s locker room, and I know that I probably shouldn’t be in here, but I need two minutes to regain my composure in private before facing Ryker once again.
I take a deep breath as I press my body against the door. It only takes a few seconds for me to realize I’m not alone.
Two women stare back at me, curiosity in both of their gazes.
I sigh, trying not to feel embarrassed by bursting in on the two of them. “Don’t mind me,” I tell them, trying to keep my voice calm.
