“On the contrary, I’m as serious as can be,” Tricia says. “After Chris’s recent … appearances in the media …” She raises her eyebrows at him disapprovingly. “Well, let’s just say that he could use someone with a brain.”
I smile and frown at the same time. “I know he could use one, but that doesn’t mean he needs me.”
“Hey!” Chris says, cocking his head. “I’m not that bad.”
“Oh? Remember that time the media found out about that girl you were seeing? The one who was already married to one of the richest guys in town? The same girl who had journalist connections?” Leo smirks, taking a drink of his champagne. “I remember that didn’t go too well. What a mess. Had to avoid looking at the newspapers for weeks.”
“Who cares? Why does anyone care?” Chris says. “Screw the newspapers.”
“Well, unlike you, I actually like reading the news from time to time,” Leo muses.
Chris shoves him. “Oh, fuck off.”
“Calm down, boys,” Tricia says. “The point is that we need someone to manage whatever comes in and out in terms of communication. Someone like you.” She looks at me directly, and I’m pointing at myself as if I can’t believe she’s actually talking to me.
“Me? You want me to work for Chris?”
“Well … yes.”
I laugh. Then I laugh some more until it feels like I’m breaking ribs. I can’t believe this shit.
“No. Oh god, no.”
“What’s so funny, sis?” Chris says.
“Stop calling me sis,” I say. “I’m not working for you.”
“Why not?” Tricia says.
“There’s no way I’d ever be able to fix … that.” I circle my finger around in the air where Chris is standing.
“So much hate,” Chris says. “I can almost feel it burn.”
I make a face at him. “Come here and I’ll give you some heat.”
“Oh, I like that challenge,” he jokes, licking his lips. “Bring it on. I can take your sizzle.”
God, he can get so infuriating sometimes with the way he tries to get me all riled up. I don’t understand why people can’t see it, but then again, his good looks must blind them. All those muscles are in the way of seeing the truly despicable character hidden underneath.
“Emily,” Tricia says. “I’m serious.”
“About what?” I say, feigning ignorance. The thing is, I don’t want to talk about it, but she won’t let it rest.
“You should be Chris’s PR lady.”
With a completely blank face, I say, “No.”
She frowns. “Well, why not?”
I cross my arms over my chest. “That’s my business.”
“Yeah, why not, sis?” Chris muses, rubbing his lip with his thumb.
He’s taunting me, and it makes me want to punch him, but I’m not going to ruin my day by fighting him. Oh no, I’m going to walk away from this one, starting right now.
“I have to go,” I say, putting down my glass.
“Hold up,” Chris says.
“I’m not going to be your spokesperson, Chris,” I growl, looking back over my shoulder.
“Too late,” Tricia says. “I’ve already asked the company you worked for.”
My jaw drops as I turn around. “You did what?”
Her eyebrow rises. “You heard me. Chris needs someone with your expertise. You should see it as a compliment.”
“I don’t. I’m not going to work for you.” I look at Chris. “End of story.”
“Oh, c’mon, Emily. Don’t be such a party pooper,” Chris says, cocking his head while frowning.
“Leave her alone, Chris,” Leo says. “She said no.”
“Thank you,” I say, directing my attention toward Leo. Taking a deep breath, I say, “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have real business to attend to.”
“Why are you walking away, Em?” Chris says. “You never used to do that back in the day …”
I ignore his taunt, holding my head high. Not for a second do I think of what he means or what ‘back in the day’ implies. Nope. Not at all.
As I walk out, I can’t help but almost trip over my own shoes as Chris says, “I’ll see you tomorrow.”
Something tells me that they’re not going to let this rest.
Chapter 3
Emily
“Happy birthday!” I say, kissing Alyssa, my coworker, on her cheeks. Then I hand her the bouquet of flowers I was hiding behind my back.
“Oh, wow, you didn’t have to do that,” she says with a bright smile.
“Yes, I did. It’s your birthday!” I say, as she smells them.
“True; I just hate the number that’s attached to it.” She sniggers.
“One more day to feel alive,” I say. “Don’t tell me you’re not celebrating …”
“Hmm …”
I give her a soft nudge. “Oh, c’mon! We gotta celebrate. Let’s go for a drink after work.”
“Maybe. I still have a buttload of work to do.” Alyssa peers at the stack of papers on the other end of her desk.
“Oh, forget about them. One day won’t hurt.” I shrug. “This is more important. It’s your birthday. You need to have a good time, too.”
“Hmm, maybe. I’ll think about it.”
“You do that. In the meantime, I’m going to throw my own party over there,” I point at my desk, “and make you so jealous, you’ll have no other choice but to say yes.”
She smiles. “Ha, good luck!”
“I’ll happily take that challenge.” I wink and then walk off.
Just as I sit down behind my desk, the door to my boss’s office opens.
“Emily, I have a new one for you!” she shouts across the office.
I turn in my chair. “Really? Who? It’s been a while since I got a new client.”
“Yeah, well, you’re the only one they’ll take.” She throws a stack of papers on my desk. “Looking at the amount of shit that comes with it, I wish you good luck.”
Frowning, I grab the papers and sift through them. When I see Chris’s face flash by, I freeze, drop the papers, and look up at her.
“Nuh-uh. No. No way.”
My boss raises her eyebrow. “What’s the problem?”
“I’m not taking this guy.” I push the papers toward her so she’ll pick them up again.
She puts her hand on her side. “Look, I know he’s probably loads of trouble to manage, but at least you’ll have another client.”
“Hey, I have clients,” I say, folding my arms.
“You mean that one wannabe star who grabs every petty job she can find?”
“She’s not a wannabe star.”
My boss now also raises her eyebrows.
I sigh. “All right, fine, yes, she’s the only one I have right now, but I’m working on her to improve her business, okay?”
“Mmhmm …” My boss rolls her eyes. “You do realize this is your chance to prove yourself, right?”
Oh, shit. Does she mean she still doesn’t think I’m capable of performing this job? Crap, I don’t want to lose my job.
“I’ll do more, I promise,” I say, grabbing the phone. “I’ll call her right now to schedule some new interviews.”
My boss presses the button on the phone, canceling the call. “I didn’t mean your previous client.” She leans forward on my desk. “You’re gonna take this job, whether you like it or not.”
“So, I don’t have a choice?”
“If you put it that way … I guess not.” She shrugs and then smiles. “Look, I’m sure it’s not as bad as it sounds.”
“You don’t know that.”
“And you do?” She stares me down again.
“As a matter of fact, yes; he’s my … stepbrother.” I clear my throat.
She nods. “Right …”
“You already knew that?”
“Of course, I did. I brief potential clients on everything. The funny thing is that I wasn’t going to give this one to you, but he insisted.”
“That bastard,” I mutter.
“What?”
I look up at her and cough. “Ah, nothing.”
“I know you don’t want to be bothered with your brother’s stunts, but at least I know you’ll take good care of him,” she says, pushing the papers back into my hand. “You’re his sister. You know him better than anyone does. Just take it.”