Total pages in book: 61
Estimated words: 61160 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 306(@200wpm)___ 245(@250wpm)___ 204(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 61160 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 306(@200wpm)___ 245(@250wpm)___ 204(@300wpm)
“If you’d opened any of my emails over the past four weeks, you would’ve seen that I already gave it to you.”
“Does it come with a twenty percent raise?”
“No.”
“Fifteen percent?”
“No.” I ran my fingers through her hair. “Try again.”
“Ten with benefits?”
“Remind me to never let you negotiate anything on my behalf,” I said. “Chief Operating Officers don’t typically get small percentage raises where I’m from, and I’m pretty sure that’s the same policy here.”
“What do you mean?”
“It pays seven times what you’re currently making, and there are a lot of benefits,” I said. “An optional one of screwing the boss whenever you come to your senses.”
“I’ll probably leave that one for someone else to use.”
“It’s only redeemable for you.” I trailed a finger against her lips. “Will I finally see you at work tomorrow?”
“No.” She shook her head. “Today.”
Shifting Tide
Tyler
Seattle, Washington
“Sure you don’t want to go home?” Dillon stood in my office doorway later that night. “There’s no press at any of the exits and your fangirls are gone for the night.”
“I’ll stay a few more hours.”
“As you wish.”
“Dillon, wait.”
“Yes?” He looked over his shoulder.
“On a scale of one to one hundred, what’s the percentage of people who hate me back home?”
“I’d say it’s about a ‘you shouldn’t give a fuck’ percent.” He smiled. “What can you do about it from here?”
He shrugged and shut the door.
Leaning back in my chair, I forced myself to accept a truth I’d been avoiding for weeks.
I’ve severely miscalculated this transition.
All my worst-case-scenarios were unfolding all at once, and I wasn’t sure where to start fixing them.
Despite my “Treat me like any other person” requests, the press—American & British—continued to make a daily residence outside the publishing house. Women (and men) not-so-subtly flirted with me during meetings, and I was having a private bathroom installed since six interns “accidentally” followed me into the men’s room the other day.
I’d long given up on asking Hazel’s opinion on anything except playlists, dinner recommendations, and—whenever I was desperate—tourist attractions.
Opening my laptop, I debated sending Victoria Nauss an email, demanding she stop her fake tears, but I knew she’d show it to my father. They’d find a way to twist it somehow.
Knock! Knock! Knock!
“I didn’t lock it yet, Dillon,” I said. “You can come back in.”
The door swung open, but it wasn’t Dillon.
It was Chloe.
“The water just went out at my place,” she said. “Do you mind if I stay in your extra suite for the night?”
“My suite here or at my condo?”
“Here.” She blushed. “I have a few more hours of work to do, and then I have to get up early to handle a few meetings. I just need a napping spot that isn’t in the lobby.”
“When do you plan to come stay with me?”
She didn’t answer. Instead, she set a small duffle bag on my armchair and plopped onto the cushions.
Taking out a folder, she looked at me. “Thanks for the real promotion.”
“You deserved it years ago,” I said, walking over to her. “What are you working on?”
“Promotional plans.”
“Want some help?”
She nodded and handed me a few sheets. “Can you do me a favor?”
“Sure,” I said. “What is it?”
“Can you go back to your desk and promise not to stare at me?”
“No.” I smiled, sitting right next to her, pulling her into my lap. “If you wanted that, you shouldn’t have stayed away for so long.”
“Can you give me the backstory on you and Victoria, then?”
“Sure.” I inhaled her familiar scent. “Where do you want me to start?”
“The very beginning.”
“Will you stop reading so much into the headlines when I’m finished?”
“I’ll try,” she said. “Can I ask you about any of ones that bother me?”
“Absolutely.”
Still A Star
Tyler
Tyler Carrington Spotted with American Heiress: Is She the Reason He Left London?
Critics Doubt Prince Carrington Will Replicate His Publishing Success in America
Princess Victoria to Star in Documentary: ‘The Broken Crown, Broken Promises’
Royal Family Privately Seething Over Prince Carrington’s Lack of Communication
All Eyes On You
Chloe
13 weeks, 4 days pregnant
Seattle, Washington
Madison: Chloe, is there any new Prince Carrington news? Why is he being seen with Hazel so much in the media when WE KNOW he wants you? (And we also know you want him too.)
Kristin: Yeah, when are we getting the details about the SEX? You told us everything about the first night months ago—far too much, might I add—but now I miss your oversharing. Correction, I miss you oversharing things that ACTUALLY happened. Not things you WANT to happen.
Madison: Do I have to block you again to help you make a move on him? I think it’s time for you to finally go for it. Boss, prince, or not.
Kristin: I concur, Madison. We should take a vote.
Chloe: Chloe left her phone in my office tonight…I’ll be sure to let her know there’s an important vote at stake, though ;-) —Tyler