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attention back to her notebook. “What else?”
    “Write
a press release. Send it to all the entertainment editors. I think Amy had a
list somewhere on the computer.”
    “What
do you want it to say?”
    “I
don’t know. Come up with something. Bring it in, and we’ll work from there.
Make it clear that the breakup is my idea. But don’t make me look bad. Save her
skin, if you have to. Say it was mutual, due to differing work schedules…or
some shit like that.”
    “Got
it.” She nodded. Gunther strode into his office and closed the door. The phone
rang. Already the vultures are circling? She
picked it up. “Gunther Quill Productions,” she said.
    “Erica?
Erica Wheeler? Is that you?”
    “Who’s
this?”
    “Mac.
Mac Caldwell. From Kensington State? I can’t believe I recognized your voice.
It’s been what, eight years?”
    “Oh
my God, Mac! How are you?”
    “I’m
fine. You’re working with Gunther?”
    “You
know him?”
    “He’s
one of our biggest contributors. He graduated from Kensington State, too.”
    A
huge lump formed in the pit of Erica’s stomach. Shit. The truth is about to break.
    “Is
he in?”
    Searching
her mind for an excuse, she came up blank. “Sure. Just a sec.” Her hands became
cold and clammy, and her heart rate doubled. Dammit!
    Before
she could buzz him, he buzzed her. “Who is that, some nosy reporter?”
    “Mac
Caldwell from Kensington State,” she said.
    “Mac?
No kidding. Put him through.”
    Erica
did the transfer then put the receiver down. Should I pack up now or do the press release before he fires me. Maybe
I should call Tiffany Cowles. That would be the nice thing to do.
    She
picked up the phone and dialed.

 
 
 
 
    Chapter
Four

 
    “Hey,
Mac! How’s it hangin ’, buddy?”
    “Gunther,
you rat, good . Good. You?”
    “Can’t
complain. Just dumped my fiancée, but otherwise, business is good.”
    “Yeah,
read about it this morning.”
    “Is
that why you’re calling?”
    “Want
to invite you to a fundraiser.” Mac gave him all the details.
    “If
I’m in New York, I’ll definitely come.”
    “Great.
Hey, you’re a lucky guy.”
    “How
so?”
    “Erica
Wheeler works for you.”
    “You
know Erica?”
    “Sure
do. She worked here in the dean’s office all four years while she went to
school.”
    “She
went to Kensington State?” Gunther pushed to his feet and started to pace. His
breath caught in his throat. She lied to
me? First Elsa, now Erica? Say it isn’t so.
    “One
of our finest graduates. She’s a hard worker. Real businesslike, but she has a
good sense of humor, too. Anything going on between you two?”
    “Nah.
Strictly business.” He closed his free hand into a fist. “It’s all rumors,
Mac.” The two men laughed.
    “Be
sure to let me know if you’re going to be in New York. You’ll be the guest of
honor.”
    “I’ll
try.” He gritted his teeth.
    “Great.
Take it easy.”
    “You,
too.” Gunther put the phone down then kicked the wastepaper basket across the
room. It crashed into the credenza, sending glasses tumbling to the carpet.
Nothing broke, but the commotion brought Erica in. Betrayal! Two-faced little liar!
    Erica cracked the door a little.
    “Was any of that aimed at in this
direction?”
      “Come in…my little liar.” His falsely sweet
voice masked the rage in his chest.
    She
entered slowly, seeming to shrink as she backed against the wall.
    “Don’t
be shy.” His tone was clipped, his manner formal and restrained. I should take her over my knee. Nah, she
might like that.
    She
hesitated then remained near the exit, not moving, as if prepared to run.
    “So
you went to an Ivy League college, did you? I didn’t know Kensington State qualified
as Ivy League.” He paced with his hands joined behind his back, his eyes on
her.
    “I
can explain…”
    “Oh,
I’m sure you can. It’s still a lie. Got this job under false pretenses.” He
spit the words at her.
    She
was silent.
    He
turned to