Arranged: A Clean Billionaire Romance (Mixing Love and Business)
Page 27
“Are you talking about the new action-thriller?”
Kerri laughed. “Maybe.”
“I can’t quite imagine you doing action.”
“I’ve been training.” She had been hitting the gym three times a week, and she was surprisingly good with a gun. “I’m really excited about that role. It’s something I’ve never done before.”
“Are you hoping to shake off the label of America’s sweetheart? I know sometimes actresses get tired of the labels placed on them.”
“I don’t mind being called America’s sweetheart,” she said. “Taking the role was more of a challenge to myself. I actually went in there to discuss another role, but …” She paused and widened her grin. “Sometimes things just turn out differently.”
“Well, I can’t wait to see it.”
“I can’t wait to do it.”
“Will we be getting a new album from you as well?” Glenn asked. “You have had two bestselling albums. Any intention to make it three?”
Could she pretend she hadn’t heard him? She could always blame her foul mood on the six-inch heels that had given her blisters fifteen minutes into wearing them, right? But she wasn’t willing to endure an hour of her mom’s lecturing for Glenn.
“Well,” Marissa added before Kerri could reply. “I heard Chloe Brooks just got back from her honeymoon. She wrote the bestselling song for your last album; maybe she’ll write another for you.”
“Anything is possible, I suppose.”
After the interview, Kerri walked back to the car with Dana. “Thanks for giving me the heads-up.”
“That’s my job.”
“Thanks for being good at it, then.” Her mom had found out that her previous assistant was selling information about her to the media, and her first assistant wouldn’t do anything unless asked.
“I’ve always wanted to work with you.”
Kerri looked over at Dana. “Dana, I’m not Miss America’s Sweetheart. I get grumpy when I’m hungry. I lose my temper when simple things aren’t done right.”
“I don’t expect you to be perfect. I just wanted to work for someone who would respect me as a human being.”
“What makes you think I’ll do that?”
“Because you’ve already done so.” Dana glanced over at her. “You really don’t remember me, do you?”
“I don’t know why, but I’ve always found that sentence to be rather scary.”
Dana grinned. “We’ve met before.”
“I’m sorry, but I don’t remember.”
“I was working for Denise Brown.”
“Oh, she can be tough to work with.” Kerri hadn’t worked with Denise, but she had seen how Denise treated the people around her. Denise was a diva, and she behaved like one. Kerri once saw Denise pouring a bottle of mineral water on her assistant’s head because the water was too warm from having sat in the car for too long. “You’re not the assistant—”
“I was.”
“I’m sorry. I know you had a tough time with her.”
“And you were so kind. You told her to stop it, then took me to the bathroom and helped me dry off. You even got your then assistant to bring me a set of clothes.”
“I’m sorry I didn’t remember you.”
“When I thanked you, you said it was just the decent thing to do,” Dana said. “Anyway, it was a long time ago. When I found out that you were back and were looking for an assistant, I immediately applied.”
“I promise I’ll respect you as a fellow human being on one condition: be honest with me.” Dana had been competent, but honesty … that was a whole different matter.
Dana pursed her lips.
“What is it?”
“Your mom told me to keep it from you.”
“You’re working for me, not my mom.” In fact, her mom was working for her as well. Her mom was her manager, and Kerri trusted her, but her mom would always be her mother first and manager second.
“Nick’s manager called.”
“Roland?” Kerri smiled as she thought about those times when Nick used to joke around, saying Roland looked more like a star than he was. Roland always wore either a suit or a shirt wherever he went, even to the weekend barbecue her dad had organized.
Dana nodded.
“For what?”
“He is hoping you’ll do a joint interview with Nick. That way, everyone can leave the incident behind, and both of you can start afresh,” Dana said.
Which incident? The car accident or the new story created on Sunday?
“That was what he said,” Dana continued. “But it is clearly more for Nick than you. You have no problem with moving on.”
Not true. “I’ll do it.” An interview wouldn’t solve her problem, but it could help Nick.
“Your mom has already rejected it.”
“I’ll talk to her later. And don’t worry, I’ll tell her that I threatened to fire you.” She looked out of the window. “I need to go somewhere tonight. Can you arrange a rental car for me by five?”
“Of course.”
Kerri’s hands were firm on the steering wheel. She was ready to drive off once Stephanie got into the car. She felt exposed without her sunglasses, but she couldn’t hide behind them, not at night. They might end up drawing more attention.
She adjusted her cap, pulling it as low as possible, then planted her hand back on the steering wheel.
Her head snapped toward the opposite car door when someone tried and failed to open it. She sighed when Stephanie bent over and looked into the car.
She unlocked the door, and Stephanie immediately entered.
“Drive,” Stephanie said while staring at the side-view mirror, and pulled off her white earphones. She dropped the earphones around her shoulders, ran her hand through her short black bob, and leaned forward. “Are they in here?” She opened the glove compartment.
“I’m sick of this. I want to stop.” She started the car and pulled away from the curb.
Stephanie pulled her black armband down, then stuffed the plastic packets between her phone and armband. “This is everything, right?” She looked at her as she put the armband back in place.
Kerri didn’t bother to reply to Stephanie. “I don’t want to do this anymore.”
Stephanie straightened her dark blue tank top. “Is this all you bought?”
“Yes. Did you hear what I said?”
“I thought you were just whining—as usual.”
Kerri inhaled deeply through her nose. “I’m serious.”
Sighing heavily, Stephanie tipped her head back against the headrest. “You can walk away from this anytime you want.” Without any makeup on her face, the dark eye circles made Stephanie’s sunken eyes more prominent. Coupled with Stephanie’s sombre tone, Kerri could almost believe her, except she knew better.
So despite knowing how unladylike it was, Kerri scoffed.
“The choice is yours.”
Kerri rolled her eyes. She didn’t have a choice, and Stephanie knew it.
“I know you think I’m in alliance with Satan.” Stephanie rubbed her hands down her dark gray jogging pants. “But I’m just doing what I’m told.” She put one side of the earphones back in place. “Just drop me off around the corner.”
Kerri was tempted to kick Stephanie out right where they were, while the car was still moving. Taking a deep breath, she looked down and tilted her face away from Stephanie. “What about the stalker guy?”
“We’ve taken care of him.”
“Would you take care of me if I were to walk away from everything?”
Stephanie grunted. “I know you’re an actress, but don’t be dramatic.”
Kerri jammed her foot on the brake harder than necessary. She jerked forward, but her seat belt held her back while Stephanie’s torso swung forward unimpeded.
Stephanie flung her arm out, breaking the forward momentum with a loud knock against the glove compartment. “Trying to cause another car crash?”
Even with
her jaws clenched, Kerri managed a smile.
“We’ll have your back as long as you have ours,” Stephanie said. “I’ll be in contact. See you around, Miss America’s Sweetheart.”
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Other Books by Trisha
Now available:
Ghost of the Past Book 1 - Moving On
Ghost of the Past Book 2 - Closing Books
Ghost of the Past Book 3 - Growing Up
Ghost of the Past Book 4 - Believing Again
Ghost of the Past Book 5 - Breaking Free
Box Set: Ghost of the Past Series
A Fresh Start
Done Being Friends
Sing For Me
Shine Series Book 1: Mr. Bad Influence
Shine Series Book 2: Mr. Playboy
Shine Series Book 3: Mr. Golden Boy
Shine Series Book 4: Mr. Party
Arranged
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Trisha Grace graduated from Bradford University with an Accounting and Finance degree. She has always been an avid reader and has a passion for writing. After being a tutor for over six years, she finally sat down and penned her own novels.