Work In Progress (Red Lipstick Coalition #3) - Staci Hart Page 0,13
every woman,” Rin added.
“I use that GIF all the time,” Val said on a laugh. “When it bounces off his face? I die.” She wrenched her face up and pretended to get hit in slow motion.
“That was just before his first book came out,” Katherine noted.
“He has gotten some of the best and worst publicity,” Val said. “Though I’m not at all mad he dated Marley Monroe. That breakup album is one of my favorites of hers.”
Rin bopped in her seat and sang, “I don’t care if you look like an angel.”
“All I want is for you to be faithful,” Val chimed in.
And we all sang, “But all you give is the hot, lovin’ danger. And all you were was a beautiful stranger.”
“God,” I said on a giggle, “he’s just too much. I can’t believe I’m going to work with him. Like, all the time.”
“When are you supposed to start?” Katherine asked.
“Tomorrow, I think,” I answered. “He’s supposed to get in touch.”
“Well, has he?” she pressed.
I picked up my phone to prove her wrong. “He couldn’t have. It’s only been a few—” My email notification bubble said I had three emails, and when I opened the app, all three were from his office. I scanned the first email. “His assistant wants me to come over in the morning to discuss payment, timelines, and materials. There’s…” I swallowed. “There’s a nondisclosure for me to sign.” I lowered my phone. “I already told my boss.”
Katherine shrugged. “Let him know. You’re not in breach. You haven’t signed anything yet.”
“God, remember when he got arrested at that rally?” Val asked. “The coverage of his arrest was awful.”
Katherine snorted a laugh. “I don’t care what Us Weekly says. With hair like his, there’s no way he’s a skinhead. Not that they’re mutually exclusive. But I believe him when he said he was at the wrong place at the wrong time. Plus, why else would he be all beat up? I think he stumbled into that rally and picked a fight, just like he said. I think it’s hot,” she said with a shrug. “I’d do a guy who punched a Nazi in the face.”
Val laughed. “Like Indiana Jones. It belongs in a museum!”
I couldn’t help but giggle. “No, I think you’re right. But man, the firestorm was horrible. He got dropped from his publisher and lost all his sponsorships. No one would touch him. It’s a miracle he picked up a contract with Blackbird after such awful press. And who could blame them? When coupled with public indecency and a penchant for getting in fights at nightclubs all over the city, he’s a publicist’s nightmare.”
“Or dream come true,” Katherine countered. “Depends on their angle. Maybe the whole thing was a show for media attention. In which case, he’s performing exceptionally well.”
I chuckled. “Maybe. But everyone dropped him like a bad habit. That couldn’t have been part of anyone’s plan.”
“Not everyone,” Katherine amended. “You’ve seen the TAG billboards. He doesn’t seem to be hurting.”
“Well,” I started, “it’s been two years, and the public is split. People love to argue about the truth. Remember the Team Tommy T-shirts?”
“I have one,” Katherine said.
We all turned to stare at her.
“What? All proceeds went to a fund for the New York Public Library.”
I shook my head. “See? The controversy keeps him relevant.”
“And now you’re going to be associated with him.” Rin frowned.
“But it’s not like anyone will know. Trust me, I will still be as invisible as ever.” I sighed. “I really do think I can help him with his story. Although I don’t know why he’d want me after I doled out a boatload of criticism on books he couldn’t change.”
“Maybe he’s sick in the head,” Val offered. “Or a masochist. Maybe Marley Monroe and Thomas Bane broke up because he secretly loved being spanked with a riding crop, and that was just too much pressure for her.”
“Maybe. Tomorrow will tell the tale,” I said.
“What about the NDA?” Rin asked. “I guess we won’t ever know how it goes if you’re gagged.”
“I mean, if she’s lucky she’ll get gagged,” Val said with a waggle of her brows.
“I am one hundred percent sure there’s no way I can survive this without you guys,” I said. “Trust me, you will know even if I have to make you sign an NDA of my own.”
The doorbell rang, and Rin and Val both lit up with smiles.
“I’ll get it,” Rin said, slipping off her stool and striding to the front door.