The Shift
As Taylor listenedto her team discuss the laundry list of activities, her mind strayed. Even curled in Jagger’s arms, she hadn’t slept well. Her heart felt heavy. Fear was preventing him from embracing the brand that had made him a success. She doubted the hotel would sell out, even with the in-house spa and the entertainment. There were too many other five-star properties in the vicinity competing for marketshare.
Though he’d invited her for an early morning run, she’d declined. Being seen outside of a work-related event might catch the eye of a photographer. With his publicist arriving that morning for media day, the paparazzi would be hungry for a shot ofJagger.
“Taylor,” Adele said. “What do youthink?”
“I’m sorry, what did yousay?”
“Do you like our suggestions for additional events?” David asked. “Can we move forward with Surfing 101? What about parasailing? And we’d like to arrange for offsite wine tours,too.”
Taylor slid her focus from one to the other. “They all sound great.” But they didn’t. Not when she knew what theycouldbeoffering.
Knock.Knock.
Jagger walked in, his sights set on Taylor. “How’s itgoing?”
“Good,” Taylor replied. “What can we helpwith?”
“My publicist is here. Can I steal you for afew?”
“Of course.” After asking her staff to follow through on their suggestions, she left heroffice.
“You look beautiful,” he said as they headed down thehall.
Before she could respond, she walked into his office and her brain stuttered. There stood Kathy Jones, the last person Taylor expected—or wanted—to see.Oh, God, no.Jagger’s publicist was the she-devil herself. Other than the couture suit, Kathy hadn’t changed. Same highlighted ringlets dangling on her shoulders, same shade of power-red lipstick, and same oversized black-framed glasses framing those cold, unblinking eyes. But it was Kathy’s haughty expression that made Taylor’s skincrawl.
“Taylor!” Squeezing Taylor’s shoulders, Kathy air-kissed each cheek. “Mmmwa. Mmmwa Big kisses. Smallworld.”
Jagger gestured toward his conference table. “Let’ssit.”
Brushing past, Kathy claimed the chair at the head. Taylor crumpled into the seat across from Jagger, resigned at having to work with this two-facedwitch.
“How do you two know each other?” Jaggerasked.
“She knows me as Kathy Jones,” Kate answered. “We were close friends in high school—” Kathy cocked her head—“and sorority sisters incollege.”
“You two can catch up later,” Jagger said. “We’ve got apacked—”
“When I got married,” Kate flashed her wedding band, “I changed my last name. Kathy Faraday had no pizzazz. I toyed with using my real name, Kathryn, but ultimately decided on Kate. Kate Faraday sounds regal, doesn’t it?” Her arrogant tone made Taylor’s blood runcold.
With a curt nod, Jagger shifted his attention to Taylor. “Run through your scheduled events so we’re all on the samepage.”
Ignoring Jagger, Kate continued. “Tell me about you, Taylor.” After eyeing Taylor’s ring finger, Kate frowned. “Not married, poor baby. So, you’re an organizer. That’s perfect for you. Your locker and dorm room were always supertidy.”
Kathy Jones still excelled in controlling the situation while sucking the life force out of everyone in her self-servingpath.
As Taylor’s stomach roiled, she addressed Jagger. “I’ll begin with opening-dayevents—”
“Email those to Jagger and me,” Kate said, her flinty voice grating on Taylor. “We need to focus on media day. Jagger and I will field all questions. Immediately following, I’ll schedule a series of mini interviews. Ten minutes, tops.” She flicked her head toward Taylor, sending the tight curls flying. “I’ll ask one of the local rags to interview our very own eventcoordinator.”
“Kate.” Jagger’s commanding tone hijacked their attention. “Make no mistake, Taylor is part of my executiveteam.”
She wanted to hug him for defending her, but she saidnothing.
“I’ve made an important decision you both need to hear before I speak with the media.” Jagger’s confident posture, paired with that deep timbre, soothed Taylor’sjitters.
Leaning forward, Kate said, “I’m allears.”
