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“Now, details,” Chris said. “First, I will be accompanied by my assistant, whose expenses will be covered.”
“You have an assistant?”
“Of course. This book is turning out to require the sort of administrative oversight I’m hardly in a position to provide. I’m a writer, not a secretary.” He shot Daphne an apologetic look, but she only smiled. She knew the difference between his Zane opinions and his Chris ones, and he didn’t need to clarify.
Chris continued, “Her expenses will be covered, and she will accompany me to all events and signings, where she will provide all necessary assistance.”
“Your publicist will be accompanying you.”
“Excellent. However, I still require Daphne. Now, I know I’m putting you on the spot with these requests, Lawrence, but I am quite willing to speak directly to the publisher about them. If that is the case, I would like someone from their accounting department on the call, so that we might discuss the profitability of this tour, which I presume they have not arranged to treat me to a mini-tour of the States.”
Lawrence chuckled. “Not exactly. Yes, it’s about selling books. The tour should keep you on the bestsellers lists, which will further prod sales. I suspect the store events will require a purchase to attend.”
“Then the publisher’s profit will allow Daphne to accompany me. I also require business-class seats on all flights of more than an hour. I’m over six feet tall. I cannot sit in economy.”
Daphne stared at him. That was never going to—
“I can’t guarantee it,” Lawrence said. “But I’ll definitely try.”
“Daphne also requires business class, being nearly six feet herself.”
Lawrence hesitated.
“If they wish to argue, remember that I want an accountant present. Two business-class seats for all flights over an hour. For flights under an hour, business-class seats on trains are preferred for ecological reasons. As for hotels, four stars only. Two rooms. Adjoining. High-speed internet. King-size beds.”
“That should be fine.”
“Good. I would also like a per diem. I don’t wish to fuss with saving and submitting receipts. If they say they cannot do that for tax purposes, I will—again—speak to someone in their accounting department. We will discuss the per diem, but they must remember that I am a very active man. I have a high metabolism.”
“Understood.”
“Excellent. Send me their responses—”
“Hold on.”
Daphne tensed. Lawrence was going to suggest Zane rein in his demands. Lawrence would do what he could but, really, Zane was overstepping.
Lawrence continued, “I’ll need you to be in LA a day early to meet with some people. We have film interest.”
“Film interest?”
“Film and television. We’ve had it for a while. But Lucy has been fending it off.”
“Lucy?” Chris looked at Daphne, who shrugged.
“Your film agent.”
She had a film agent?
Lawrence continued, “We were gambling on strong opening sales to bolster interest and maximize the playing field. I’ve whittled the list down to seven, and as long as you’re in LA…” He chuckled. “It is home to Hollywood, after all. The players are there, and if they’re serious about acquiring this property, they’ll agree to meet with you Friday before the festival.”
“That is…” Chris looked at Daphne, who was too thunderstruck to answer. “Acceptable,” he said. “Yes, I believe that will be acceptable.”
CHAPTER ELEVEN
CHRIS
Film interest,” Daphne breathed, her eyes glassy with shock. “He did say that, right? That people are interested in making a show out of my book.”
