“That’s fight club, Dre. Come on, one more round and I’ll set you free.” She laughed when I flipped her off. “Tempting, but you’re banned from sex.” She winked.
She was attractive for sure. She had the perfect combination of blonde hair and blue eyes, and don’t even get me started on her boobs. But we had been working together for years, and I didn’t mix business with pleasure. Besides, I just didn’t see her that way.
By the end of our game, I had lost five to one, but at least I got a workout in. We turned in our paddles to the front desk and headed for the parking lot.
“You’re getting better, but you seem a little off today. Is everything alright?”
“Besides my self-inflicted dry spell, yes. I’m perfect.” The lie flew out.
I knew she didn’t buy it. “Drea.”
I sighed. I hated being vulnerable. “Fine. I’m a little on edge today, okay? On top of not getting laid, the store isn’t doing as well as I would like and I’m just a little stressed.”
“How bad is it?” Concern laced her voice.
“We’re not in the red or anything, but it’s not doing as well as it has in the past, and I would like to see it get there again. I don’t know what’s been going on.”
“It can be like that sometimes, especially with social media and access to ebooks. You just need to do something to gain attention and bring people in.”
I knew she was right. I just didn’t have a clue where to start. I’d been thinking about adding a little cafe or bar. Maybe a live music night or something, but it was expensive and risky to invest that kind of money if the store wasn’t already doing well enough.
“We had some speed dating events, but they didn’t bring in enough to change things, and I’m stuck. Do you have any ideas on where to start?” I asked.
“This is perfect timing, actually. I might have a business proposition for you, but I need you to hear me out before you immediately say no because I don’t think you’re going to like it, but I think it could be just what you need.”
I had a strong feeling that I knew exactly what she was going to say, and she was right, I wouldn’t like it. Not one bit.
Chapter Three
Blair
“Absolutely not. Forget it! Not a chance in hell!”
I was pretty sure my publisher had smoked something insanely strong before calling me, because she could not have suggested what I thought she was.
I heard a long sigh on the other end. “Blair, calm down and hear me out.”
I scoffed. “Calm down? Why don’t you calm down, Cara? I mean that respectfully, of course.”
Cara Wells had been my publisher for the past seven years, since the first book of my fantasy romance series had been released.
“Look, I know you’re upset. You two don’t have the greatest track record, and I get that, I really do. But I’m doing this as a favor. You’re a best-selling author now. It can only help your career, and it’s also good publicity for the bookstore.”
Saying we didn’t have the greatest track record was the understatement of the year. The first time I worked with Drea was a mess. It started out friendly and professional, but by the end I wanted to forget the whole thing. Every small request was like trying to run in quicksand.
She bought plain decorations that looked like they belonged behind a window of a second-hand store. I asked her for fresh baked goods and colorful flowers, but on the day of the book signing, it was a complete disaster.
The pastries looked as if they were baked by someone’s five-year-old, meant to be secretly thrown away after you praised the child for a great job. I was embarrassed and horrified.
When I confronted her, she accused me of being demanding and hard to please. Apparently, she had reviews from other authors praising her choice of vendors. Clearly, they were just trying to kiss her ass for a discount.
I reluctantly agreed to work with her a few more times after that, but after the last time, I vowed to never work with Drea Voss again.
She thought that just because she was British and had the legs of a Greek goddess, she could do whatever she wanted, and I wouldn’t stand for it.
“I don’t give a shit about what’s good for her store, and making me work with her is not doing me a favor!”
“Blair, I know it’s not ideal, but it’s business. She is willing to put her differences aside and start over.”
