Page 1 of Hot SEAL, Under Pressure

ChapterOne

The tall, impeccably dressed, sophisticated woman standing at the head of the conference table was the perfect representation of what Shelly Laurens wanted to be. And everything she currently wasn’t.

Joanne Rossi silently emitted power and control, wrapped in a cool sleek package. Fashionable but not trendy. Feminine while also being strong and slightly intimidating.

The executive producer of New Millennia Media was a no nonsense, get shit done kind of woman, rising to the top in a male dominated field, and Shelly wanted to be her.

For now, she’d have to settle for working for her.

“Shelly. You’re up. What have you got?” Joanne asked, focusing all of her attention on Shelly just as she had been daydreaming about the day she would stand at the head of this table as the boss.

Luckily before the meeting started Shelly had rehearsed her answer for the question she knew was coming.

“So tomorrow we’re filming the final episode of this season onTrash to Treasurewith the bigHot Housecross-over event. It’ll be the reveal of Zach and Gabby’s backyard makeover, while they’re hosting the co-ed bridal shower for Clay and Tasha.”

“I love it. Will Nick and Dani be there?” Joanne asked.

“Yes, ma’am.” Shelly nodded.

She knew the three reality shows the San Diego branch of the Burbank-based production company handled were Joanne’s favorite. The shows had been the reason Joanne made such frequent trips down the coast over the past couple of years.

Of course, Joanne’s new SEAL boyfriend was the more recent reason for her frequent visits to Coronado.

“Perfect.” Joanne looked happy, which was a very good thing. When the EP was unhappy,everyonewas unhappy.

Shelly smiled too. The cross-over finale was going to be the event of the season and it had been all her idea.

Although she hadn’t gotten a whole lot of credit or praise for it. Being an associate producer meant the producer got the public credit for her ideas.

She couldn’t help but hope that would change one day soon. A raise. A promotion. A promotion that came with a raise…she’d be happy with anything.

Until then, she had to keep killing it at this job and keep herself front and center and in the good graces of the powers that be at New Millennia Media.

One of those powers was Joanne—executive producer, show runner and Navy SEAL obsessed, even before she’d met her new man. That was evidenced by the number of reality shows she’d crafted around select SEALs from Coronado during the past three seasons.

It was that SEAL obsession Shelly intended to use to get ahead in her career.

The moment she’d heard the gossip about Joanne’s new beau Jacob strutting onto the set of the bridal show in his US Navy dress uniform to whisk Joanne away, Shelly’s mind had begun to spin.

The romantic scene was the stuff Hollywood legends were made of—and it had all been caught on camera. Not that Joanne would ever allow her personal life to be aired. But she couldn’t stop the talk, and it had given Shelly an idea. An idea she hoped would propel her from associate to full-fledged producer sooner rather than later.

Coming up with ideas for episodes was one thing. But coming up with a concept for an all new, hopefully blockbuster show—that would be tremendous.

“All right. Thanks, everybody. That’s a wrap.” Joanne dismissed the group and turned her attention to her cell phone.

As the meeting broke, all the other attendees scurried off to their assignments. But Shelly hung back.

“Um, Joanne.” Shelly raised her hand like she was a schoolgirl. She quickly lowered it again when she realized what she’d done.

Cell still in hand, Joanne’s brows rose along with her gaze as she pinned Shelly with a stare. “Yes?”

“I have a concept for a new show.” She saw Joanne’s walls go up at the words.

Okay, so maybe as EP Joanne did get bombarded with show ideas all the time from everywhere and everybody. But Shelly would never get anywhere if she didn’t at least try to make the pitch.

With that thought steeling her nerve, she continued.

“The concept is centered around the Navy SEAL training at Coronado,” she explained, knowing SEALs were Joanne’s catnip.

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