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“Ms. Costello,” Roger’s voice boomed over the other line. “To be honest, when I hired you, I was fairly certain that this would be the phone call where I would have to fire you.”
Melanie swallowed. “Sir?”
“You know, the first check-in after you’d worked with Adam.”
Right. Work. Adam. “The weekend went very well, Mr. Langford, I assure you.”
“I hope I can count on you for complete honesty, Ms. Costello. I love my son very much and there’s no one I trust more when it comes to business, but he has a verifiable lack of good judgment when it comes to the fairer sex. I trust that you kept to our agreement?”
How would she answer this? Find a technicality? She didn’t have a choice. She needed this job and one could argue that she’d made only one mistake, even if it was a doozy—kissing Adam on the couch and losing all sense of time and space. “I stayed away from Adam’s bedroom, if that’s what you’re asking.” That much was the truth, but guilt still choked her. She’d not only violated the contract keeping her company in the black, she’d done the thing she told herself she’d never do—she’d become involved with a client. Thank goodness she’d had the presence of mind to stop herself. If Adam’s lips had roved any farther, if she’d taken the chance to caress his bare chest, there would’ve been no looking back.
“Forgive me for even asking. It’s just important to me that we keep things aboveboard.” Roger cleared his throat. “I won’t keep you, Ms. Costello. I spoke to Adam. He’s very impressed with your work, which isn’t quite what I expected to hear. He fought me hard on hiring a PR person, although he softened on the idea when your name came into the mix. As soon as he researched your background, he said yes. I suppose your reputation preceded you.”
Melanie’s mind raced. She knew Adam had fought the public relations campaign—he’d said as much himself. What he’d failed to mention was that he changed his mind after he found out she’d been hired. Researched her background... Her picture was front and center on her website and he’d said that he never forgot a woman, even though she hadn’t anticipated that was his superpower. What went through his mind when he made the connection?
“Adam told me all about your plan with Julia,” Roger continued. “It’s a stroke of pure genius. Mrs. Langford and I adored her the first time we met her. Their romance was so short-lived, but maybe they’ll see the error of their ways now that they’ll be spending time together. Nothing like close quarters to kindle love’s flames.”
Kindle love’s flames? Melanie’s stomach churned. How would she make it through the coming weeks without wanting to take a nap on railroad tracks? “The press will eat it up, sir.” Will they ever.
“Absolutely excellent, Ms. Costello. Looking at Adam’s interview schedule, I’d like you to keep me apprised of the Midnight Hour appearance. I’d really like for that to happen.”
She scribbled herself a note to make yet another call to the Midnight Hour producer, knowing the answer was likely still “we’ll see.” Adam was the right kind of guest for the late-night talk show—in the limelight, a “personality”—but their schedule was booked months in advance. “Yes, sir. I’m on it.”
“Well, keep up the good work. I’ve spoken to my assistant. Your next check is on its way.”
Melanie exhaled—money. That and a stellar endorsement from a man as powerful as Roger Langford was the reason she was doing this. Having to aid and abet Adam and Julia was merely the horrific trade-off. “Thank you, sir. I’ll keep you posted.”
It was only a little past nine thirty when she said goodbye, but she already felt as though she’d been at the office for days. Coffee. More coffee.
The next hour was spent catching up on other clients—a New Jersey real estate agent who wanted to build her profile with the well-heeled of New York society, and a hotshot chef in need of a PR campaign surrounding his nomination for a prestigious cooking award. After finishing her second cup of coffee, she got around to the mail—big, fat bills for her rented office furniture, internet, travel. Even the little things such as office supplies added up. When would every day stop feeling like one step forward, two steps back? She was a fighter and she wouldn’t quit, but being a one-woman army was no fun.
The main office line rang. Melanie hated it when this happened, because it meant that she had to pretend to be the receptionist. She’d trained most people to call her cell phone, and many of her clients preferred email for communication, but her sisters still called the office when they needed her to deal with their difficult dad, and of course, new clients often placed a phone call first.
