“See, something you both have in common. Aren’t we off to a great start already?”
We both looked at Cara, who put her hands up in surrender. “Okay, fine. Let's go somewhere and talk.”
“We can talk over there,” I said pointing to the couches in the corner. “Is that alright with you, Ms. Sterling?”
Cara gave me a cutting look, but I only shrugged in response. At least I was pretending to be nice.
Blair’s lips curled. “Of course, Ms. Voss. Thank you so much for asking.” Her response was sarcastic, and I barely suppressed an eyeroll.This is going to be a long project.
I grabbed my laptop from underneath the counter and followed them to the couch, ignoring the way my body heated watching Blair’s ass move in that dress.
Cara and Blair sat on one couch while I sat on the other with Kaia. I didn’t really need Kaia for this meeting, but it was always helpful to have an extra buffer between us.
“I want to start this meeting off by saying how appreciative I am to both of you for agreeing to this. I’d like the signing to be in a few months, so you won’t have that long to deal with each other. I know it’s not an ideal situation, but we are all grown adults, and I think we can put our childish differences behind us for the sake of business, don’t you agree?” Cara looked directly at me the entire time she spoke, as if I were somehow the problem.
I narrowed my eyes. “May I ask why you’re looking at me like that? It’s not like I’m the one who started this whole thing.”
“And what exactly does that mean?” Blair crossed her arms.
“Ladies, ladies, please. I think it would be a good idea to run some promotions before the signing. You know, really get the word out not only about Blair’s books, but about the store as well. This is a partnership, ladies. You are both getting something out of it.”
I tried, and failed, to hide my eye roll. What exactly was I getting out of it? More business, which meant more money, I guess. But working with Blair again, I wasn’t so sure it was going to be worth it.
It was all I could do to put a smile on my face. “Of course.”
Cara looked at me and sighed before turning her attention to her best friend. “Blair, is there anything specific you expect from Drea and Kaia?”
Her shoulders slouched slightly and she sighed. “I expect professionalism and competency. The bare minimum, but still somehow too much to ask for when it comes to Ms. Voss.”
I scoffed, but Cara didn’t let me protest before she cut in. “That is easy enough. Drea, what about you?”
“I can’t speak for Kaia, but I expect to work with someone who has a shred of class and knows when to get off her high horse.” I sighed when Cara shot me a threatening glare. “I expect communication, honesty, and patience. We can only do so much. We do still have a business to run after all.”
“Okay, see, we’re getting somewhere. All of that sounds reasonable. I’ll draft up a contract with estimated capacity numbers, as well as a blueprint for our typical signing set up, and you can let me know if you have any questions. Does that sound fair?” she asked.
“Perfect. Are we done here? I have things to do, and I don’t want to take up anymore of the queen’s time.”
Blair rolled her eyes, but Cara interjected before she had a chance to say anything. “I think that covers it for now.”
“Good. Well, Blair, as always, it was not a pleasure, and I look forward to when this whole thing is over, and you can take whatever stick is glued up your ass and?—”
“Drea!” Cara interrupted through gritted teeth.
“Talk about class. I’m sorry, but I’m pretty sure I’m helping you more than you’re helping me, so you really need to watch who you’re talking to!”
“First of all, little miss best-seller, you have no right to come into my store and act like you run the fucking show. I don’t care if you’re Oprah Winfrey—you will show some respect. I may have to put up with you as a favor to Cara, but I will not put up with your attitude, so leave it at the fucking door!” I stood up, ready to walk away from this whole thing.
“Okay, ladies!” Cara said, standing up. “I think that is enough for one day. Drea, I’ll call you later and we can go over the next steps.”
“Fine.” I didn’t bother acknowledging Blair as I headed for my office, giving Kaia a short nod on the way.
“Well, I think that went okay, don’t you? No one got hurt,” Kaia said as she shut my office door behind her.
I glared at her and sighed. “It went about as well as it always does. Why did I agree to this again?”
She sat down and smiled sweetly. “Because, Drea, you’re a business woman, and you know it will benefit the both of you. And you’re doing a nice thing for a friend.”
“Some friend if she’s making me do this! How am I going to survive this project?” I groaned, reaching for a bottle of water.
