"So you just ruin people for the fun of it?" she snapped.
"I assure you, I don't," Lance said.
"You're ready to clear things up then?" Julia asked. "Make a statement? Set the record straight?"
"That may not be the best thing for you," he answered.
"You know nothing about me or what's in my best interest!"
"I know you make little check marks when you buy things off a list. I know you're crazy about your sister's kids. And that you take lemon in your iced tea."
"Well, I never ..."
"And I know you've got the number-one and number-two books in the country today." He reached into his pocket and handed a piece of paper to her. "This was under your door."
Julia recognized the Eli-Winter logo at the top of the stationery. Dumbfounded, she scanned the numbers while Lance put ice on his swelling finger. The handwritten note was in Candon's writing.
Jules, I came by but you were out. Great news: Solitaire and Table for One are flying off the shelves—#1 and #2 The cookbook's way up, too. We've got to talk about what it means. There might be more room to spin it to our advantage. Dinner? I'll see if Collins and his people can come, too. Lots to talk about. Congratulations. CJ.
It can't be, she thought. It just can't be. "Are you okay?" Julia heard Lance's voice. It was close and full of compassion.
"Get out!" she roared and pushed him toward the door, growing stronger and more forceful with every step. "Get out of my room. Get out of my life." She grabbed the door, threw it open, and gestured for Lance to leave.
"Julia, you've got to believe me—"
"You have two seconds to get out of my sight!"
Lance didn't budge, obviously thinking that her instructions didn't apply to him. "Julia, listen to me," he pleaded. "This isn't my fault."
"Oh? Whose fault is it?"
Behind her, the elevator doors opened, and Julia heard Candon laugh and another man say, "It's honey." She turned to see the agent and editor coming down the corridor, smiling and laughing like old fraternity buddies.
"Now, this is a good-looking couple," Richard Stone exclaimed. "We can sell this!"
Julia glanced back at Lance in time to see a look of supreme shame cross his face. He sidestepped the two men and went to the elevator. When the doors opened, he stepped inside, and Richard Stone rushed in beside him. Julia was glad to see the doors slide closed.
"Sweetheart, you look wonderful!" Candon said.
"What's this?" She shoved the handwritten note in his face as he leaned down to kiss her cheek.
"Isn't that amazing?" Candon beamed.
"You want me to lie to my readers?"
Candon looked at her, confused. "I want to help your career."
"Candon, my career didn't need any help. My career was just fine. It was my career! Not yours. Not his. Mine!" She poked him in the chest. "You're going to fix this, Candon. Do you hear me?"
"Why don't you talk to Harvey...."
"Harvey had a heart attack, thanks to this!"
Shock flooded his face. "Really?"
"This charade has officially crossed the line!"
"Julia, with the money we're making, you can buy Harvey the best doctors in the business."