clapping his hands slowly.
“Very good,” he says. “I’d hire you on the spot, and ten more like you.”
“Thank you.” I beam with pride.
“Next question. Is Dylan Wolf worth a million dollars?”
My heart leaps up into my throat. Why’s he asking me? Of course I’ll say yes. I’d say anything to help Dylan.
“Wait,” he says, holding up a shiny quarter between his fingers. “Let’s make it interesting.”
“Dylan’s very talented,” I say. “Plus he’s likable, and he has star quality…” I trail off under the intimidating stare coming from Mr. Morris and his emerald green eyes.
“I’d be taking quite a risk to sign the young man,” he says. The quarter dances back and forth across his knuckles like magic. “But you’re the one who could lose everything. If Dylan takes this deal, your budding puppy love affair won’t last a month. So, Jessica. Do you love him?”
My voice comes out a scratchy whisper. “I barely know him.”
He flips the coin high in the air.
My heart feels like it’s in my throat.
He snatches the coin easily, and slaps it against the top of his other hand.
“Your call,” he says. “His new songs are terrible, but I believe he can do better. Call the coin, and if you’re right, I’ll authorize the deal.” He pauses. “God help us all.”
“Heads.”
He slowly lifts his hand away. I lean forward, straining to see the shining surface. In that moment, I know.
I do love Dylan.
But it’s a selfish love, because I’m praying the coin is tails.
“Heads,” he says.
I smile and nod. I should be thrilled. Dylan’s going to get his deal, and he’ll be happy. If I really, truly loved him, I’d want the best for him.
But here I am, secretly hoping he’ll stay a street busker in LA. So we can hang out more.
He deserves better than me.
Mr. Morris picks up the phone and starts making a call.
I take this as my cue to leave, and walk out the door.
He calls after me. “Jessica, stop off at the ninth floor for your consolation prize.”
“Okay,” I mumble.
Chapter 12
After I leave the tenth floor, I stop on the ninth to see Stephanie.
She has her assistant fetch me a fresh coffee and a magazine while she makes calls.
Stephanie talks to Mr. Morris, then books the best hotel room she can get at short notice. She even orders room service.
I get a text message from Dylan:
Blue Shoes. I’m going into the meeting now. Don’t tell them I’m nervous. I’ve got the bodyguards with me. You know what? I don’t think the bodyguards Q assigned are to protect me. I think they’re here to hold me back if I get… passionate. But don’t worry. I’m saving all my passion for you.
Dylan
I text him back to wish him good luck.
“I bet you’re excited to celebrate,” Stephanie says. “You may do this a dozen times in your career, but there’s no time like the first.”
I just keep flipping magazine pages, pretending to read about celebrities. Inside, I’m horrified. Stephanie is suggesting I’ll go to a hotel room to celebrate with other, different guys.
Screw that. I’m quitting this job as soon as Dylan gets his money.
I just have to play it cool a few more days.
Stephanie’s on the phone again. “She’ll be there in twenty minutes.”
She hangs up, and starts motioning for me to get going.
“I can sit in on the meeting upstairs?”
“Not a chance. You’re going to the spa to get every inch of you waxed and massaged.”
“I’d rather just stick around here, thanks.”
She hands me an address. “Do as you’re told.”
I take the card, silently cursing her.
“A driver will be waiting out front,” she says.
I frown. I was planning to go straight home, but I guess today’s not about me getting what I want.
I take the elevator down to the archives. Nick isn’t around.
I gather up my bag and other things. It’s too bad I can’t take the flowers, since I might not be back Monday.
Outside, a sleek towncar is waiting for
“Very good,” he says. “I’d hire you on the spot, and ten more like you.”
“Thank you.” I beam with pride.
“Next question. Is Dylan Wolf worth a million dollars?”
My heart leaps up into my throat. Why’s he asking me? Of course I’ll say yes. I’d say anything to help Dylan.
“Wait,” he says, holding up a shiny quarter between his fingers. “Let’s make it interesting.”
“Dylan’s very talented,” I say. “Plus he’s likable, and he has star quality…” I trail off under the intimidating stare coming from Mr. Morris and his emerald green eyes.
“I’d be taking quite a risk to sign the young man,” he says. The quarter dances back and forth across his knuckles like magic. “But you’re the one who could lose everything. If Dylan takes this deal, your budding puppy love affair won’t last a month. So, Jessica. Do you love him?”
My voice comes out a scratchy whisper. “I barely know him.”
He flips the coin high in the air.
My heart feels like it’s in my throat.
He snatches the coin easily, and slaps it against the top of his other hand.
“Your call,” he says. “His new songs are terrible, but I believe he can do better. Call the coin, and if you’re right, I’ll authorize the deal.” He pauses. “God help us all.”
“Heads.”
He slowly lifts his hand away. I lean forward, straining to see the shining surface. In that moment, I know.
I do love Dylan.
But it’s a selfish love, because I’m praying the coin is tails.
“Heads,” he says.
I smile and nod. I should be thrilled. Dylan’s going to get his deal, and he’ll be happy. If I really, truly loved him, I’d want the best for him.
But here I am, secretly hoping he’ll stay a street busker in LA. So we can hang out more.
He deserves better than me.
Mr. Morris picks up the phone and starts making a call.
I take this as my cue to leave, and walk out the door.
He calls after me. “Jessica, stop off at the ninth floor for your consolation prize.”
“Okay,” I mumble.
Chapter 12
After I leave the tenth floor, I stop on the ninth to see Stephanie.
She has her assistant fetch me a fresh coffee and a magazine while she makes calls.
Stephanie talks to Mr. Morris, then books the best hotel room she can get at short notice. She even orders room service.
I get a text message from Dylan:
Blue Shoes. I’m going into the meeting now. Don’t tell them I’m nervous. I’ve got the bodyguards with me. You know what? I don’t think the bodyguards Q assigned are to protect me. I think they’re here to hold me back if I get… passionate. But don’t worry. I’m saving all my passion for you.
Dylan
I text him back to wish him good luck.
“I bet you’re excited to celebrate,” Stephanie says. “You may do this a dozen times in your career, but there’s no time like the first.”
I just keep flipping magazine pages, pretending to read about celebrities. Inside, I’m horrified. Stephanie is suggesting I’ll go to a hotel room to celebrate with other, different guys.
Screw that. I’m quitting this job as soon as Dylan gets his money.
I just have to play it cool a few more days.
Stephanie’s on the phone again. “She’ll be there in twenty minutes.”
She hangs up, and starts motioning for me to get going.
“I can sit in on the meeting upstairs?”
“Not a chance. You’re going to the spa to get every inch of you waxed and massaged.”
“I’d rather just stick around here, thanks.”
She hands me an address. “Do as you’re told.”
I take the card, silently cursing her.
“A driver will be waiting out front,” she says.
I frown. I was planning to go straight home, but I guess today’s not about me getting what I want.
I take the elevator down to the archives. Nick isn’t around.
I gather up my bag and other things. It’s too bad I can’t take the flowers, since I might not be back Monday.
Outside, a sleek towncar is waiting for
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