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  My nerves wouldn’t let me sleep. I tried reading a book to coax me into slumber, but I read the same page three times before I closed it and returned it to my night table. The last time I looked at the clock it said three-thirty. It was set to wake me at six.

  I woke to the music of Maroon 5. They were singing something about it being harder and harder to breathe. It was appropriate. I felt just that way.

  After I got dressed, I opted for a granola bar for breakfast, thinking it would be easier to purge it if my nerves had their way with my stomach. I tossed the wrapper and locked my apartment door. My neighbor, Mrs. Whitney, was headed back to her door from the trash compactor room.

  “Good morning, Mrs. Whitney.”

  “Oh Alex, good morning. Don’t you look spiffy.”

  “Thanks. I’m starting my new position today. I was promoted yesterday.”

  Her eyes widened, smoothing out the multiple of creases that surrounded them. “How wonderful.” She stood in her doorframe. “You know, my niece will be coming to New York next month. Perhaps you’d like to come for dinner the night she visits me?”

  I smiled. She was always talking about her niece. I’m sure she was a lovely, young lady, but I had been in a few relationships, all of which didn’t work out in my favor. Three of the girls left me for other guys. The first said she preferred to be out dancing or taking in New York at night rather than spending a quiet evening being with me. The other two were definitely not women I wanted to spend the rest of my life with. One even stole a few things from my apartment when we broke up. I wasn’t in a rush to get involved with anyone, especially since I didn’t know what my new schedule would be like trailing Rebecca around Manhattan. A chosen single life was the way I opted for these days. “I appreciate the invitation, Mrs. Whitney, but I’ll probably be putting in a lot of hours in my new job. I’ll need to concentrate on establishing myself. I don’t want my boss to think she made a wrong choice with promoting me.”

  Mrs. Whitney nodded her head. “I understand. Still, I’ll let you know when she’s here and if you can make it to dinner you have an open invitation.”

  “Thank you, Mrs. Whitney.” The elevator door opened and I got in. I gave her a small wave before the doors closed.

  The building I lived in was located in the northwest corner of the theater district. I was a block from the number one train. Three stops then a short walk across the island to 28th and Park Street brought me to the local deli on the same block as my office building, where I purchased three cups of coffee, regular.

  I handed one to Rose when I walked in. “Why, thank you, Alex,” Rose said with a smile.

  “Just wanted to start my new job off the right way.” I stopped in front of the closed door.

  “You can go in. It’s your office now, too.”

  I hesitated then knocked on the door and waited to be told to enter.

  “Come,” I heard her say. I took a deep breath and walked through to my new career.

  Rebecca was on the phone. A stern voice put the person on the other side into place. “I told you to add that to the contract wording. My client will simply not consider placement with your company without that stipulation being in place. It’s an issue we’re not budging on.” She looked up at me. I handed her a cup of the coffee and backed up. She motioned toward the chair I sat in the day before. I did as I was told. “Fine. I’ll wait for your call. I’m giving you until this afternoon. Then my client and I will consider the other offers that have been made.” She hung up. “What’s this?” she asked.

  “Coffee, regular. I wasn’t sure if that’s how you drink it, but if you tell me, I’ll be sure to get it right from now on.”

  A smile spread across her lips. They were painted the same color as her pink blouse.

  “That’s very thoughtful of you. Thank you, but that’s not what I meant when I said you’d be assisting me.”

  I shifted in the chair.

  “I’ve e-mailed you a copy of our itinerary for today. In the future, you’ll have direct access to my calendar, as I will yours. For the first several months, we’ll be together for most of what needs doing, until you’re properly groomed. For now, we’ll discuss the projects you’ve been working on for the last few weeks before we leave to meet Gail Cranston, and then we have a lunch with Preston Price.” Gail was the editor-in-chief for one of the largest publishing companies on the east coast. It was almost impossible to even leave a message with her secretary, much less talk to her or see her in person. And I was going to have lunch with her. The benefits of my new position were already paying off.

  As she spoke, I found my focus on Rebecca’s lips. She was gently sipping from the cup I gave her. They mesmerized me. I couldn’t stop looking at them. Their plumpness and shape made me wonder how they felt. Thoughts of pressing my mouth onto hers, just to see if my suspicions were correct, distracted me.

  “From there, we’ll head over to Jonathan Sayers’s office. I make it a monthly stop to see if he’s come across any Indy authors who might have a product worth representation rather than self-publishing. Sometimes, independent authors are worth the investigation and investment,” she said, straightening the papers on her desk. “So, what have you got in the way of potential new writers?” My stupor was interrupted by her hard stare.

  “Oh, sorry. I’ll get my files.” I stood and lunged toward my new desk. Picking up the stack of files, I walked back to Rebecca’s desk. On the way, I tripped on the chair I had just vacated. Heading toward the desk, I stopped just before banging my thigh into the thick glass. Rebecca jumped up from her desk. Her hands braced my upper arms to stop my forward motion. Her touch was electric. Every nerve in my body crackled.

  Heat raced to my face. Averting my gaze, I looked at the files in my hand. “Sorry.” I ventured a slight look up toward her. Perfectly shaped, warm, brown eyes bore into me. The moment was heavy. She realized she had her hands on me and let go. My arms tingled and begged for her to put them back.

  “Are you all right?”

  “Um, yes. Thank you for stopping me from ramming into your desk. I guess I’m just a little nervous.”

  “Nervous? Why?”

  I re-took my seat and tried to collect my dignity. “This is the biggest thing that’s ever happened to me. I’ve been waiting my whole life to be a recognized agent, not to mention the world’s best is mentoring me.” I looked at her for her reaction then down at my hands in my lap.

  “Listen Alex, if you weren’t any good at what you do, I wouldn’t have chosen you to be my protégé. You’ve accomplished quite a nice track record during your time here at Stratford Literary. It’s precisely how you’ve conducted yourself up until this point that’s gotten you noticed. Just keep doing what you’ve been doing. My job is to refine your method a little.” She began to look through the names on the tabs of folders I had handed her. “Trust me, you’re doing fine.”

  That’s just what Lindsey had said to me the day before. I should start to believe it.

  After that, I relaxed and I brought Rebecca up to date on what I had been working on. Talking with her about good writing was a lot easier than I thought it would be. She recognized many shortfalls and strengths with the writers I shared with her, particularly one I had been very excited about.

  “Good. Call him. Offer him a contract.”

  “But you haven’t read his manuscript,” I protested.

  “But you have. You said it was good.”

  “Yes, but-“

  “Then I trust you. I’ve agreed with all of your recommendations so far. That’s another one of the reasons I chose you.”

  I sat back in my seat, finally feeling validated.

  Once Rebecca and I discussed the accounts I thought were worth a second look, we met with Gail Cranston. Her office was three blocks from ours. Rebecca briefed me on the reason for our appointment as we walked over; she was pitching a new manuscript from a writer she felt would be the next consistent best seller. Although I hadn’t re
ad the manuscript it sounded promising and something that a large chunk of the public would love. I was anxious to see Rebecca in action with her pitch to Ms. Cranston.

  Being as nervous as I was, I had to wipe my hands on my pants twice in the elevator. My first real day and already I was going to meet the biggest publisher in Manhattan. Rebecca strolled out of the elevator as if she were mayor. She checked in with the receptionist and we were escorted to Ms. Cranston’s office.

  “Rebecca, how great to see you.” Ms. Cranston was a tall, thin, very well dressed, older woman, maybe in her early fifties; a cross between Jackie O and Helen Gurley Brown. Her expression was serious, but not devoid of a smile.

  “Gail, this is Alex Ryan. My new protégé.”

  I shook her hand. “It’s a great honor to meet you, Ms. Cranston.”

  She offered us a seat at a small table she had in the corner of her office. “Can I get you some coffee, something to drink?”

  “Nothing for me, thank you,” Rebecca said, taking a seat at the table.

  I shook my head. “No, thank you.” I sat next to Rebecca.

  Gail Cranston took the seat on the other side of Rebecca.

  Rebecca started the meeting. “Gail, you know I like to get right to the meat of the meeting. I’m going to have lunch with Preston Price right after I leave you. He needs a short extension on his work in progress. Can I give him until the first of the month? I promise I’ll get it to you as soon as I’ve gone through it, and you know I’ll do my best to have that within the week he gives it to me.”

  Gail smiled. “Rebecca, you know I’ll give you whatever you want. You don’t have to get back to me until the end of the month.”

  Rebecca smiled. “Okay, but I’m still telling Preston the first. That way it gives me time to make sure it’s perfect for you. Also, I’ve brought this manuscript for you to look at. This girl has talent. I’m thinking a three-book deal to start. You’ll be able to get a series out of her.”

  Gail nodded. “I’ll read it tonight.” Gail put the manuscript on the edge of the table before turning toward Rebecca. Getting a manuscript read by someone like Gail Cranston was next to impossible. That she promised to read it that week was like handing an English-speaking space alien to a group of nerdy scientists. “Now that the business is done, on to more important things. Are you attending the fundraiser at the Waldorf?”

  “Of course. You?”

  “Yes.”

  From there, the woman discussed what they were wearing. Once the conversation shifted to couture, I was lost.

  Upon leaving Gail’s office, we hopped a cab to meet with Preston Price for lunch. His latest mystery novel had been on the New York Times Best Seller list for seventy-two weeks. Rebecca was in charge of all seven of his novels. He came to her after his second one flopped using Donovan Richards’ agency. Rebecca took him on mostly because Donovan dropped him. She wanted to prove that Donovan’s company was incompetent. Once she catapulted Price’s career into the world spotlight, Price shifted agent control exclusively to her and vowed his loyalty to her forever. It was a decision Rebecca was very proud of, even if she thought Price was overly dramatic, both in person and in his literature.

  “Preston, how are you?” Rebecca extended her cheek for him to kiss.

  “Fine, fine. You look wonderful,” the pretentious Price remarked. His slick, black hair had enough gel in it to grease a newspaper press, and his clothing reeked of the money he made courtesy of Rebecca. A pompous attitude lingered in the air around him. Before this meeting, I liked his work somewhat. Now that I saw what was behind the name, I decided I didn’t care for him as much.

  Rebecca played the game with him. “Preston, this is my protégé, Alex Ryan.” We shook hands.

  “How exciting, Rebecca. A protégé. Does this mean you’re finally sharing your secrets to success? And he’s so delicious. Are you single, dear?” he asked.

  I wasn’t sure if I should answer that.

  Rebecca giggled. “Alex is quite a fantastic agent in his own right, Preston. But you know, there’s always more an agent can learn in order to serve his or her client best.”

  Oh, she was good. Now I know why so many of her clients fell into her lap.

  The waiter came and took our order. The lack of prices on the menu suggested that I’d need a raise if I were to treat clients in this restaurant in the future. Rebecca and Preston went back and forth with small talk about celebrity types, which I found to be boring. Still, Rebecca made it interesting for Preston and pretended to be absorbed in everything he found worth chatting about. Rebecca discussed the final phases of the latest deal she had made on his behalf. He seemed pleased with everything she was able to negotiate with Gail Cranston for him. Mid-way through our meal, Preston addressed me.

  “So Alex, what type of work do you like to read?”

  I froze. Rebecca looked up and waited to hear my answer. A carefully considered response was necessary. I didn’t want to jeopardize any future clientele by dismissing a particular genre. “Well, Mr. Price, I love to read them all. I don’t have a particular favorite. I just enjoy good writing no matter the topic, such as your fine work.” I looked at Rebecca. She sat taller and puffed out her chest. Whew! I gave the right answer.

  We were too full for dessert. Rebecca handled the check and Preston Price gave her a hug and a kiss on each cheek. He gave my hand a hearty shake before saying good-bye.

  “You did very well, Alex,” Rebecca said, as we took another cab back to the office.

  “I didn’t want to embarrass you.”

  “You could never do that,” she said and smiled at me.

  It made me happy to have pleased her.

  Chapter Three

  Managing to get through the first week of my new position as Rebecca’s protégé, she offered to take me out for a celebratory dinner.

  “Normally, I don’t mix business and my personal life, but I like to reward employees for a job well done. I’ve invited Rose to join us, since I appreciate her, too. If it weren’t for her, my daily living would be a mess.”

  At seven fifteen, I shut down my computer and waited by Rose’s desk until Rebecca was ready to go.

  “So how did you like your first week?” Rose asked, making idle chit chat.

  “Well, I’m still here, so I guess I did okay. At least I didn’t mess up, otherwise I’d be on the street with my pencil cup and Magic 8 Ball, asking strangers if I could reconstruct their sentences.”

  Rose chuckled. Rebecca walked out of her, oops, I mean our office. “What’s so funny?”

  Rose glanced at me as if we were children caught talking during a movie. “Alex was just saying how he’s enjoyed his first week.”

  Rebecca’s eyes volleyed between us. “He did very well… so far.” She glared at me and stressed the last two words as if to warn me.

  Rose and I followed Rebecca to the elevator bank in silence; children behaving after getting caught doing something bad.

  Since the weather was agreeable, we decided to walk the seven blocks to the restaurant, rather than try our luck with hailing a cab at such a busy hour. What would have taken me twelve minutes to walk, took us twenty. I suspect it was because Rose didn’t walk as fast as Rebecca and I. We were seated immediately.

  “Ah, Ms. Stratford, your table is ready.” The maître ‘d ushered us toward the back of the room.

  The lighting was dim. It made reading the menu difficult. Rose squinted even with her freshly donned reading glasses. From across the table Rebecca’s fair skin glowed in the soft light. Instead of reviewing the choices from the menu, I found my focus on her eyes scanning the tri-fold booklet. Long lashes fluttered over large, amber pupils. She chewed her bottom lip as she contemplated the choices. A wave of heat coasted through my body.

  “Know what you’re having?” she asked Rose.

  “I think I’m in the mood for the salmon,” our chaperone said.

  “What about you, Alex?” Rebecca looked up at me and broke t
he trance I was in.

  “Um, I think I’ll have the Penne alla Vodka.”

  “Oh, it’s so yummy here.”

  Yummy? That wasn’t a word I expected from Rebecca Stratford. It sounded playful and relaxed. Was she relaxed with Rose and me? It was nothing I remembered seeing at staff meetings or the business functions that I recently joined her on. And it certainly wasn’t the mood she set in the office on a regular basis. Within the walls of Stratford Literary, it was all serious business. Fun was frowned upon. But I liked her use of this word. I felt a smile spread.

  “Something funny?” she asked.

  “Um, no.” I felt my smile melt and I looked down at the menu.

  Rebecca ordered a bottle of Chablis with dinner. Although I’m no connoisseur, I knew that a three hundred dollar bottle of wine must be good.

  I decided to break the awkward silence that hung in the air after the waitress took our order. “Rose, how long have you worked at Stratford?”

  The older lady sat back in her chair and thought about her answer. “Let’s see, I started the year after Rebecca bought out her predecessor. It must be eight years now, right Rebecca?”

  “Has it been that long?” Rebecca was stunned. “It’s true what they say, ‘time goes by…’ I feel as if I just started out on my own last week.” She smiled. Her whole face lit up when she did. She was a beautiful woman. The clingy silk dress hinted at her full breasts and the thin belt accentuated her small waist. She was curvy and smart, a dangerous combination. My cheeks felt hot as I wondered how she’d feel in my arms. “And, I was a mess until you got there, Rose.” She winked at me.

  Rebecca turned the conversation. “What made you come to our little company, Alex?”