Page 57 of Long Story Short

‘Surely it’s up to Jake what he writes?—’

‘Freya,’ Hayley cut in impatiently. ‘Who is Jake’s agent?’ she demanded, eyebrow raised.

I flinched at her tone and the look on her face. ‘You are, of course.’

She nodded. ‘Exactly. Now, you went rogue in New York, which we very much need to talk about, but I was pleased you finally showed initiative and did exactly what I asked you to do. Now his publishers are keen to discuss a new contract, it’s my turn to do my job.’

‘I’m just glad to be in the meeting,’ I said meekly.

‘It will be good for you to see how to pitch and negotiate for your own clients one day,’ Hayley said, beaming at me like I had pleased her. I relaxed a little bit in my chair. ‘So, I want you to listen and take notes, and not say anything unless I tell you to. And for goodness’ sake, don’t mention the disaster that was the first panel session. We are focusing on what went well.’

‘Definitely,’ I said firmly.

Hayley eyed me across her desk. ‘Remember that whatever I say in there is to get Jake the best deal possible, okay? Sometimes as an agent, you need to sprinkle a little bullshit over things like icing on top of the cake. Just to make sure you get what you want.’

I was unsure what she meant. Was she going to lie about something to get Jake a better deal? ‘But Jake’s book is brilliant and?—’

Hayley waved her hand. ‘No need to fangirl without him here to hear you, Freya. The book is fine, a little mushy for my taste but that’s what he does so well, and why he is so popular. His publishers will eat it up, I’m sure. I expect the full red-carpet treatment for him today.’

‘But you said you thought it was one of his best books…’ I said, remembering what Hayley had said in her office with Jake before we went to New York.

‘Of course I had to tell him that,’ she said with a chuckle. ‘You need to get stronger or this business will chew you up and spit you out. Learn from me and you’ll do fine. If all goes well today, we can talk about the next steps for you and your career.’

I smiled. ‘That would be great, Hayley, thank you.’

She stood up. ‘We should make our way over to meet Jake. I think we can get him one of his best deals so far.’

I stood up too. ‘Wow, just because of what we did at the conference?’

Hayley picked up her Louis Vuitton bag and swung it over her shoulder. I tried to hide my H&M bag behind my back. ‘Taking credit for what your author did? You are learning from me. Let’s go.’

I followed her out, confused as to whether she was praising or criticising me. Hayley was such a formidable character that if I was learning from her, I assumed that was good for my career. She strode through the office, full of confidence, and I hoped one day, I’d feel just as confident.

* * *

We met Jake around the corner from his publisher’s office outside a Starbucks. It was a warm summer’s day and my suit was making me hot and bothered. When I saw him standing there, hands in his pockets, the sun beaming down on his dark hair, I felt decidedly sweaty. Jake was in a linen suit and his facial hair was slightly scruffy. Annoyingly, it suited him as much as when he had it styled to perfection.

‘Jake,’ Hayley said, giving his hand a firm shake. ‘Ready to give them hell?’ she asked, her eyes twinkling.

‘Lead the way,’ Jake replied, but didn’t return her smile. He glanced at me and did the same double take Hayley had done. ‘Freya?’ he said, but it sounded like a question.

I nodded. ‘Hi, Jake,’ I said, keeping my eyes on a spot just over his shoulder so we didn’t make full eye contact. That might have made my new cool, calm demeanour crumble.

‘Enough chit-chat,’ Hayley said. ‘We need to be on time.’ She set off but Jake kept looking at me.

‘What?’ I said, uncomfortable at his scrutiny, snapping my eyes onto his for a second. I felt a jolt of electricity that I tried desperately to ignore.

‘Nothing.’ Jake shook his head and set off after Hayley, shoving his hands into his pockets.

I sighed but hurried after them, wondering how things had got so awkward between us so fast. This man had been naked in my bed but now we were barely speaking. I hated it but I tried to push the memories of New York out of my mind. I had to focus right now. I just needed to be the consummate professional in this meeting, and then get out and hopefully never be in such close contact with Jake Richards ever again.

His publishing company was in a Victorian building in the city. They had published some of my favourite books and this was my first time inside. There was a delicious old-book smell and the walls were lined with them as we were walked across the open-plan office floor by the receptionist and shown into the boardroom to wait for the team that looked after Jake’s books. There were old sash windows and the floor was polished wood: a nice change from the usual carpet tiles in offices. The long, shiny, wooden table had been laid out with water for us, plates of cakes and biscuits and Jake’s books scattered around. On the TV screen at one end was a presentation ready to be played.

‘Jake! Hayley!’ A man in a grey suit with strawberry-blond hair walked in, followed by four other people. ‘It’s a pleasure to see you both again.’

I knew the man was Jake’s editor, and the head of the publishing company, Craig Blanc. He greeted Hayley and Jake like old best friends though I knew that, just last month, he had been avoiding her calls. Hayley’s ‘bullshit’ phrase swirled around in my head. There seemed to be a lot of it about to happen in this room.

The door closed and we were trapped together for an hour.

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