"I don't." I tug my arm free of her death grip. I had to do the same with my knee in the middle of our interview. "Once the book is released I'll be hosting public readings at several bookstores in the city. My publicist is the go-to for that."
Cheyenne waves as I turn to look at her.
"I've always wanted to write a book." Pamela wags her finger at me. "You'd be an incredible teacher. Will you mentor me?"
There's no way in hell that's going to happen. I can handle myself with virtually every woman I've ever met, but this one looks ready to pounce. She reminds me of my older sister, so that makes her completely off-limits.
"I don't offer mentorship." I smile as I scan the sparsely furnished studio space. There are bleachers that I assume are for the audience that typically views the taping of the show. Today, those are empty. "You're killing it at this job, Pam. This is a much better fit for you than the morning show."
"You remember me from Rise and Shine?" Her eyes widen. "I didn't realize that you were a fan, Nick."
I'm not. On the ride over, Cheyenne handed me a sheet of paper with ten pointers about Pamela. It's my publicist's way of breaking the ice. If I go into an interview prepared, I have more control. Today was no exception. I asked Pamela about her timespent in London where my first book was set and that helped her loosen up.
"I caught the show a few times," I segue smoothly. "I remember you had a great rapport with Cadence Sutton, the chef."
"Cadence?" She straightens her stance. "You're probably thinking of the connection between her fiancé, Tyler Monroe, and me. He had no problem teaching me a few things in the kitchen."
I squeeze my eyes shut to ward off the image of Pamela nude next to a hot stove.
"Cadence is a friend of a friend."
"Ah," she says on a sigh. "She's on set today. You should stop by and say hi, or I can introduce you."
I like food. I love meeting beautiful women. What possible harm can come from a simple introduction between Sophia's best friend and me?
CHAPTER TWELVE
Sophia
"What the hell is this?"I look around the small restaurant eyeing every patron as I search for my best friend. "This doesn't make sense."
Nicholas is standing next to the table. The very same table that the hostess directed me to after I told her I was meeting someone for lunch. I specifically gave her the name the reservation was booked under.Sutton.
Since Cadence has been after me for weeks to try out this new vegan sandwich place, I agreed this morning through text. She told me to meet her here at noon sharp and that the reservation, for two, would be under her name.
It's been more than a week since I heard a peep from Nicholas. I thought he'd finally given up and although a small part of me wished he hadn't, I accepted it as fate. I had jotted down a note in my phone to find my own tech guy next week if I hadn't heard from Joe by then.
Now, I guess I can ask for Joe's number myself since Nicholas is my lunch date and not my best friend.
"Where's Cadence?" I cross my arms over my chest. "And why are you here?"
"Sit, Sophia." He rounds the table to pull on the back of the empty chair. "Please sit down and let me explain."
I catch a whiff of his cologne when he leans in to touch my arm. It's sophisticated and masculine and matches the way he looks today. He's dressed less casually, and more business-like in dark pants and a light blue sweater. "Don't touch me. I'm not sitting because I have no intention of staying. What have you done with Cadence? She's pregnant you know."
"You make it sound like I did something sinister to her." He wiggles his brows, his face mere inches from mine. "Cadence suggested I come. I met her this morning and she offered for me to take her place to have lunch with you."
"Cadence wouldn't do that to me," I say even though I know she would. Every day for the past week she's told me to reach out to Nicholas. I've complained about my schedule being too full and not having time to date, but her persistence hasn't waned.
Just this morning she told me that she'd force me to text him during lunch. It seems she decided to take action on her own.
"How did you meet her?" I take a deep breath to steady my pulse. "Did she call your publicist to get your number?"
His voice is even as he studies my face. "No, why would she do that?"
I purse my lips. "She's a fan of your work and I told her last week that we met."
"So you thought she was looking for an autograph or maybe another advance copy ofAction's Cause?"
