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My curiosity is quickly wiped out by the realization that Brooks sent people to see me. They aren’t really here because they wanted to meet me and buy my book.
Sarah juts out a hand to my shoulder. ‘That doesn’t mean we don’t love your work, though. I genuinely bounce around my apartment to your videos.’
Becky closes the hardback in her hands. ‘And I really am going to steal some of these recipes.’
I force a smile, knowing it comes on only one side of my mouth. ‘Thanks. I appreciate it.’
‘Hey, if you’re in the city for a while, we should all do coffee or brunch,’ Sarah says.
Becky nods. ‘I’d love that.’
Sarah scribbles her number on a receipt she pulls from her purse. ‘Drop me a line if you find some spare time.’
When I’m alone, I start to sign the remaining books from the tabletop and the box beneath. I carry them to the cashier’s desk and head out to Fifth Avenue. Despite the warm air, I wrap my jacket tight around me and walk with my arms across my stomach. I could really use a hug.
I walk. And walk. Weaving between streets and people. I keep walking until my kitten heels are hurting the balls of my feet.
Tonight was not a success. I sold books but basically all thanks to Brooks Adams, who doesn’t even like me.
I stop dead in my tracks. If he doesn’t like me, why did he send those women to my signing? It makes no sense. And he was so sharp with me. He seemed like such a dick. Admittedly, one hot, hot, hot dick but a dick nonetheless.
How did he even know I was in Barnes & Noble? Oh my God, did he see me? Did he spot me sitting alone, not signing any books, looking like a complete failure? Did he send those women out of pity?
Perhaps he reads my blog. Would he read my blog?
Oh sugar!My blog.
I pull my iPhone from my handbag and dial Kerry.
‘I’ve changed my mind,’ I say when she answers. ‘I don’t want to put out the blog. If that’s what it takes to sell books, I don’t want—’
‘Too late,chica. It went live nineteen minutes ago.’
9
BROOKS
It just keeps going. The verbal diarrhea.
The best gym in the city, I was told. Everyone wants to be trained by Brooks Adams, I heard. Well, while I can vouch for the perfectly adequate facilities of his gym, the man himself leaves a lot to be desired. I’d heard he was like diamonds to women: irresistible. In this woman’s opinion, once you look beyond the allure of bulging biceps, there’s nothing but an ill-mannered, arrogant ape.
Putting the beast’s personality aside for one second, I must say, I find it hard to believe that he looks the way he does (read: extremely buff) if he follows his own advice. The man was annoyed at me for requesting a green smoothie from his new bistro. Even though I offered one of my new recipes to the server (see links below to my new bookBe Green. Be Clean–preorder quick, hard copies are selling out fast), Brooks Adams saw red (not green, at all). I won’t go on about the quarrel we had over the matter, which was not only embarrassing to me but also other clients in the bistro. My point is this, Brooks Adams doesn’t believe in good nutrition, so what is he really doing to get that body? I’ll let you draw your own conclusions. All I’m saying is, I’m guessing he doesn’t practice what he preaches.
Why not try a fitness and nutrition regime that works?
*winks*
‘Is she for fucking real?’ It’s a rhetorical question but Charlie answers, her tone as wary as her stance as she hovers at the doorway of my office.
‘I’m sorry, Brooks. I thought you would want to know.’
I finally take my eyes off the smug face of Izzy Coulthard on my screen. ‘I do, Charlie. Thanks.’
She leaves me shaking my head. I don’t know if I’m shaking my head in disbelief – how can anyone, especially in the same professional circle as me, be such a jackass? – or because I thought I recognized something in her today, something that said there was a good side to her, and I’m surprised at my own enormous misjudgment.
I push back in my desk chair too harshly, sending it crashing into the wall.
And I actually felt sorry for the woman. While I was arranging for Sarah to go to Barnes & Noble, Izzy was probably posting this blog from her cell.
