“You wanted to follow up.” It’s not a question. More of a statement of confirmed suspicion. “Sure. Pat should have already had your assistant put the meeting on the calendar, but the short version is TWA has accepted an offer to merge with The Manhattan Group. It’ll be months before anything goes through, but TWA needs to clean some things up, tightenup spending, get rid of dead weight, you know, the usual housekeeping before everything is final.”
I don’t hear what he says next because all I can think about is that this assignment could mean another shot with Blair.
“I can take lead.”
It’s out of my mouth before I can take it back.
I don’t know if I’ve ever seen my father speechless. Most days, I fight him on every account and spend all my effort avoiding working with him. I should have played this much cooler, but I had no fucking idea I would end up here first thing this morning. It’s like I was thinking of Blair and the universe spit me out on the top floor and into the arms of a project that would allow me to see her again.
“I’ll be lead, and Joe will handle the bulk of it. I wanted you to stay close for more experience with mergers and acquisitions,” my father says as he stands, indicating the conversation is over.
I clench my fists, still in my pockets, and work to keep my face neutral.
“I’ve worked dozens of M&A cases, and you know that I’m the most experienced associate when it comes to entertainment clients.” He knows I wanted to specialize in music and entertainment law, but that’s not our family’s legacy.
“Yes, I know. Unfortunately, I’ve let you waste too much of your time on frivolous work, and you’re still not a partner at thirty. You’d think the name on the door would be compelling enough to take advantage of the cases I try to assign you.”
My father is walking out the door, but now that I know the work will mean more time at the agency and with Blair, I pull out the only line I know will work—but also one I may come to regret.
“I’ve never asked you for any special treatment or favors. I’m asking for this. Make me lead, or at least second chair to you. I can handle this, and you know I’m the best suited for it, anyway.”
“See you at the meeting,” my father says as he vanishes around the corner.
I stand in his office, not knowing whether I’ve gotten through to him or, if I did, what it’s going to cost me later.
seven
. . .
BLAIR
“Hi,Lance. You here to see Blair?”
I hear Stella’s voice project deliberately in warning outside my door as I slide my laptop into my oversized Prada Carolyn Shopper tote. As usual, she only gets a curt nod from the self-loving narcissist as he walks right by her.
Lance walks over to the couch in my office and makes himself right at home. “Leaving early again, I see. I’m glad I could catch you before you disappeared on me.” He grabs a granola bar from the basket on the coffee table and leans back with a smirk, knowing I can’t leave until he does.
“I’m headed out for thePink Slippremiere. What can I help you with?” I sit back down at my desk, keeping my distance and the smile plastered on my face. I refuse to let him rattle me.
“I heard you went to see Sophia yesterday. My assistant said she secured passes for you.”
“Yes, thanks again. It was a brief visit. Just building the relationship.” I try to avoid sharing any details with him. He’s smart. There’s no way he doesn’t realize I’m after her. As arrogant as Lance is, he respects the lanes. He knows that mysigning Sophia is a win for everyone here so it won’t be a competition.
“It’ll be nice to see you sign someone. What’s it been, almost a year since you’ve brought on a new client?”
Asshole. Getting current talent signed onto new projects is just as important as bringing in new talent.
“Is there something specific you need from me, Lance?”
A chuckle escapes his lips as he leans back and crosses his right leg over his left knee in his classic power pose. Lance is objectively handsome, but like many men in this business, he’s compact. He claims to be five foot ten, which means closer to five foot eight or nine. He’s slim but has more of a retired golfer’s body, meaning he still does cardio but could stand to lift a few weights. He’s very charming and has a black belt in Hollywood politics. I couldn’t wait to work for him, and I loved it for a while until I made a mistake. Broke an unwritten rule. I tried to recover, but I learned quickly that I was never really on solid ground here, anyway. Nobody is. You’re only as good as the success you are having right at this moment.
“Well, it’s not public knowledge yet, but I trust you can keep a secret,” Lance teases.
I don’t respond.
“I’m sure you’ve heard the rumors from your little buddy Jess, but we have accepted an offer from The Manhattan Group. Assuming the board approves, and we get through the regulatory piece ok, we’ll be a new company by the beginning of next year.” Lance knows he just dropped a bomb, but what I can’t figure out is why he’s telling me this information.
“I hadn’t heard. Jess is a professional. She would never share confidential information with me.”
