Page 3 of The Christmas Fix
“We don’t need your bullshit pity, and I sure as hell don’t need some reality TV star prancing around breaking her nails and punching my residents in the face while turning my town into some sideshow. We’re good. We don’t need you.” And with that he disconnected the call.
Cat took a deep breath and glared down at her phone. Noah Yates had no idea who he just pissed off. But he sure as hell was going to find out. She was going to save Merry’s Christmas whether Noah wanted her to or not.
“Cat?” A production assistant poked her head out of a doorway. “The photographer’s ready for you.”
The real question was: Was Noah Yates ready for her?
CHAPTER TWO
Four days earlier
The clouds, a dull gray swirl, twisted and roiled over Cat’s head as she marched down Broadway. Both the hurricane above and the woman below moved with purpose. The heels of her fawn colored boots clicked out a staccato rhythm on the cement as leaves and the occasional Manhattan debris darted in front of her on the wind.
“I’m not going to be late,” she sighed into her phone and quickened her pace.
“You already are,” her assistant, the very adorable and very British Henry, answered in his clipped accent.
“Five minutes,” she scoffed, rolling her eyes behind her oversized sunglasses. “That’s on time for me.” She was perpetually ten minutes late to everything. It wasn’t because she enjoyed making people wait or even that she liked to make an entrance—though she did—it was that a bit of fame overcomplicated everything. Leaving events and appointments was never as quick as it used to be. TV stars couldn’t just wave good-bye and duck into a car. There was small talk and photos and the occasional autograph.
She was still getting used to it, though she was certainly better suited to it than her twin brother. Gannon couldn’t stand the fuss and hadn’t looked back after leaving the “biz” a year ago. But Cat loved it, thrived on it.
She was officially the highest paid star on the Reno and Realty Network, counting both those with vaginasandpenises. Her new show was the network’s version of a blockbuster. The second season was in post-production, and she had her fingers in a few side projects and endorsement deals to keep her busy between filming. Life was pretty freaking perfect.
“How did the branding meeting go?” Henry asked, all efficiency. She could practically hear his fingers hovering over his ever-present iPad keyboard.
“Duluth wants to expand the line. We’re looking at bringing in a few more feminine colors, and they’re considering my idea to rework a few of the favorite men’s pieces with more female friendly tailoring.”
“They’re happy with the sales?”
Cat could hear the smirk in Henry’s voice.
“Yes, they seemed rather pleased with selling out of product in less than two weeks.”
“Are they planning to restock before Christmas?”
“Already done,” Cat laughed. “The new catalog goes out in a week.”
“Good. Text me the drafts of the adverts you’re supposed to be reviewing, and I’ll make sure nothing is grossly misspelled and that you don’t look like a grinning idiot in them.”
“You’re a good man, Henry.”He knew her so well.
“I’d be a better one if I could get you to your appointments on time,” he grumbled.
“I can literally see the restaurant from here,” she lied, hustling around a dog walker. The man’s jaw dropped open with recognition, and he nearly stepped on a Pomeranian.
Cat wiggled her fingers in his direction and hurried on.
“I realize this is just lunch with your agent, but I’m trying to train you to have better habits.”
Cat snorted. “Good luck with that. Now, go fuss over someone else.”
“Don’t forget you’ve got a phone interview at two and mani at four.”
Cat’s nails were usually destroyed during filming. Home renovation, even for the cameras, was a dirty business. In the off-season she treated herself to shiny, pretty nails. “Then you’ve got that cocktail thing—”
“I already know you programmed each and every one of those things into my calendar.”
“It never hurts to remind you. And I can hear you making that face at me right now,” Henry told her.
