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I am about to continue when one of the suits butts in.
"I am sure that you know this book is different, Miss Hudson. Miss Morton has done Good Relations a favor by sticking with them over the past decade, and you have not had a more successful author. However, times change. This book is garnering a lot more interest than any other, and I am sure you understand that Miss Morton needs to explore her options."
I stare at Charlie. She isn't stunning by any means, but she isn't plain either. She has an air of confidence about her that people often get when they become famous in some way.
"I wouldn't blame you for exploring youroptions," I say directly to her.
That does something to her because her cheeks burn red, and she has no response except for a sly smile.
The suit pipes up again. "Miss Morton will not be making any rash decisions. I am sure Good Relations will understand."
"That does not mean that I will not work with you," Charlie says quickly.
I do my best to hold my smile. If I go back without the IP rights to the book, I am getting fired for sure.
I hold out my hand, and when she takes it, I cover it with my other. I squeeze a little. "It is a pleasure to finally meet you properly, Charlie. I will come and get one of my books signed when you are at the table later. I've been such a fan for so long."
"It is always nice to meet fans," she replies.
I get up from the table and exit the room.
What the fuck am I doing? I want to be taken seriously in this industry, and yet I am practically prostituting myself out to a middle-aged romance writer so someone else can get all the creditandmoney!
And what do I get?
Nothing!
I look back into the room and see Charlie staring out at me before the door is closed. It feels like my future is locked in that room, and there is no key. I turn and almost slam into the Tom Ford suit.
He finishes up his phone call and stares at me as if I walked straight into him.
I stick my hands on my hips, the frustration at the direction my life has taken rising within me.
"What the hell do you want with Charlie Morton?"I ask.
SIZING UP THE COMPETITION
"Miss Morton, thank you for meeting with me," I say.
It's been ten seconds, but that's all you need with most people. I can already tell who she is and the best way to attack this situation.
She might have written numerous awful romance novels, but she is showing no signs of romantic thoughts toward me. That either means she is happily married — though I do not see a ring, and no one isthathappily married that they cannot engage in a little flirting — or she is not interested in me, which would suggest she is not interested in men in general.
So the usual tactic is not going to work on this woman.
And then there are the suits. They are even easier to sum up. Most people think guys like that want money, and they do, but what they want more than that is control. They want to feel important for once in their lives. I will give them the money they want, but I will let them think they have taken it from me and not been given it.
If we all just said what we wanted, the world would be a much better place.
"You already know who I am. I am sure you had me thoroughly researched before you agreed to meet me, but you will only have heard the Cliff Notes version. You likely do not know that I am a collector of many things, and one of those things is literature. Do you know the reason why I collect literature, Miss Morton?"
"Is it money?" asks Charlie with a sardonic smile.
"Yes and no. I am a businessman, and I like to make money; there is no need to hide that. Yet, I also have a genuine love for literature, and I know a classic when I see one. I know a dozen publishing companies are fighting over this latest book, and it breaks my heart to imagine what will happen."
"What will happen, Mr. McDonagh? You are not a publisher, are you?"
"No, I am not. That is why I will not rip apart your latest work and squeeze it dry for every ounce of profit imaginable. I want you to see your vision come to life. I will not publish your work, nor will I adapt it or even create tacky merchandise. All I will do is protect it from the vultures and ensure it retains its integrity."
