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While rest of our team is settling in, I pour myself water from the carafe and Cecelia calls the meeting to order.
We go around the table, each taking our turn to review our current campaigns.
Jessamyn is doing wonders with a gourmet restaurant chain. Paolo is killing it with an indie singer named Shyne. Dori’s campaign involves a company making vegan leather products, and celebrities are on months-long waiting lists to get their new shoes. Amanda is working with a client debuting a national chain of gyms—and of course, lying in wait hoping for the Rovers gig. Everyone details specific metrics, including social media mentions.
Amanda’s lip curls slightly when it’s my turn to talk about my campaign. My numbers are awesome and there’s nothing she can say to that, but from the expression on her face, it’s very clear she’d like to.
After I wrap up, Cecelia takes over. “Nice work, Rowan. Truly.” She looks around the room. “All of you need to be on call to help in a pinch if Rowan should need it. This project is a priority.”
They all nod their heads.
“Rowan, you’re running around like a chicken with your head severed. What can we take off your plate?”
She’s not wrong, I do have a lot on my plate, but this is too important to place a single thing in anyone else’s hands.
“I’m good, but thank you.”
Cece levels me with a look that screamsliar.“As much as I appreciate your hustle, I’m going to have to insist that you offload something. Otherwise, as organized as you are, something will slip through the cracks.”
Amanda’s hand shoots into the air, and I have to physically refrain from rolling my eyes or saying something cutting.
“I’ll handle sending out the invites. It’s the least I can do, since I pass the post office on my way home.”
Cece points a finger at Amanda. “Good. Done.”
Oh, hell no. Amanda will somehow worm her way into taking credit for my project.
“While I appreciate the offer, I really have it handled,” I say to Cece, completely ignoring Amanda’s smarmy face.
“It’s already done, Rowan. Now, run along, everyone. We have things to do.”
The rest of the team gets up and starts heading for the door. Amanda is gathering up her paperwork and preening about God knows what. She won the honor of errand runner—yippee for her.
“I have news for you, lucky girl,” Cecelia says to me. “The Rovers have asked me to attend their opening game tonight, and I have great seats. We’ll practically be sitting in their laps.”
Now why did she have to say that? It summons up visions of me sitting on Mason’s lap, with him thick with desire for me and ...
I shove the image to the back of my mind.
She pulls a ticket from her Hermès Birkin turquoise crocodile-skin handbag and waves it at me. “Oh, how nice for you,” Amanda says sharply.
“Amanda.” Cecelia shakes her head reprovingly.
“No, it’s fine. I took you at your word when you said that we’d both have a fair shot at the Rovers position, but I can see that’s not the case. I hope you two enjoy yourselves.” She stands up and stalks out of the room, back stiff.
I stifle a groan of frustration. Can’t Cece see that Amanda’s huffy temperament is a real detriment to being a publicist? Yes, Amanda can turn the charm on like a switch and be delightful for short bursts, but she’s extremely prickly and takes everything personally. I’m worried that someday it will blow up in our faces, but it’s Cecelia’s company, not mine.
“I can’t actually make it tonight,” I say. “I have plans with my sister tonight, unfortunately, but I appreciate it. Thank you.”
I do not have plans with Ruby. What I do have is a desire to avoid Mason unless it’s work-related or child-charity-related.
“Ruby will understand.” Cece smiles at me with her trademarkI will not take no for an answerlook. When I start to protest, she shakes her head reprovingly.
Her smile has faded. “This is part of your job. Do you want the job or not?”
Okay, I love Cecelia, admire Cecelia, but she can be a bit of a tyrant. She’s used to getting her own way all the time and doesn’t take kindly to being told no.
I sigh. “All right, I’ll let Ruby know. I’d better head home to get ready.”It’s okay, I tell myself.It’s not like I’m going to be socializing with Mason anyway.
