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Mia responded first.
I’d love to.
Reese beamed, and when Robin’s message came moments later, adding that she’d love to get together too, Reese thought her heart might burst.
Yes, let’s do it soon. This week?
She couldn’t believe she had Josh Semple to thank for this.
* * *
John called a meeting for Monday morning in Reese’s boardroom. He’d sent her an email late Sunday night and requested that Cam be there too. He hadn’t said much, but inviting Cam along seemed odd to Reese.
Daria had coffee and muffins waiting for them, and as they sat around the boardroom table, Reese couldn’t help but feel a sense of foreboding. She also took the opportunity to look around the room. Essentially, all her known suspects were sitting around the same table. Marnie, John, Daria, and Cam.
“I have a few things I want to talk about. First, Semple has asked me again if Reese would be willing to do a sit-down with him. I’m not going to lie; I’m worried. Originally, I wanted to wait until November for Reese’s interview with Kasey Belmont, but I don’t think we can wait much longer. Marnie and I have been talking it over, and we’ve arranged for something three weeks from now. That means a lot of prep beforehand, so we’ll start next week.”
“Three weeks? You’ve been saying this is a long game, now we’re rushing it?” Reese said.
“I worry about Semple. We need to get ahead of him. The interview will be Friday night, before the last article of his series.”
“But what if he moves up his date?” Cam asked.
“It’s set in stone from what I’ve heard. I’ll arrange for some practice interview sessions starting next week.”
Reese’s head was spinning. She needed more time.
“Cam, on to your request to do more promotional materials with Reese. I’m afraid that given the current situation, that’s out of the question.”
That caught her off guard. When had Cam requested anything? And without speaking to her first? She looked over at him, but his focus was on John.
“I understand that, but even the smallest thing would help right now.”
“It’s out of question. We aren’t at the point that Reese should resume any sort of endorsement.”
Cam’s jaw tensed. “You left me with the impression it was a possibility. Now you’re shutting the door on that opportunity?”
“I apologize if I gave you that impression, but we need to keep Reese’s opportunities on hold right now.”
Cam slammed this fist on the table, jarring everyone.
“I have helped out every step along the way. Now I need a favor in return. I’m not asking for a lot.”
John slapped on a fake smile, the one he used when he was about to be dismissive. “While I understand your current situation, you need to understand that we can’t bring down Reese’s brand just because you found yourself in a predicament. I will try to find you something that you can do on your own.”
Reese looked between the two men. She didn’t like the direction John was taking the conversation.
“A few thousand is not going to cut it. My dad is sinking right now. He needs a damn lifeboat!”
Silence filled the air. John cleared his throat. “I will see what we can do. I’ve told you that already,” he said calmly.
Cam gritted his teeth. Reese had never seen him so angry. “I need to step out.”
He nearly tore the door off its hinges as he left and everyone at the table looked at one another.
“What was that about?” Daria asked.
Before Reese could stop him or say it wasn’t anyone’s business, John spoke.
