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My eyebrows raise with concern. “‘We’? Who is this we you’re speaking of?” I cross my arms across my chest, pressing her for more intel.
“No one. I didn’t mean we. I meant I was at dinner. Yeah, and then I received a call from a magical wizard.” Amber is not skillful in the art of remaining cool.
“You were at dinner with Sebastian?” I ask with a slight smirk.
“Okay. It’s not like you think. He called to see if I was hungry for seafood, which is my favorite, and I said yes. We agreed to meet and talk about things, but it wasn’t a date.”
I take a seat and wave for her to continue with her excellent storytelling skills that may somehow explain how I ended up in this mess.
“Anyway, we were having dinner when Simon walked in and joined us. He mentioned something about wanting you to come on the press tour and not Lenny. I told him you would object, and he pulled out his phone and called Lenny, who then called Carter.” She shies away after her last comment.
“And you didn’t think to call me?”
“I knew you would be pissed so I figured it would be best if you heard it from Lenny.”
I lower my head and gently massage my temples. “Let me get this straight. I owe the upheaval of my normal routine to Simon Ashton?”
“But like Carter said, this technically falls on the promotion side of things, and that is our wheelhouse.”
“He is always trying to one-up me.”
“Did you ever think that maybe, just maybe, he honestly enjoys your company? Or maybe, as he said to Sebastian, Tuesday, you are the only woman who can boss him around and he does not get a charge out of it, or for it. I took that last part to mean he’s paid for sex that included a Dominatrix. I didn’t ask.”
“Okay. I’ll back down. He has been receptive to my requested changes. The change of a few songs on the new album, which is getting positive reviews from the critics, to even initiating his own wardrobe change.”
“Maybe you are his last chance, and he realizes that no one else will work with him.”
“Are you standing up for him? Because I remember you trying your best to get me to not accept the job because you couldn’t stand him.”
“Yes, I know, but I’ve come to learn that things aren’t what the media always portrays,” she defends.
“Are you serious? Simon is exactly what the media displays. He is by far my worst client as far as image is concerned. I’m just thankful the music is good, and the band is an easy sell among the radio station and the trade mags. But, oh my gosh, if he gets another thing on his blemished public opinion record, it won’t be an easy clean-up.”
“And that, my dear, is why you need to scurry on home and pack. ‘Press for the client never ends.’ Those are your words, not mine.” She slinks out of the office and back to her desk.
Of all the quips and quotes I’ve rattled off over the past five years, that is the one she chooses to remember. I print my boarding passes and after a quick thought, open the whole file and print each one for the band as well. Then separate them by journey, and paper clip them together before stuffing them into a large manila envelope and then into the side of my briefcase since this will be one of my carry-ons. I look around for anything else I may need, vacating my office when my search is complete.
“Okay, Amber. I am officially on tour with the band. If it’s a fire, call me. Do not let bad news get back to headquarters and tell Brianna I am sorry about missing our standard wine and movie night tomorrow.”
“Got it. Have fun.”
“Amber, it’s work, not a vacay. No fun shall be had.”
“Whatever. Just promise me that you will take at least a bikini. You may find a beach party and a hot guy.”
“I literally just broke up with a guy after four years. Do you think I’d want a guy around me now?”
“Yes. The best way to get over a guy is to get under a new one. You have an incredible body, and the world needs to know it. Plus, it’s a good way to see if you still got that instant magnetism.”
“Amber. This is work. That is all. Now bye. I have to go home and pack.” I give her a hug and exit the building to the parking garage where I climb into my car and return home.
* * *
SIMON
“Lenny, I hear that our little PR rep will be traveling with us,” I gloat, of course as I enter his office.
“Simon, I just had half my ass chewed by both Myka and Carter. Do you mind telling me why it was so damn important she went?”
