“We’ll need coordinated press strategies for all promotional interviews. Junkets, appearances, all of it—approved in advance, consistent messaging, no surprises.”
We nod as a collective group. I think if we were to add everything up, this meeting would be mostly Victoria talking and the rest of us nodding.
“Mr. Wilder and Ms. Archer,” she says, looking to Luke and then to me. “The two of you will work together as one PR team for these clients until further notice.”
My eyes widen before I purposefully school them. I look to Luke, who’s calm and composed. I raise my hand before I realize what I’m doing.
Victoria lets out a resigned sigh. “Yes, Ms. Archer?”
“How will that work, exactly? Mr. Wilder and I don’t represent a team; we represent individuals with different requirements.”
“Yes, and that’s the problem entirely,” Victoria says, her lips pulling into a thin line. “We need your clients to come together as a team.” She sets down her paper, placing her elbows on the table. “We have invested significantly in this franchise and will not allow personal drama to threaten that investment. The expectations I’ve outlined are not suggestions.”
The room goes quiet. Even Paul Lin seems to sit up straighter.
Well, crap. I don’t have a response for that, except for pointing a finger at Luke and saying he started it. Which I don’t think would go over well in present company.
How am I in this situation again—Luke and I working together? It’s true that we spent yesterday afternoon doing just that. But on a regular, semipermanent basis? With no end in sight?
Victoria goes on to tell us that all strategies will need to be approved by the studio and that we are required to submit weekly reports on our clients’ statuses and possibly something else I missed because I tuned out for a minute while I had a momentary freak-out about working with Luke.
“One last thing,” Victoria says, looking around the room. “I don’t think I should have to verbalize this, but if either client steps out of line, contracts will be reviewed and both PR teams will face consequences, up to and including termination.”
So, my job is on the line. Fantastic. Victoria can’t fire me directly, but she can make Bailey change representation, and that would look bad for the firm and for me. It could even be the end of my career. I’d really have to lean into mattress testing then.
“That’s all we have,” Victoria says, laying the paper down. “Does anyone have any objections to the plan?”
She looks around the room, and no one says anything. We’re all too smart to go against this woman, even if I’d like to. Although my only objection here is to working with Luke.
Paul and Victoria leave first, and then the rest of us exit. The feeling is ominous. It’s not like she asked us to get water from the moon. There’s nothing impossible on that list. But that’s how it feels.
Luke lets River and his manager walk ahead, slowing his pace to wait for me. “I guess it’s you and me again, Archie.” He givesme a smile, the corners of his eyes crinkling before he falls into step with me, Bailey trailing behind with Kara.
“I guess so,” I say, hiking the strap of my computer bag up my shoulder.
“You don’t seem excited,” he says, giving me a teasing grin. It’s very Luke. “We used to make a good team, you and me.”
Once upon a time, we did. And maybe that’s the problem.
“Yes, and you ruined that,” I say. I don’t know why I say it—it’s rude and uncalled for. But my frustration from being strong-armed by the studio is bubbling over.
Luke’s smile drops, and he stops walking. I stop too, turning toward him. I should apologize, but an expression crosses his face and stops me—something I don’t recognize in him that contradicts his normally cool and unbothered demeanor. He starts to say something but stops himself and then swipes a hand down his face.
“I’ll try my best not to ruin anything this time,” he says before walking around me and toward the exit.
Chapter 15
PR Tip #47:The real work starts when you stop performing and start problem solving.
“Why are you cleaning like we’re expecting a visit from the pope?” Sam asks, curled up on the green couch, watching me as I’m balanced on a chair in the living room, a towel in my hand, trying to wipe down the blades of the ceiling fan. “Isn’t it just Luke Wilder coming over?”
I scowl at her from my perch. “Yes, and it’s a work meeting. I’m trying to be professional.”
“By making the place spotless?”
“Exactly.”
“Sure,” she says, drawing out the word, giving me a look that saysI’m not buying any of that.
