Read Online Chances & Choices by Helen Karol - Free Book Online
Authors: Helen Karol
Tags: Romance, Literature & Fiction, Coming of Age, Contemporary, Genre Fiction, New Adult & College, Teen & Young Adult, Inspirational
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never mind an in depth profile. He's really a very private person."
"I'm aware of that, but surely you can manage to persuade him. I understand you and he are quite – close."
Claire frowned, the mannerism adding interest rather than marring her features. "Yes, we've been friends for years, but I'm not sure I should take advantage of that fact."
Stella smiled. She knew the history of Julian and Claire's friendship, having made it her business to find out when she first thought of this project. She also knew that since Claire's return their relationship was fast developing into more than friendship. She wasn't sure if they were lovers yet, but the man seemed to care for Claire.
What Claire's feelings were Stella hadn't quite figured out yet - a fact that left her a little irritated. However, it wasn’t really important, what mattered were West's feelings for Claire and how they could be used to advantage. If it turned out Claire shared his feelings, and something came of it, all the better; she'd find a way to use that to advantage as well.
Looking at the woman in front of her, Stella wondered where the attraction lay. She was certainly beautiful, but Stella found her slightly insipid. How Richard had failed to manage her amazed her. But then, Richard had made the mistake of becoming obsessive. No doubt about it he was right; she had talent. Perhaps something imperceptible to herself smouldered beneath that smooth exterior. But that was really immaterial to her purpose. Stella pushed the thoughts from her mind and returned to the business at hand. Having anticipated Claire's doubts, she had planned on how to deal with them.
"Take advantage? Really, Claire, you would hardly be doing that. I'm sure the reason he doesn't give interviews is because he's suspicious of the treatment the reporter might use. He’s a great choice because he spans both our lifestyle focus of film and fashion given his marriage." She sat back preparing to completely destroy Claire's arguments, "And isn't he launching an entirely new line? The publicity could only help, and he needn't have to worry about the approach with you writing the article."
"Me!" Claire sat upright. "Oh, I don't think so, Stella. Greg would probably be a better choice."
"Don't be ridiculous, Claire, I wouldn't dream of insulting you by giving our cover story to a junior writer."
"Under the circumstances, I'd understand. Greg could be objective. Julian and I have known one another so long, I doubt if I could be."
"That's just it, I'm not striving for objectivity. We need an angle and you have the perfect angle - an insider’s perspective. The readers would love that, especially the younger women, and isn't that to whom his new line is directed?” She picked up a pencil, holding it between the index finger of each hand. “I believe you even knew his late wife."
"Oh no, we never met. I saw them together once at a party, about two years before I met Julian and a little under a year before she died; but we were never introduced." Claire's look was far away, remembering that scene. A quiver ran through her as the memory revealed to her Julian's tenderness and how much he was capable of loving. She looked at Stella without really seeing her. "They were very much in love."
"Yes, I hear it was quite the romance. He was considerably younger than her and it was rather tragic. Although, it was a long time ago and he seems to have recovered."
Claire flushed, suddenly aware of the woman's implications. Oh hell! What did she care what Stella Abbot thought!
On the other hand, it was all Stella could do to hide her delight. Her sources had insisted that Claire knew nothing of West's late wife, but she chanced the question in the hopes of such a revelation, and now that tell-tale flush revealed Claire's feelings were involved romantically. This was much better than she hoped for.
Claire might not
"I'm aware of that, but surely you can manage to persuade him. I understand you and he are quite – close."
Claire frowned, the mannerism adding interest rather than marring her features. "Yes, we've been friends for years, but I'm not sure I should take advantage of that fact."
Stella smiled. She knew the history of Julian and Claire's friendship, having made it her business to find out when she first thought of this project. She also knew that since Claire's return their relationship was fast developing into more than friendship. She wasn't sure if they were lovers yet, but the man seemed to care for Claire.
What Claire's feelings were Stella hadn't quite figured out yet - a fact that left her a little irritated. However, it wasn’t really important, what mattered were West's feelings for Claire and how they could be used to advantage. If it turned out Claire shared his feelings, and something came of it, all the better; she'd find a way to use that to advantage as well.
Looking at the woman in front of her, Stella wondered where the attraction lay. She was certainly beautiful, but Stella found her slightly insipid. How Richard had failed to manage her amazed her. But then, Richard had made the mistake of becoming obsessive. No doubt about it he was right; she had talent. Perhaps something imperceptible to herself smouldered beneath that smooth exterior. But that was really immaterial to her purpose. Stella pushed the thoughts from her mind and returned to the business at hand. Having anticipated Claire's doubts, she had planned on how to deal with them.
"Take advantage? Really, Claire, you would hardly be doing that. I'm sure the reason he doesn't give interviews is because he's suspicious of the treatment the reporter might use. He’s a great choice because he spans both our lifestyle focus of film and fashion given his marriage." She sat back preparing to completely destroy Claire's arguments, "And isn't he launching an entirely new line? The publicity could only help, and he needn't have to worry about the approach with you writing the article."
"Me!" Claire sat upright. "Oh, I don't think so, Stella. Greg would probably be a better choice."
"Don't be ridiculous, Claire, I wouldn't dream of insulting you by giving our cover story to a junior writer."
"Under the circumstances, I'd understand. Greg could be objective. Julian and I have known one another so long, I doubt if I could be."
"That's just it, I'm not striving for objectivity. We need an angle and you have the perfect angle - an insider’s perspective. The readers would love that, especially the younger women, and isn't that to whom his new line is directed?” She picked up a pencil, holding it between the index finger of each hand. “I believe you even knew his late wife."
"Oh no, we never met. I saw them together once at a party, about two years before I met Julian and a little under a year before she died; but we were never introduced." Claire's look was far away, remembering that scene. A quiver ran through her as the memory revealed to her Julian's tenderness and how much he was capable of loving. She looked at Stella without really seeing her. "They were very much in love."
"Yes, I hear it was quite the romance. He was considerably younger than her and it was rather tragic. Although, it was a long time ago and he seems to have recovered."
Claire flushed, suddenly aware of the woman's implications. Oh hell! What did she care what Stella Abbot thought!
On the other hand, it was all Stella could do to hide her delight. Her sources had insisted that Claire knew nothing of West's late wife, but she chanced the question in the hopes of such a revelation, and now that tell-tale flush revealed Claire's feelings were involved romantically. This was much better than she hoped for.
Claire might not
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