by M. S. Parker
“Sorry to disturb.” When he smiled, he flashed teeth far too white to be natural. “I'm your new neighbor.” He pointed at the office to the right of mine. “George Hamilton, no relation to the actor.” His laugh made me want to squirm, and not in a good way.
“Hi.” I forced a smile and walked over to him, holding out my hand. “I'm Krissy Jensen. So nice to meet you.”
“I have to ask,” he said. “There are a few of us who are very curious about something. In fact, we have a bet going and need you to settle it.”
I had a feeling I wasn't going to like where this was going.
He grinned at me with those obscenely white teeth. “What exactly did you have to do to land this job?”
“Excuse me?” My question was flat. He couldn't mean what I thought he meant.
“You know,” he said. “What 'favors' did you have to provide to get hired for this kind of position?”
The pleasant mask had slipped a bit and I could see in his eyes that he thought I was nothing more than a high-priced whore.
My mouth tightened and I could hear blood rushing in my ears. “You want to know if I had to do more than blow the boss to earn this?” I could tell my blunt question startled him. Most women probably got all embarrassed or defensive. I wasn't about to do either. I took a step towards him. “Is that what you're asking, George? You want the details, right? So you can get off picturing it later?”
That smile faltered and I saw a flash of anger.
“You want to know if I fucked him? Let him bend me over his desk? Take it up the ass? Use me like a whore?” I was just a few inches from him now and the scent of his cologne was almost overwhelming. “I don't suppose it ever occurred to you that a woman could be hired for more than a nice pair of tits and a tight ass.”
“I-I...” he stammered.
I didn't let him say anything else. “Don't worry. I'm not going to report you for sexual harassment. I don't need HR to send you to some sensitivity training. What I am going to do is make sure that you and the rest of the assholes who think I fucked my way into this job regret it, by making you all look completely worthless to this company.” I took a step back. “Now get the fuck out of my office. I'm sure you have some ass-kissing to do.”
It wasn't until he left that I felt my nails biting into my palms. My hands were actually shaking, I was so pissed. I'd been afraid this would happen, that people would assume I'd slept with DeVon for the job. That just made me want to work twice as hard to prove that I could not only do this but excel at it. I might've gone a bit too far with George, but I knew his type. He was the kind of guy who'd take embarrassment or outright denial as an admission of guilt because he didn't believe there was any way a woman could be hired because she was better for the job than he was.
I just hoped I was as good as I'd made myself out to be.
It took me a couple minutes to regain my composure as I finished sorting the files. I kept my eyes on my work, not wanting to look out and see if Tracy had heard the confrontation. I really didn't want to be labeled the company bitch. When I did risk a glance up, she was watching me and gave me a thumbs up. That was enough to tell me that most of the employees, at least the female ones, thought George was a dick too.
I'd just reached the bottom of the box when my phone rang. That was surprising, since I'd assumed my calls would come through Tracy. I picked it up.
“Krissy.”
My insides twisted at the way my name sounded coming from DeVon. I couldn't stop myself from wondering what it would sound like in bed, heated with passion.
“Yes?” I nearly squeaked and my face burned.
“I have a lunch with an executive from Universal Pictures and I'd like you join me.”
I knew it would piss off some people if I got to go to a business lunch with the boss and some big-wig from Universal, but it was too good of an opportunity to pass up. I wanted to succeed at this job now more than ever, just to prove to everyone that I could do it.
“Of course,” I said before I could second-guess it.
“Meet me at the restaurant ten minutes early so we can go over a few things. Tracy can give you the address and directions,” he said. “You do have a car, right?”
“No,” I admitted. “Not yet. I'm going to look for one this week. Until then, it's cabs.”
“You do know how to drive, right?”
“Of course.” I would've been annoyed at the question but I knew too many New Yorkers who'd never bothered to learn. Assuming that I'd know would've been rude.
“Take one of the company cars, then. Tell Tracy to get the keys for you.”
“Okay, Mr. Ric-I mean, DeVon. I'll see you there.”
I didn't get a response because the line was already dead. He hung up before I'd finished speaking.
Like I'd said before. Asshole.
Chapter 16
I really liked the BMW Tracy gave me the keys for. It handled like a dream. Like most company cars, it was black, but I wondered what it would look like cherry red. Maybe I'd look into one for myself.
I handed the keys to the valet as I walked past him into Spago's, one of the most famous restaurants in Beverly Hills. I had a feeling this was one of those places that took reservations a year ahead of time unless you had connections. I was wagering DeVon had connections.
“Krissy.”
His voice drew my attention and the pretty woman who was waiting to seat me motioned me to go ahead. I walked slowly, hoping I looked more calm than I felt. I was wearing a simple black dress since, on my first day, I didn't want to look too flashy or too dowdy, but now I wasn't so sure that had been the right choice. The way DeVon's eyes ran down my body, then back up again, told me he approved.
He stood as I approached and pulled out a chair. He then kissed first one cheek, then the other. It shouldn't have surprised me considering the faint Italian accent that told me he hadn't been born here, but I hadn't been expecting the heat from his lips against my skin and it was all I could do to keep from shivering.
I sat and hoped my face wasn't red. DeVon didn't seem to notice anything off as he handed me a menu. I wondered if it would be inappropriate for me to order something alcoholic. I really wanted a drink. I refrained, however, and just asked for water. I had a feeling DeVon wasn't someone I wanted to let my guard down with.
“We're meeting Jake Morris,” DeVon began. “He's the second or third most powerful executive at Universal, depending on which of the top three you ask.”
I gave a half-smile.
“Here,” he said as he gestured around us, “is where the big deals are made. Forget those lists that tell you who's looking for what. No star gets hired that way. It's all about connections. You bring someone like Jake here, you charm him and convince him that he needs your client. That is how stars are made.”
It came as no surprise that, in Hollywood, it was more about who you knew than how talented you were. There weren't many places where that wasn't true.
“You have a fire inside you, Krissy.” DeVon's voice grew quieter. “And that is a good thing, but that must be tempered in situations such as this. You must charm these people, not insult them.” One side of his mouth tipped up in a crooked smile. “Not all of them find a smart mouth to be as...appealing as I do.”
I was saved from having to figure out a response to that when DeVon suddenly stood. I did the same.
“Jake.” DeVon was all business now.
I was smoothing down my skirt, so I didn't see Jake until I was reaching for his hand. I had to admit, he wasn't anything like what I'd been expecting. You hear Universal Pictures executive and you think three piece suit and a haircut that cost more than a car.
Jake appeared to be in his forties and looked like he'd spent most of his youth in a 'peace, love, hope' movement. His hair was still long and he had it pulled back in a ponytail. He wore a suit that was obviously tailored to his slender body, but the clothes had a relaxed, almost rumpled look. Now I didn't feel so underdressed
.
“I must say, DeVon,” Jake said as we all sat down. “When you said you were bringing someone new, I wasn't expecting to see someone so young and beautiful.”
I gave him a smile. “Thank you. And when DeVon said we were meeting an executive from Universal, I definitely wasn't expecting anyone like you.” I gave him my most charming smile.
“Disappointed?” he asked, raising an eyebrow.
“Not at all.” I sipped at my water.
When the waiter came over, we ordered. Everything looked delicious, but there weren't any prices. I didn't want to look like I was trying for the most expensive thing on the menu simply because it was a business lunch, so I stuck with something that looked simple, but appetizing. Smoked Jidori Chicken, wild field mushrooms and Yukon Potato Puree. After Jake and DeVon ordered – pizza with house-made Lamb Merguez sausage, roasted peppers and Cippolini onions for Jake, and a prime ribeye steak with glazed carrots, radishes and Armagnac-Peppercorn sauce for DeVon – we carried on with the small talk.
Or, I should say, Jake and I carried on with the small talk. DeVon said very little as Jake openly flirted with me and I smiled graciously and answered his questions. He never got too personal, but he made it clear he found me attractive. This, apparently, was how the game was played. And I was good at it.
“So a Columbia graduate with a law degree,” Jake sounded impressed. “Looks and brains. You hit the jackpot with this one, DeVon.”
He smiled, but I couldn't tell if it reached his eyes.
“What do you think, Krissy? Could I steal you away from Mirage?” Jake asked. His fingers brushed mine as he reached for cream to put into his third cup of coffee. “I'd treat you so much better than DeVon.”
“That's very tempting,” I said. “I'll keep it in mind for when my week's up. After all, I've been told that if I don't like my job at the end of the week, I can quit, right?” I looked at DeVon, waiting to see if I got any reaction.
He gave me a slight nod and took a sip of his red wine.
“I'm surprised you'd ever consider letting her go,” Jake said. He let his eyes run over me. His gaze was just short of being overly friendly. It was enough to let me know that he was only partially teasing and that, if I said the word, he'd take me to bed, but not so much that I felt like I needed a shower afterwards.
“Any dessert?” the waiter asked as he cleared a few empty plates.
All three of us refused. I wasn't sure I'd be able to finish what was in front of me.
Jake leaned back in his chair and folded his hands over his stomach. “I think that's your cue to talk about the reason for your invitation, DeVon. I know you didn't bring me here for my wit.”
DeVon didn't deny it or try to sugar-coat it. I liked that.
“You're casting for a new action movie and I want Jason Cooke to star in it.”
Jake chuckled. “I hope you like blunt and straightforward, Krissy, because your boss always tells it like it is.”
“Jason's a rising star,” DeVon continued without acknowledging Jake's comment to me. “He just needs a shot at carrying a film.”
Jake rubbed his chin as if he were considering it. “I don't know. The role calls for someone a bit older than Cooke. We're thinking the James Bond type.”
“But isn't James Bond a sex symbol?” I angled myself so I was facing Jake. “You want someone with charisma, good looks and that special something that makes women weak in the knees.”
Jake nodded, letting me go on.
“Jason has that, plus the acting chops to give him that maturity.” I slowly uncrossed and re-crossed my legs. “You'll get the older women drooling over the forbidden fruit, younger ones who can ogle without feeling like they have a daddy complex, and he's a man's man that guys will relate to.” I leaned forward slightly and watched Jake's eyes flick down to my breasts, then back up again. “DeVon wouldn't have suggested Jason if he didn't think our client could deliver.”
“I'm still not sure,” Jake said, but I could tell he was wavering. “We were thinking of getting a big name to headline.”
“I'm sure your movie is brilliant enough to draw a crowd with someone who isn't quite as famous as one of your blockbusters.” I took a sip of water and licked the excess moisture off of my lips. “Put a clip in the trailer of Jason Cooke without a shirt and you'll get plenty of people coming for the eye candy.”
Jake laughed again. “She's good,” he said to DeVon. He drained his coffee and stood. “All right. I'll take a sit down with the kid.” He looked at DeVon. “And he better be as good as she just made him out to be.”
“He is,” DeVon said as he stood and reached for Jake's hand.
When Jake shook my hand, he lingered a bit longer than necessary, but not long enough to make me uncomfortable. Wow, he really was good at this.
“I look forward to seeing you again.”
“Likewise.” I smiled as I watched him go. I glanced at my phone. “I should probably be getting back if I have any hope of getting through those manuscripts.”
“You did well,” DeVon said. He leaned down and scrawled something onto what I assumed was the bill. “And you're right. We should return to the office.”
We walked out to where the valets were waiting. They went to get our cars, leaving us standing on the sidewalk, an awkward silence between us.
“I am having a party at my house Friday night,” he said suddenly. “You should come.”
I stared at him, unable to hide my surprise at the invitation. What the hell was he playing at?
He held up his hands, palms out. “Strictly business. After the way you handled yourself in there, I think you should attend. Jake will be there and we can solidify any details if he hasn't contacted me about meeting with Jason. There'll also be a few other casting directors there, along with some of our biggest clients. Including Jason Cooke.” His eyes sparkled.
“I should probably know what he looks like since I was talking him up, right?” I smiled. I'd wondered if he'd realized I'd been skirting the truth, making it seem like I'd known Jason when I didn't.
“You were very careful to never say anything that was an outright lie,” DeVon said. “Everything was an implication. That was very much a lawyer thing to do.”
I shrugged. “You know what they say about taking the girl out of the city, right?”
“So you will come?”
I hesitated. I wanted to go, partially because it'd be good for my career, but also because I was curious to see how DeVon handled a room.
“You can even bring a friend.”
“Okay,” I said, unable to conceal how excited I was. I had absolutely no idea who I'd bring, but if I had to, I'd go alone. I wasn't going to do anything that could screw this up for me.
“Excellent,” he said. He gave me a once-over. “It's semi-formal, so wear something similar to that, but not in black. I'd like to see you in something with color.”
And with that statement, he climbed into his car and left me wondering what he'd meant, if it had been my boss telling me a way to dress for clients...or something else.
Chapter 17
I was pleasantly surprised at how quickly I settled into a routine at Mirage. Tracy was a tremendous asset and made sure I knew what I needed to know. Client lists, protocol, filing systems. She was so good at it, I wondered why she wasn't an agent herself.
I met other colleagues, some of whom were as welcoming as Tracy, but a few who still gave me dirty looks that I assumed meant they thought I was sleeping with DeVon. George, at least, had kept his distance. I still saw him every once in a while, shooting glares in my direction, but he never approached me, so I was fine with it.
At the end of the week, I scheduled my first client meetings. I hadn't yet met with either woman in person, but I'd been doing some work on their behalf, calling places, pulling strings, and I had good news for both. At least, I hoped they'd take it as good news. There was always the chance that either or both thought they were above the auditions I'd
booked, but everything I'd heard about them both had been good.
Cami Matthews was a petite, delicate-looking blonde in her late twenties but could easily pass for eighteen. I'd gotten her an audition for a small role as a victim on a well-known crime show, a network television drama for the part of the free-spirited middle sister, and a movie based off of a book about nuclear war where she'd play the little sister to the main character.
Lena Dunn was a tall, striking brunette with caramel-colored skin. She was older than Cami by six years, but she actually looked like an adult, so there were no college roles for her. I'd found her auditions for a small role as a reporter in what would probably be a summer blockbuster, a romantic comedy for the role of the bitchy new girlfriend, and a guest role on a cable medical show where she'd play a nurse who was having an affair with a doctor.
