In response, I start angrily tapping away, too, even though I’m actually writing a very pleasant email to a publicist I like a lot.
After a few moments of tense silence, Mimi sighs and says, “Peacetime was nice while it lasted.”
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
Max Sjöberg’s publicist, Mae, is very nice about her client now being interviewed by not one, but two journalists, and sitting on the train to Manchester the next day, I wonder whether I overreacted a bit. It wasn’t Ryan’s fault he was put in that position by Cosmo.
He actually messaged this morning to ask if I wanted to join him on the drive, but I tersely replied that I’d bought a ticketwhen I scheduled the interviewand wanted to do some work on the train. But I think his message was an olive branch, so I added, “Thanks for asking.”
And anyway, something good came out of yesterday’s chaos, because Mimi insisted that we go for a drink after work—according to her, I looked like I needed a large glass of rosé—and once we were in the pub, she had the perfect news to cheer me up.
“I’m sending you on a press trip next week,” she announced.
“What are you talking about?”
“You, my friend, are going to Florence, Italy, from Friday morning until Sunday. You are very welcome.”
I looked at her in bewilderment. “I’m not following.”
“There’s a press trip to a luxury hotel in Florence next Friday, a hotel that I’d very much like you to review for me. I already emailed the publicist, Sadie, giving her your name and details. She’ll be in contact with you for your passport, so she can book your tickets. It is going to be fabulous—Sadie is a good friend of mine, you’ll adore her.”
“Mimi! That sounds amazing, but I can’t go to Florence next weekend.”
“Why not? Do you have better plans?”
“No, but I can’t drop everything and go to Florence!”
“Yes, you can,” she insisted. “You never go on press trips and you work too hard. You deserve this, Harper. I want you to go and have a nice relaxing weekend. It’sFlorence. You can’t say no.”
“But don’t you want to go?”
“Harper, I go on loads of press trips. It’s about time that you take advantage of having the travel editor as your best friend. You’re always turning me down, but I refuse to let you this time. Everyone needs a holiday, and you are no exception.”
“Are you sure? You don’t want to offer it to someone else?”
“I wantyouto go,” she laughed. “I figured that since it’s over a weekend, you’d be more inclined to accept. You won’t miss any work. This will be good for you, Harper. You’re not allowed to think about who you should be interviewing or what piece will be the next hit or how Cosmo has slighted you—you need to get away andrelax. That’s all I ask.”
So this time next week I’ll be on my way to Italy for the weekend. Mimi is right. I haven’t taken time for myself for… well… ever, and I could do with a break.
My shoulders feel very tense all the time lately—largely because of work, but also because of Liam. When I apologetically told him I couldn’t make the Halo Skewed gig next Friday because I’d be on a work trip to Florence, his reply was:
Oh, that’s a shame but you can come to their gig the following week, right?? Florence would be amazing. Any chance you can get me a cheeky place on the trip, too?? Could use a holiday!
I wasn’t sure if he was joking, so I replied:
Haha, I wish! But think it’s journalists only. I’ll be sure to bring you back a cheesy keyring, though!
He didn’t respond and I haven’t heard anything from him this morning, either. Is he actually mad at me for not getting him a spot on a press trip?! Even if I could, I’m not sure I’d want him there. I’d really love some time to myself.
I know, I know. I should want my boyfriend to be there, shouldn’t I?
Ugh, my head hurts.
It aches even more when my phone starts vibrating on the tray table in front of me, and I see it’s Dad calling.
He’ll only keep calling until I pick up. Might as well get it over with now.
“Hello, Dad.”
