The Publicist Book One and Two (42 page)

No you wouldn’t have
, she thought.
The dress is cursed and it makes me do crazy things.

“So, how was the party? I’m sorry again I couldn’t be there.”

“It was okay. How’s our thief?”

“Arrested. Now tell me more about the party.” Nick started to undress.

Kate shrugged. “Well, your typical celebrity party. Lots of faces there I recognized, but they had no clue who I was. Typical life of a publicist.”
Also, the devil himself was there and he locked us in a closet and told me he got a divorce and that he loves me.

“Was Jennifer Aniston there? I might have to leave you for her.” Nick smiled.

Kate tried to enjoy the easy banter of their discussion, but she still felt the tendrils of Mac’s touch on her body. “No, no, she wasn’t there. Anyway, she’s engaged.”

Nick nodded. “Right. So, then I guess you’re stuck with me.” He kissed her on the cheek and yawned. “Sorry, it’s not you. I’m exhausted, and being short a manger I’ve got to open tomorrow, which means I’m up and out of here by four thirty in the morning.”

“Ouch.” Kate smiled, thankful he was tired. She couldn’t handle making love to him tonight. Not until she put some distance between herself and whatever residual feelings that were dancing around inside her. Feelings for MacDermott Ellis she thought she’d long put behind her.

Chapter Fifty-Three

“My life is a train wreck.”

“Well, good morning to you, too, Love,” Andrew chuckled through the phone. “I guess that’s the reason for the call? By the way, my book came out last week and everyone hates it. Isn’t that great? They called off half of the interviews. I’m so excited. Now, about your train wreck—how bad?”

“No survivors.”

“Oh, dear, what happened?”

“The guy, Mac. He’s in Los Angeles and divorced and professing his undying love to me. He somehow figured out I was at this party last night, tracked me down, and then dragged me into a supply closet.”

Andrew thought for a long, silent moment. “First off, kinky. I never pegged you for a closet kind of a girl. Second, you wouldn’t be calling me if you didn’t feel the same way, Katie.”

The full effect of what he said detonated through the phone.
No, of course not,
she thought.
Not possible. Not happening.

“That’s not it at all, Andy. Really, I’m totally over this guy.”

“Then, why does your voice change when you speak of him?”

Fuck, did her voice change?

“No, that’s not it; this is a mess, Andy. He’s back and I don’t think I can get rid of him and Nick will find out and he’ll be upset.”

“Kate, darling, listen to me carefully. If you really wanted to get rid of him, you could. You’d tell him to go, and he’d believe you. My sense is that you told him, and he knows what I know—that you’re not over him. Men can sense that, you know. We’re piranhas.”

“Maybe if I ignore him, it’ll just go away.”

“I think some weary banker once said that about the crash of Wall Street.”

Kate drummed her fingers on the counter. She was standing in Nick’s big, open kitchen sipping coffee, though what she really wanted was a shot of something much stronger.

“I didn’t sleep at all, Andy. I’m really anxious about this.”

“Kate, Lovely, listen to me. He’s divorced and you still love him. What’s the problem?”

“I’m with Nick, and he’s wonderful and loving and wonderful.”
“You said wonderful twice. Do you love him?”

“Of course I do.”

“Hmmmm, that sounded about as convincing as me trying to tell you that I want to strip you naked and have sex with you.”

“Andrew, stay on track, please.” She was getting impatient. He wasn’t right. He couldn’t be right.

Fuck.

“Listen, Kate, I adore you, but do you have any idea how you sound right now? Panicked. Total, utter panic. Here’s what I recommend: If you’re so sure that you’re over this guy, call him and set up a time to meet when you’re in control of the meeting.”

Good idea, problem was she’d never been in control with Mac. She used to love it that way.

“You think that will work?”

“Well, it’ll either show you that you are over him and that last night’s meeting was just shock, personified, or it will show you that you are indeed still in love with him.”

After Kate clicked off, she thought about Andrew’s words. He wasn’t right, of course, and as soon as she got to the office, she’d call Mac and set up a meeting. No doubt, he was still in Los Angeles.

Chapter Fifty-Four

By the time Kate arrived at work, Lulu was already there.

“Morning, Kate. How was the party?”

Although Lulu smiled, there was a slight nervous edge to her that Kate noticed but brushed off. She was too consumed with her own problems to worry about someone else’s. She’d ask Lulu what was wrong later. Forcing a smile, Kate said, “It was good. I should have called you. Nick couldn’t make it at the last minute, and I ended up having to go alone.”

Well, not totally alone.

Lulu frowned. “Kate, are you okay?”

Kate nodded. “Yes, yes, fine.” She changed the subject. “What’s on tap for today?”

Lulu fumbled with some folders on her desk, looking nervous again. “Well, you have a couple of interviews, one in person and one by phone.”

Kate just stared at her. “Interviews?”

“The editor position? You had me run an ad.” Lulu eyed Kate suspiciously. Something was definitely off. Lulu thought for a quick moment about warning Kate, or maybe she already knew. Either way, it was too late.

“Oh, right. Interviews, yes. One in person. What time is he or she coming in?”

“It’s a he, eh, his
résumé
on your desk, and he should be here in ten minutes.”

Kate walked to her office. Great, just what she needed—interviews. She slid behind her desk, turned on her computer, and started shuffling for the
résumé
. Kate couldn’t focus. She needed to call Mac. Andy was right. The thought of seeing him again made her head spin. Maybe she could just do this via email. No, that wouldn’t work.

There was a light tap on her door. Lulu poked her head in.

“Kate, your appointment is here,” she said, and Kate was too distracted to notice the worried look on Lulu’s face. When she stepped back, Mac walked through her door and filled her office.

He was still bigger than life.

He threw her his signature ‘drop your panties’ smile. “I’m here for the editor position,” he said.

Kate blinked. What the hell? Mac closed the door and walked toward her. She felt like running, but much like last night, she was trapped. Mac sat down in one of the chairs in her office.

Pull it together
, she screamed to herself.
Breathe, and pull it together.

“Mac,” she said as calmly as she could, “did Lulu know it was you coming in for the interview?”

He chuckled. “No, not until I showed up just now. I dummied up my
résumé
. The guy you thought you were meeting with worked at Random House. I’m far more impressive, and, the truth is, I need a job.”

“Mac, I don’t think…”
He leaned forward. Her body started screaming again: He’s back! He’s back!

“I’m serious, Katie. I want the interview. You’ve done amazing things and you’re on the cusp of what promises to be a legendary publishing company, but you need a good editor and I’m a good editor.”

“I can’t possibly give you this job.”

Mac cocked his head. “Why not?”
“Because, it would be awkward, I think. Us working together, and Nick.”

“Oh, right, Nick. So, you’re unwilling to put your feelings aside in order to serve Lavigne House? Great name by the way. Allan would have loved it.”

Fuck. Mac was right. But hire him? No, not possible.

“I don’t think this will work, Mac, for other reasons. I mean, we’re a California-based publisher.”

“I can work here and in New York. The deals still happen in New York and you know it.”

“I can’t hire you.”

“Can’t or won’t?”

He loved to challenge Kate and she loved his challenges. Somehow, during their repartee she’d managed to gain a modicum of control. He wanted an interview, fine. He would get one. She still wouldn’t hire him, but she also knew that if she didn’t interview him he’d never go away.

“Fine. Let’s start from the beginning. Tell me about your history with Morris and Dean.”

“Over the twenty years I was there, I brought in a hundred bestselling titles, which netted MD several millions of dollars. Five of them were nominated for Edgar awards; three won. Ten of my books were nominated for Books for a Better Life; five won. Two of the books became major motion pictures netting several million in box office sales, which MD benefited from. The movies also surged the books back up the bestseller list, which netted more profit for the company.”

She knew all of this, of course, but she had forgotten how impressive his career had been.

“Why did you leave MD?”

“Because the guy who runs it is a fucking liar and I wanted no part of it.”

“Why do you want to work for us?”

“Because you’re the most exciting publishing house out there, and I know that I can bring in some fantastic books.”

“Do you like authors?”
“I hate most of them.”

Kate chuckled; it was easy being with Mac. Too easy.

“I also want to add that I love this industry, I know it well, I have a reputation, and, candidly, a I have few other offers I’m considering. Also, Kate, you know how well we work together. From humble beginnings, we can grow great things. Between the two of us there’s nothing we can’t do.”

There was a time she’d banked on that, counted on it, welcomed it.

“I’ll have to give this some thought,” she said.

Mac leaned into her. “Katie, I leave for New York tomorrow morning. I love you and I want to make a life with you. I know you say you’ve moved on. I know you’re with Nick, and I would never do anything to wreck that.” Mac paused for a moment to rethink his last statement. “Okay, so that’s not entirely true. I would love to try and mess up your relationship with Nick, but I don’t think I have to. I think you still love me, too. In fact, I’m certain of it. If you want to start a life together, I’m staying at The Huntley in Santa Monica. My flight is at eleven a.m. tomorrow morning. If you don’t come by, I will never bother you again.”

Mac stood up to walk out of her office. He turned to her. “We were good together, Kate, and we can be again. You made me grow up, and I’ll always be grateful to you for that.”

Kate was still shaking when she heard the front door close.

Lulu poked her head in her office. “Kate, I-I’m really so sorry. It’s just that it’s Mac, and I thought that you two, well, that you should at least see him.”

Kate raised a shaky hand. “It’s fine, Lu.” Though they both knew it wasn’t. If Kate hadn’t been such a shaking mess she might have let Lu have it, but she couldn’t muster it—especially since Lu was well intended. “Can you close the door, please?”

Lulu left quietly. Kate sat, staring at the door for what seemed to be an eternity, fighting off the urge to run after him.

Chapter Fifty-Five

The next morning, Kate stood rooted in place. It was nearing eleven a.m.
Mac had certainly boarded his flight
, she thought as she dug her toes deeper into the sand. She watched the people coming and going on the shoreline. The November morning was still cool but she saw a few diehard surfers attempting the waves. She watched them as they hopped on their boards and rode the waves in. Tick, tick. Ten fifty, ten fifty-five. Eleven a.m. He was gone.

“Goodbye, Mac,” she said out loud. She had not gone to see him or stopped him from going. Kate walked back to her car and headed to work.

…

It had been a long day—almost too long. Kate’s mind tumbled with a million thoughts. She saw Mac on his flight, and thought of him flying home. Thought of his new life with neither wife nor job.

Nick texted Kate sometime around midday asking what time she’d be home. Kate checked her calendar and sent him a message back.
I’ll be home by 6. XO

Dear, sweet, Nick. She was so lucky to have him. Lucky and grateful. He was her new life, and her new life was here in California.

By the time Kate slipped behind the wheel of Grace’s car, she was exhausted. The day, the man, the thoughts she’d spent most of her time battling had taken their toll on her. She pushed the worn key into the ignition and the car started up. She made a mental note to get to a dealership this weekend and get her own car. This one had served its purpose; it had gotten her to her new life. Now she was putting down roots. A car. Something she’d never again need if she went back to New York.

If.

Highly unlikely at this point. Although, as much as Kate hated to admit it, she missed the life—the people—even the homeless guy who she saw most mornings when she walked to work. Often Kate would buy him a cup of coffee and a bagel. He’d smile his toothless grin and mumble a ‘thank you’ while he sank his gums into the warm bagel.

Indeed, Kate missed it all. But the life, the city, the job, the man—all of it was different. The man and the job had betrayed her in a way that had left her feeling gutted. It had only been through Nick’s unwavering support that she’d managed to piece herself back together.
And Mac
, she thought,
the agreement for Allan’s book. That’s what did it and you know it.

Dusk had fallen quickly and it promised to be another beautiful night. Maybe they could have dinner outside before it got too chilly. Kate pulled into the driveway and saw Nick’s Jeep was already there. She suspected something was up when he had asked her what time she’d be home, but she didn’t think he’d beat her there. When Kate pulled in behind Nick’s Jeep, she saw a note he’d fixed to the back of his car. It read,
Come in through the front door.

Kate smiled, wondering what on earth Nick was up to. Grabbing her purse, she stepped out of the car and walked up to the front door, which was slightly ajar. She pushed on the door and was welcomed with a sea of candles and rose petals. Music played from the stereo; the soft voice of John Coltrane wafted from the speakers. Kate stepped inside. “Nick?” she called out, but he did not respond. She noticed a path of rose petals that led to the living room and decided to follow them. There she found Nick, surrounded by candles and smiling. Kate dropped her purse on the couch and shrugged out of her suit jacket.

“Nick, what’s going on?”

“Welcome home, my love.” He smiled and walked over to her, kissing her gently on the mouth.

Kate’s mind scrambled. She had been so distracted the past few days. Did she forget something important? A birthday? An anniversary?

“Nick,” Kate’s voice was hesitant, “what’s this all about?”

Nick smiled again, wrapping a tendril of her hair around his finger.

“I love you so much, Katie,” he whispered.

“I love you, too,” she said softly. Was that a catch she heard in her throat? Or was it uncertainty?

“I know the circumstances that brought us together, twice in fact, weren’t the best. In fact, they were horrible. The first time was when Uncle Allan died and the second was when your life fell apart in New York. But, I like to think that out of that mass of chaos, something good came of it. We are here, together, and I want to spend the rest of my life like this. I want to cheer at your successes, comfort you when you’re sad, and love you for the rest of my days.”

Kate could feel her heart pound. Was he…?

Nick knelt down in front of her, pulling a small box from his pocket. He flipped it open to reveal one of the most beautiful rings she’d ever seen.

“Katharine Anne Mitchell, will you do me the honor of marrying me?”