Page 1 of The Publicist
Chapter 1
Caleb Evanstan isevery girl’s wet dream, with the body of a god and the voice of an angel. Girls want to bewithhim, and guys want tobehim. As one of Hollywood’s top celebrities, he’s living life to the fullest—parties, alcohol, women. Everything is handed to him on a silver platter. When he’s sober, he actually is a decent actor. Everyone in my line of business wants to get their hands on him, but I’m unlucky enough to get the opportunity.
I’m finishing a press release for a well-known rock band. The drummer got caught up in a small drug investigation when he bought some ecstasy off an undercover cop—stupid! Thad, my boss, knocks on my door. I look up, a bored expression on my face.
“Hey, Quinn, you got a minute?” It is never a good thing when he asks if I have a minute to spare. Usually, that means I’m either being suckered into something I won’t be happy with, or he is trying to ask me out—again.
“Thad, remember our conversation about whennomeansno?” I look back at my screen to finish my work as he strolls into my office and sits across from me.
“I’m not asking you out, Quinn; I won’t make that mistake again.” I give him my full attention and cross my arms over my ample chest, leaning back in my chair. “You’ve been hired for a job.” He smiles at me as if it’s supposed to make me want to jump at the opportunity.
“Yayfor me. Who and when?” I ask in a bored tone, a smirk crossing my features. I work my ass off to be known asthepublicity girl. I kick ass and take names. I have a way of spinning any story to make it work in favor of the client. Let’s just say, I have a way with words.
“Caleb Evanstan. You start tomorrow.”
The smirk drops from my face. I uncross my arms and turn back to the computer and start clacking at the keys. “No. Give it to Amanda. She can handle the lost puppy.”
He stands and leans over my desk, planting both hands down in an attempt to show his dominance and his power as my boss. It’s his favorite power move and he knows it doesn’t work on me, but he tries it anyway. “I’m not asking you, I’m telling you. You’re taking this job.”
I stand and mirror his stance, hardening my stare. “You better be paying me weekend hours at double time then.”
“You’re salaried.” There’s a shimmer of humor in his eyes.
“Mr. Evanstan doesn’t know that. You will work a big fat bonus into this deal if I have to help him pull his head out of his ass. Once you ensure I have my bonus, I’ll take the job. Otherwise, pass it to Amanda.” My last four words are clipped. He knows I’m not going to back down, and he relents.
He stands up straight and rubs his hands down his face. His actions let me know how annoyed he is. “If I can ensure you a nice payday, will you take it?”
I cock my head to the side and study him. “Why is it so importantItake it?”
“Because, you, Quinn Harrison, are the biggestbitchin this industry and you don’t take shit from anyone. He needs someone like you so he doesn’t blow his career.” He takes a deep breath and pushes it out. “Plus, I’m doing this as a favor to my cousin who works forReel Studios.”
“Ah, so the real reason emerges.”Victory! I knew there was more to this than he was letting on.
“Quinn, you’re the best at your job. You know this, and I know this.” His voice changes tone. “Also, youdoknow you’re the only person who talks to me like this, right? Everyone else is scared shitless of me, but you could give a rat’s ass. Caleb is going to fight you tooth and nail. I need someone with a backbone and who will push back on him.” He points his index finger in my direction. “That’s you. Amanda wouldn’t last a day around that guy.”
“Sure she would. Have you seen her? She looks like a model.”
“Yes. He’ll listen to her long enough to fuck her and send her on her way.”
“Wow, Thad, tell me how you really feel about her.” Amanda is actually an extremely intelligent woman and very good at her job. I don’t like when Thad thinks she’s just a pretty face. I also understand the truth in his words. I have a little more meat on me and he is less likely to find me as pretty or as fuckable.Ouch.It hurts, but it’s nothing that I haven’t heard before.
“Quinn, please. You know I wouldn’t send you if I thought you couldn’t handle him.” His voice softens as he speaks the words, his shoulders slouching ever so slightly.
“Can I start on Monday? I have plans this weekend and would rather not break them.”I have a date and I’m hoping to get lucky.
“No. Steve, his agent, was very clear that you have to start this weekend. Caleb is attending a gala to raise money to fight world hunger, and he’s the special guest for the evening. You need to make sure he does his due diligence this weekend. He needs to smile for the cameras, give his speech, and talk with the prominent donors, not cause a scene.”
“Sounds like free alcohol and a pretty gown for me. Hope there’s a budget for a new dress, Thad. I don’t have anything in my closet that would be acceptable for a gala.”
“I’ll make arrangements to have a few dresses brought to your room at the hotel, so you can try them on. Just give Julie your size before you leave.”
“Just make sure to get that bonus or I won’t be going. You have one hour until I leave, and if I don’t hear back from you before then, I’m out.”
He leaves my office and I sit back down, pulling up a Google search on Caleb. I know Thad will get me that bonus, even if he has to pay for it himself. I have to learn everything I can about the superstar; I don’t want to be thrown any surprises during our meeting tomorrow.
With his Wikipedia page pulled up, I begin jotting down notes. He is thirty-two years old, has dark brown hair, dark chocolate brown eyes, and muscles to spare. As I sit drooling over the picture in front of me, an email comes in from Thad.
Quinn,