The small intake of breath was a dead giveaway. Either she wasn’t happy that she’d been assigned to him, or was she simply passing judgment because he was being cast on a fluff show? He was used to being judged his entire life. It never got any easier. He’d learned to deal with it but it was more difficult with some people than others. Belle was one of those people.
“That’s excellent news.” She turned her head to look at him, her light brown eyes overly bright. Color touched her cheeks, her skin flawless.
She looked like she was about to cry.
Erik curled his fingers into fist, resisting the urge to cup her jaw. He was unsure what upset her. Except she didn’t really appear to be upset, more like dazed.
“Of course, I... I… well, I have a few questions. Well, more than a few questions.” She twisted in her seat, clutching the pen and yellow pad tight.
“I am sure you do but let’s focus on one thing at a time. When does the show start filming?” Howler asked, wearing a mischievous grin.
“May 15th is the two hour meet and greet special,” Belle said, a flush dotting her cheeks. “Have you been provided with a schedule?”
So she watched the show. No big surprise. Women made up the demographics for the program. Would she watch now that he was on it? Perhaps that was the reason for her odd behavior. “They’re emailing it to Howler, along with the signed contract.”
“I’ll forward it to Belle. She can get started on a marketing strategy and work with the PR people for the show.” Howler nodded at his own decision.
“Excellent.” The woman he’d been lusting after would be with him for the next few months. Except she’d be a work colleague. Shit. A few truths hit Erik all at once. Any iota of a chance he might have had with Belle on a personal level was erased.
Or was it?
Stop. Don’t go there. Except he wanted to, really, really bad.
Chapter Three
“I’m looking forward to working with you.” Belle stood next to Erik in the lobby of the agency, waiting for the elevator to come. Her mind was a jumble of thoughts, most good, but one very alarming. The man standing next to her. “I have a few potential sponsors in mind. How do you feel about commercials?”
“Watching them or being in one?” He cocked one blond brow, the cheerfulness in his eyes infectious.
“Being in one.” Heat rushed up her neck at the full impact of his stare.
The elevator door opened and he stepped inside. He held the door open with one wide palm. “I think I’d be on board.”
“All right, I’ll be in touch.” She was anxious to be out of his company for a myriad of reasons. Shock being the most prominent. He was her client and she had to be professional.
“Bye,” he said, dropping his hand.
“Bye.” Belle turned her back on him and strode across the lobby. She returned to Howler’s office, intent on getting some answers. After a quick knock, she entered.
He glanced up and she narrowed her eyes. “You’re such an asshole.”
Howler raked a hand through his dark hair, laughing at the insult. “So I’ve been told.”
“You could have given me a heads up.” She shook her head, still walking on a cloud of happiness, despite her chastisement. The agent position had been on her radar, ever since Walter got sick and needed help with his client list.
“You applied for the job. Are you telling me you don’t want it?” Dressed as usual in an impeccably cut suit and tie, he pushed his chair back and crossed his legs, ankle settling on one knee. The grandson to the woman who had fostered Belle, he’d come a long way from the wild boy she’d first met while she was in foster care.
“Of course I want it.” She brought her fingers to her mouth, unexpected moisture filling her eyes. It couldn’t be that easy, nothing in her life had ever been easy. She nodded, an unexpected lump in her throat. It took her seven years of school—working part time and ignoring her personal life— to obtain a dual degree in marketing and business. “I’m just saying, you could have given me a heads up.”
“What’s the fun in that? The opportunity presented itself and you were the best person for the job.” Twirling his wedding ring, he shook his head. His chuckle turned into a booming laugh that warmed her heart. “Yes, really. We’ll have to find you a replacement sooner rather than later. We’re bursting at the seams as it is. I’ve had worse problems than too much business. I’ve already called the temp agency and they’re sending someone over tomorrow. With Erik’s schedule, that’ll give you a few days to train whomever they send.”
“Will there be enough time to train them? I mean the show is coming up fast, and I, well, I need to dive in right away.” Breathe. Overwhelmed wasn’t a strong enough word to explain the thoughts ricocheting through her mind.
“Training your replacement isn’t your problem. Human resources will figure it out. I need you on this project as soon as possible. Have you texted J.J. the news yet? I assume you told him that you applied for the position?” Howler asked.
Guilt warred with her ongoing excitement. Her half-brother, J.J., just turned eighteen, a teenager with an old soul. Independent and smart, he’d been her biggest supporter. His grandfather—and guardian—had died a year before and J.J. had come to live with her. There was so much tragedy in his young life, she wanted to provide him with a better one. Her new job as agent would allow her to give him the education he deserved. “We’ve discussed the pros and cons and he’s on board with my decision. He flew to Spain yesterday.” The words caught in her throat. She’d found him and now he was gone. Granted, it was temporary but it didn’t make it any easier.
Howler frowned. “Wait, I thought he wasn’t doing the exchange program until the fall.”
