The Fame Game

Ash cups my shoulder for support. This time, we don’t exchange words, the sadness on her face slicing a hole in my chest. We would typically make plans for lunch, but I doubt I will make it through the morning. She turns left at the reception desk, and I go right toward my office.

There’s nothing I can say to change my actions. The image of Nico and me in the paper haunts me, like a bad dream or a nightmare. It felt so good to kiss him and know what it felt like to have his soft lips on mine and his arms around me.

Within seconds of dropping my purse onto my desk, Burke’s voice booms through the intercom speaker.

“Willow, in my office! Now!”

As I make my death-row walk down the hallway, I curse myself for ruining my career. I should have been more careful. But I don’t regret kissing Nico.

I rub my sweaty palms down the sides of my dress. My throat is dry, my tongue as rough as sandpaper. Burke’s assistant waves me on when I enter his reception area. She purses her lips, giving me a weary look that confirms my suspicions.

Burke is behind his desk, hands balled into fists with an angry snarl aimed at me. He grabs the paper from his desk and flings it at me. “What is this shit?”

This morning’s copy of Variety lands on the floor a few feet in front of me.

He points a long finger at the leather chair across from his desk. “Take a seat.”

Ash’s question rolls around in my head. Is Nico worth it? Even though I know what’s coming, the answer is still yes. Nico showed me that imperfect people are perfect in their own ways.

I sit in the chair across from Burke and grip the arms to keep my hands from shaking.

“I never expected this from you,” Burke growls. “You begged me for the chance to work with Nico. I gave you a chance, and this is how you repay me? By sleeping with a client. You trashed our reputation. I had to explain to the head of Sony that this behavior is uncharacteristic for a Brenton-Lake agent. Do you have any idea what that phone call was like for me? Do you?”

“No, sir. I’m sorry about the trouble I’ve caused. I never meant—”

“You didn’t think, Willow. Nico Chase is a liability. I tried to tell you that from the start.”

Burke has yet to look me directly in the eyes. He folds his arms over his chest, staring up at the ceiling as he sinks into the leather chair.

“I’m sorry,” I say in a hushed voice. “I was only trying to help Nico.”

“How did this start?”

“We were rehearsing his lines. The scene required a kiss. And things just spiraled out of control from there.”

“You violated the terms of your contract,” he snapped.

Pushing down my tears, I take a deep breath. “I don’t want to lose this job, Mr. Burke. Please. Brenton-Lake means everything to me.”

“This is an unforgivable offense.”

“Please. I will do whatever it takes.”

He shakes his head. “Unfortunately, we have to end your contract.”

“But I signed Nico and Carrie Le Blanc. They’re my clients.”

“No, they’re clients of Brenton-Lake.”

What’s the point in pleading with someone who’s already decided my fate? He knew before I walked into his office that he was letting me go.

Burke pushes out his hand in front of him to silence me. “I don’t want to hear another word. As per the terms of the agreement, you will give up your commission for Nico’s contracts.”

“But…”

“You can fight if you wish, but you won’t win in court.”

Bile rises from the back of my throat, choking me. “So, that’s it?”

He tips his head toward the door. “Pack your shit. I want you out within the hour.”

I’m leaving Brenton-Lake, but Nico and Carrie are coming with me.

Chapter Twenty-Six

Nico

I’m leaving in the morning. It took me all of twenty minutes to pack, but I can’t bring the only thing I want to take to New Zealand. Willow lost her job because of my stupidity. And now, she’s stuck in Los Angeles, forced to deal with hateful press and paparazzi that have camped out on her lawn for days.

Willow stands in front of the mirror with a towel wrapped around her waist.

I come up from behind her and grip her hips. “I will miss this view,” I say against the shell of her ear.

She giggles. “I’ll be here when you get back.”

I brush her hair off her shoulder as I bend down to plant soft kisses along her skin. “I’ll miss this, too.”

“Are you ready for tomorrow?”

I blow out a deep breath. “As ready as I will be.”

“You can do this, Nico. Stop worrying.”

“I’m not,” I lie.

She smirks at me in the mirror. “Please. I can see it on your face. You’ve been brooding around the house for the last few days.”