by M J Rutter
I stepped out of the elevator and walked past Cain again. He was talking on the phone and noticed as I walked by. I knocked on the door, and it pulled open, Lander glared right into my eyes and frowned.
“Jenna?”
“Sorry, I just need to speak with Mr Dalton.” I said.
He turned his head and looked over his shoulder, then back at me. “I was leaving anyway.” He said and stepped passed me. “Oh, and don’t forget, we need signatures of any potential suppliers or new authors this weekend. It means nothing unless we have their soul on paper.”
“I won’t forget.” I promised and watched as he left.
“Good morning, Jenna.” Reg Dalton smiled.
“Good morning, sir. I uh…,” I held up the memory stick. “I put the file on here for you.” I explained and walked towards his desk. I placed the memory stick in front of him and heaved a shaky breath.
“I will give it my undivided attention this weekend. It’s in safe hands and when you come back to work, I will have my answer for you.”
“Okay.” I smiled nervously. “Thank you.”
“Have a safe journey and enjoy your vacation. You have more than earned it.”
“I will try.”
I headed back to my office, Cain wasn’t at his desk and I felt better for it. Walking past him almost cut me in two, so at least I didn’t have to feel his eyes boring into my back. As I waited for the elevator, I could hear voices coming from a print room. Cain emerged holding some papers, I was about to smile,
“Cain.” Sienna, an attractive blonde chased after him.
“Thank you, Sienna.” He said as she handed him another sheet of paper.
“Don’t forget, my place, seven on the nose.” She added as he walked towards me.
“Okay, I won’t forget.” He promised over his shoulder. The elevator doors went ping behind me and opened, I turned to step inside. “Have a great trip, Jenna.” He smiled.
“Thank you.” I muttered and pressed the button to my floor. That was it then, it seemed Cain had moved on and now, so could I.
Sixteen
My plane touched down at DFW just after six, central time. I had forgotten that going east would also mean a change of time zone. I collected my bags and stepped outside. I had also forgotten how hot Texas was in the summer. I already missed the cooler, fresh breeze of Seattle.
I climbed into a cab and leaned back in my seat as it drove me to the city. I was away, away from that empty and lonely shell of a house, away from Cain and his incredible eyes, eyes that would look at Sienna now the way that he looked at me. Away from my lonely and dull life. For a whole week, I would be Aunt Jenna to my nieces, Tiffany and Brianna, I would be a sister and sister-in-law. I could forget about everything that had happened and be myself again.
Well, try to be myself again.
I arrived at the hotel and gazed up at the height of it. It stood at forty-five floors tall and I purposely asked for a room near the top so that I could have an amazing view for two nights.
“Good evening, Ma’am, how can I help you today?” a girl with blonde hair and green eyes smiled.
“I am here for the Literary Convention tomorrow, I have a reservation.” I explained and handed her the print out of the confirmation.
“Thank you, Ms Lindon.” She said and tapped my details in on her keyboard. “That will be charged to the company account, could you please sign here?” she asked and pointed on an invoice. I signed it and she handed me a key-card. “Room 448 on the forty-third floor. Enjoy your stay.” She chimed.
“Thank you.” I replied.
“Oh, there’s a Convention ‘meet and greet’ tonight at eight, if you would like to join them, they will be in the event lounge.” She added.
“Great, thank you again.” I smiled.
I rode the elevator up to the forty-third floor and found my room. I pushed open the door and marvelled at the huge bed and the floor level windows. I gazed out over Dallas, the huge high rises and the Dallas skyline was breath taking. Even as the sun set in the distance, Dallas seemed to sparkle. The plush, cream carpet felt soft as I kicked off my pumps and allowed my feet to sink into the pile.
I padded into the bathroom and switched on the light. The huge shower was the width of the back wall, tiled, floor to ceiling, in shell pink with a cream toilet and matching wash basin, the chrome sparkled it was polished so highly. I lifted the small bar of soap and inhaled its vanilla and magnolia scent.
Someone knocking on my door disturbed my exploring, so I raced to answer it. The bell boy, a tall man with dark hair and eyes, carried in my bags and smiled as I handed him a tip.
“Word to the wise, Ma’am.” He said before leaving. “The meet and greet gets a little out of hand, so unless you need to go, I would recommend you don’t.”
“Well, sounds like my kind of party.” I smiled.
“Okay,” he grinned. “Don’t say I didn’t warm you though.”
“I’ll bear that in mind.” I added as he left.
I unpacked my travel case and got out the black dress I had picked for the meet and greet when I packed my bags. I then took a shower and got ready. I wanted to grab a bite to eat before I went into the party, but as I put on my make-up, I decided that I couldn’t face eating alone again.
I didn’t want to be the first to arrive, so I went to the bar and ordered a glass of wine. Of course, I was carded and I expected no less. I was carded for proof I was over twenty-one wherever I went. No one seem to believe I was the age I actually was. Almost thirty-two, pathetically single and desperately lonely. It didn’t matter that I had been pulling grey hairs out for five years, I, apparently, didn’t look thirty.
Cain would be happier with a girl his own age, and Sienna was a nice girl, a little flirty from what I remembered, but nice all the same. He deserved to be happy, I could think that and say that, but I sure didn’t feel that way. I was jealous and disappointed in myself, I could have fixed this, all I had to do was admit that I had fallen in love with him.
I drank another glass of wine before I braved going in to the meet and greet. A girl called Simone handed me a lanyard with my name on it. I hooked it over my head and wandered across the room.
Stopping at the edge of the dancefloor, I sipped at my third glass of wine. I watched the attendees as they spoke to each other, drinking and laughing. I had been there almost fifteen minutes and decided that I should go back to my room. I was not in the mood for mingling when all I could think about was Cain going to Sienna’s. why would he need to, what would be the reason?
“I hate these things, don’t you?” a male voice asked from behind. “The awkward meet and greet where everyone tries to remember your name from last year, they are not completely sure though, maybe you were there last year, maybe you weren’t, but they are too embarrassed to ask you.” I turned around and he smiled, he had dusty blond hair and a friendly smile, wearing a dark suit with a red tie dangling loosely around his neck.
“Yes, which is why I am going to leave.” I agreed.
“Well, now, that’s a shame, you’re going to leave before the food comes out?” he said.
“I am not even hungry.” I replied with a wry smile.
“Neither am I, maybe we should hit the bar.” He suggested. “I’m Carter, by the way, Carter Nash.”
“Jenna Lindon.” I replied and held out my hand for him to shake it. His warm hand slipped into mine and he shook it lightly.
“So, are you a virgin?” he asked bluntly as I took a mouthful of wine, I almost choked it out.
“I beg your pardon?” I demanded wiping wine from my chin.
“Sorry, I’ll rephrase, are you a Publisher’s and Literary World Conference virgin?”
“Yes.” I admitted and frowned. He was a stranger, the use of the word virgin to me from a stranger was a huge no.
“So, how about it, bar?”
“I worked today, so I am really tired. I will give the bar a miss tonight, but thank you, Carter
, it was nice meeting you.”
“And you, Jenna. See you tomorrow?”
“No doubt you will.” I said placing my half-filled glass of wine on a table and left. I should have listened to the bell boy, that’s for sure.
I hurried up to my room and locked the door behind me. Being asked to go for a drink with Carter could have been completely innocent, but it was a risk I could not afford to take. How could I possibly consider drinking with another man when my heart already belonged to another?
I woke early with what I call a heavy head. It didn’t hurt, it just felt like I had a headache coming. Perfect, I was meant to speak with countless venders and potential associates. I needed a clear head and I didn’t have one Tylenol with me.
I dressed in a deep blue skirt suit with a cream blouse. I pinned up my hair and put on my make-up. Just before leaving my room to get some breakfast, my cell phone rang, it was Kate.
“Morning,” she chimed.
“Good morning.” I replied. “What can I do for you?”
“Nothing, Mr Dalton asked if I had checked that you arrived safely and if you were okay.” She replied.
“Mr Dalton or Mr Macalister?” I queried.
“Mr Dalton. Cain has been taken to the printers today.”
“I didn’t ask…”
“I know, I just thought I would tell you anyway. So, how was the meet and greet? I heard it gets rowdy.”
“I went for about twenty minutes, but, I felt tired and wanted to be refreshed for today, so I came back to my room and got an early night.” I replied.
“Alone?”
“Yes, alone, what do you think I am?” I snapped.
“I never meant, look, I’m sorry, okay?”
“Okay.” I sighed. “Well, I am going to get some breakfast, I will see you when I get back.”
“Sure, bye Jenna.” She said and ended the call.
I sat at a table and picked at the eggs I had ordered. I missed yolks, but heard once that white only scrambled eggs were good for you. They just looked like white marshmallow fluff and tasted of nothing, bland and dull, like my life.
“Morning, Jenna.” Carter smiled as he walked by my table.
“Morning.” I answered gazing up at him. He was gorgeous, but he knew it. His teeth had been whitened to movie star status and his fingernails looked manicured.
“I didn’t expect to see you up so early.”
“I have a lot to do before I start today.” I replied placing my fork down.
“Who are you representing?” he asked, gazing into my eyes with his almost violet eyes.
“Dalton, Brian and Brown.”
“Oh, the competition eh?”
“Oh really, so you are here with…?”
“Shcolster and Scott.”
“I see.” I suppressed my smile because if Mr Dalton knew I was speaking with the enemy, he’d probably have a stroke. “Well then, Mr Nash. Happy hunting.” I said and stood from the table.
He smiled again, “You as well, Ms Lindon.”
I left him in the restaurant and returned to my room to collect what I would need to take with me. I am not above admitting that I was nervous. I had been to smaller book signings and conferences, but this was going to affect so much for the house, not to mention our two newest authors, Sophie and Catelyn.
I arrived at the event hall towing my case that carried my presentation and banners that I needed to set up. I was escorted to my area where I had two tables and began setting up. I was to give a presentation and as I was handed the itinerary for the day, my presentation was set for after lunch.
I set up my banners and loaded the information for Sophie and Catelyn’s books onto the table in readiness for the afternoon. Once ready, I was then shown to a seat where I found a bottle of water, a note book and a pen.
I sat there for hours listening to many of the vendors discuss the issues surrounding publishing, copyrighting and piracy. How the larger vendors were struggling to keep it under control. They had a lot of questions surrounding subscribing to borrow books rather than buying them, and that to have this, the authors would be forbidden to sell their books on other platforms. Bringing in to question the legality of such a practice and in deed, the restrictions then imposed on publishing houses. The price of e-books from some were almost as much as the paperbacks, which posed more questions.
After a light salad for lunch at my table, I sipped my water and waited for us to be summoned back to our seats. The afternoon would see some of the publishing houses putting forward their ideas for a future deal which would mean a better deal for authors and publishers alike.
We were called back and I was invited onto the stage. I stood in front of everyone with what I had to read out. But as soon as I looked at them, my mind went blank and I stared at Carter who smiled. I cleared my throat and sipped at the glass of water on the podium.
“Who are our biggest competition?” I asked nervously. “I am Jenna Lindon and senior editor at Dalton, Brian and Brown. You could say the bigger publishing houses, Harper Collins, Little Brown, Simon and Schuster. But I don’t think they are, you could say the on-line platforms, e-books and you could say self-published authors. They seem to have a niche that appeals a new author rather than offering them a traditional contract. Put off by the legality of it all, the lack of control, the fact that pricing is inflexible and that is just the beginning…,” I then spoke about our new support of self-publishing authors, how we scour the best-selling lists and invite these stars to bring their work to us. If they don’t want to, then fine, but we can still negotiate for them, give them legal advice and if need be, help them with marketing.
I used the power-point presentation to show the figures and dazzle them all with numbers, of sales rankings and of Catelyn and Sophie signing with us. I was proud of the work I had put in and believed I got my points across, I only hoped they worked.
The applause echoed out as I left the stage. I hurried back to my table and grabbed my water. My hands were still shaking as I lifted my bottle to my lips.
“I’m impressed.” Carter grinned. “Supporting and recruiting indie authors, there is a huge market out there and the possibilities are endless. Ever thought of changing company, you know, coming to the dark side?” he asked.
“No. I am happy where I am.” I answered.
“Well, take my card at least. If you ever want to jump ship, give me a call, Jenna Lindon.”
“Thank you.” I said taking the card from him and sitting in my seat.
That afternoon I met with many new vendors of the publishing world. Cover designers, cover models, even a couple of new indie authors stopped by and gave me their details. One had even had offers of a movie deal, so I was keen to get as much information as I could. I also met with some TV networks who were willing to promote for us, so as Lander requested, I managed to get their signatures on some paperwork and advised we’d be in touch.
All in all, I felt that it was a huge success and would make the company more well known throughout the publishing world. As I packed up my table and lowered the banners, I felt someone watching me.
I turned my head and Carter grinned confidently and stated, “You have had a busy afternoon.”
“Have you been scoping out the competition then?” I quipped.
“Actually, due to the fact that you have a pair of the sexiest legs I have ever seen, I had a hard time keeping my eyes off you. So, yes, I was scoping you out.” He replied. It made me blush. “Please, don’t destroy my hopes of getting to at least know you a little better, by not coming to the dinner tonight.” He pouted playfully.
I smiled and felt my face warm even more, “I might.” I shrugged.
“Great, so, I’ll save you a seat then.” He said and walked away before I could utter a word.
I watched as he walked, his white, pin-striped shirt, clung to his arms, he obviously worked out and seemed quite the player. I was tired of being boring, of being dull and craved a little fun and excitement,
so meeting Carter for dinner may not have been the best idea, but at least I wouldn’t be eating alone again.
Seventeen
Dressed in a sleek, pewter dress that clung to my body, I walked across the lobby and even if I say so myself, heads turned in my direction. I felt good, confident, maybe there was life in my hips and legs yet. Carter obviously liked the look of me or he wouldn’t have kept on pestering me, much less invite me to dinner.
“Oh, my, Miss Lindon, you look sensational.” He said from behind as I hovered by the entrance to the hall. I was looking for him, but when I couldn’t see him, I felt slightly disappointed. I turned and smiled, he handed me a glass of champagne, “I believe you earned that.” He added.
“Oh really? Why is that?”
“You are the talk of the conference; your presentation has knocked some spots off of the regular front runners. Dalton, Brian and Brown are very lucky to have you on board.” He explained. He pushed out his elbow and smiled, “Shall we?”
“Sure.” I said and took hold of his arm.
We dined on an expensive menu which was all part of the deal, buttery escalope’s, prime-rib with a peppercorn sauce and salted caramel cheese cake. I drank far too many bubbles and laughed the night away. There was dancing and long talks where he told me about his life in LA, how he was going through a messy divorce and would miss his daughter. He talked about his company and bragged how he managed to pull them from the clutches of foreclosure and make them one of the leading publishing houses on the west coast. I say one of, because I worked for his main competition and I suppose I could have been seen as being disloyal. That wasn’t the case, I would never sell out the company who took a girl straight out of college with no experience and made her their top editor in little under five years. I wasn’t just an editor, I did a little of everything, but that was my job title.
