“Unfortunately, I am.”
“When…when did this happen?”
“I…uh…recently.”
“How recently? This morning? Last night?” Harlow watched Robert squirm as she continued pressing him about the exact timing.
He muttered something unintelligible under his breath.
“When?”
“Friday. It was Friday.”
She pinned him with a hard stare. “Before or after you hounded me to sign the contract?”
“Look, you’re a professional,” he deflected. “If anyone can handle Flynn, it’s you.”
She leaned in and lowered her voice. “You knew, didn’t you? That’s why you were bugging me to sign.”
“C’mon, Harlow. It’s no big deal.”
“No big deal,” she exploded. “Derrick Flynn is a first-class jerk. Everyone in Hollywood knows it. No one wants to work with him.”
“That’s not true.”
“No?” She clenched her fists, struggling to remain calm. “Then maybeyoushould spend hours on end dealing with him.”
A flicker of fear crossed Robert’s face. “What are you saying?”
“I’m saying I have half a mind to back out of the contract.”
“You can’t unless you want to kiss your career goodbye.”
“I don’t need money. I have enough to live comfortably for the rest of my life.”
“Quit with the temper tantrum.”
Harlow gritted her teeth. “You blindsided me. You knew Flynn had been offered the deal, not caring about what I’ll have to put up with for weeks, months, however long filming takes.”
The conversation paused when the server arrived with their food. Harlow stared at the Greek salad and side of dolmades, no longer hungry. Robert was her manager. He was supposed to be on her side.
She picked at her food, a glum expression on her face.
“It’s not the end of the world.”
“Says you. I forgot the exact number we negotiated. How much are we making on this contract?”
Robert rattled off the considerable sum…money Harlow could bank, invest and put into her retirement. The movie was another feather in her cap, one she’d been thrilled to land…until today.
“It should’ve been higher. We should have negotiated PITA pay.”
He laughed out loud. “At least you haven’t lost your sense of humor. Seriously, I’m sorry it happened the way it did. Believe it or not, you and Flynn signed at almost the same time. I would have given you a heads-up had I known.”
Their eyes met, and Harlow shrugged. “At least I don’t have to live with him.”
“See? You’re already looking at the bright side.” He reached across the table and patted her hand. “I have faith in you, Harlow. You’ll cruise through this project like the star you are.”
Her scalp tingled, and she shivered involuntarily. It was the feeling she got whenever the paparazzi were stalking her. “Do you feel it?”
