“Don’t I need an agent?”
“An agent’s job is primarily to find and secure you a publishing deal. You have the big five all knocking on your door, sotechnically, no. You could even play them off against each other and see if you can improve on their offers, have them fight to publish your story.” I see the gleam in his eye at my words. I’ve hinted at a challenge and his business side likes that. Then he leans back in his chair, suddenly relaxed.
“Could you do that? Negotiate for a better deal?”
The thought of going to each of the big five with a client as important as Chase fills me with excitement. I lean forward slightly, relishing the idea of having that much negotiating power. It would be amazing, I’d love that. Then I remember Chase’s words—he said “could.” He’s not asking me if I would, it’s just purely hypothetical. I sit back again.
“Yes, I could do that.” I try to sound as nonchalant as possible, like I negotiated with the top publishing houses every day. In truth, I’ve managed to get two of my five authors deals with just one of the big five so far. Chase gives me a little smile and stands.
“Thank you, Noah. Please get in touch when you’ve got the information on the ghostwriters and we’ll arrange another meeting.”
“Oh yes, of course.” I rise quickly. “It’ll only take a few days.”
“I look forward to it, then.” The meeting is clearly over; he is obviously a very busy man. I walk him down to reception, to show him out, and as we arrive to sign him out, Cordelia appears.
“Oh, Mr Knightly, how nice to see you again,” she purrs, as if it’s just a coincidence. I notice her blouse is unbuttoned a hole lower than earlier and her lipstick is freshly applied. “Perhaps you’d like my card if you need advice?”
“I’m fine with what I have, thank you.” He ignores the proffered card and turns to me. “I look forward to hearing fromyou, and maybe I’ll see you when Nate and Ru get back.” He walks out through the door leaving us both gaping after him but for very different reasons.
I return to my office, but Cordelia is right there behind me and enters before I can shut the door. Not that it would keep her out anyway.
“What was all that about?” I notice her blouse has been buttoned up again on the walk back up here, but the smear of garish colour across her lips makes her look cheap. Her eyes are flashing, and she clearly did not like being dismissed so bluntly, especially not in front of me.
“Like I said, Chase is a friend,” I say, deliberately using his first name and sending him mental thanks that he brought up Nate and Ru to prove we had mutual friends.
“Has he asked you to be his agent?”
“No,” I answer truthfully, because he hasn’t, but he hasn’t said he didn’t need one either.
“Well, if he does, you should send him to me first, as the senior agent and co-director of this company. He should be handled by a senior agent.”
I stare at her. I can’t believe what she’s saying. She and Aiden have never interfered in what I do before. I don’t particularly like being part of ANC, but it’s even harder to be a lone agent, both in getting clients and talking to publishing houses. So having the name of ANC behind me has helped. But never before have they interfered.
“That’s not company policy,” I protest. I know, as I’ve been through all the policies and my own contract.
“In fact, we might start looking at what other clients you have. It might be time to review those as well.”
“You can’t do that!” My heart sinks. I’ve spent a lot of time building a good working relationship with some of my clients. I’d hate to lose any one of them. She ignores my protest and just gives me a sly smile.
“Just remember what I said. If he is looking for an agent, you send him to me first.”
She flounces out, and that’s when I realise she’s not going to actually review my current clients, she’s just using that as a threat for if Chase does ask. I sink into my chair and stare at my computer, unable to get back to work just yet. The only thing I can manage is a small sense of victory that her attempt at being attractive to Chase failed so well. Which is a curious move from her, as that is one section of the company policies I do know well. No intimate relationships with clients.
CHAPTER FIVE
Chase
On my way upin the elevator, I give myself a stern lecture.
No matter what is said, you will not ask about Noah. Even if he comes up in conversation, you will benormalabout him. You’ll focus tonight on asking Nate and Ru about their honeymoon andnoton the conversation about your meeting with Noah.
I feel somewhat ready when the elevator doors open right into their foyer.
London’s night skyline greets me, and maybe it helps me calm down more than the pathetic pep talk.
“Chase!” Nate’s loud voice comes from the entrance to the kitchen just off to the left. He opens his arms wide for a hug as he walks over, and pulls a chuckle out of me when he hugs me as if it’s been years since I’ve seen him and not only a month.
“Hello, Nathaniel,” I say just to annoy him.