The Publicist Book One and Two

by Christina George

They stepped onto the elevator in Grace’s building. “Where are we going?” Kate asked.

  “Just wait.” Grace smiled secretively.

  Once outside, Grace led her friend around the corner to a monthly parking garage.

  “Hey Timmy,” Grace waved to the attendant.

  “Heya, Gracie, you come for a drive?” A boyish smile swept across his face. The attendant was obviously smitten.

  “No, just here to say ‘hi’ to her.”

  “She’s doing great!” he called after her.

  “Grace, what the hell? Who are we here to see?”

  Her friend winked. “Not who, what. Car people,” she nodded in the direction of the attendant, “They think of cars as people. It’s pretty funny. But he takes good care of her.”

  Kate followed her friend up two flights of stairs. “Of what, Grace?”

  Grace walked out of the stairwell and led her friend to a covered car. Gently, she pulled off the tan cloth revealing a shiny pink Cadillac. She guessed it was a ’60s model, although it looked brand-new.

  Kate frowned. “I don’t get it. Is this yours?”

  Grace nodded. “Well, yes, it was my mom’s.” Her hand slid over the car, stroking it gently, lovingly, as though she were stroking her mother’s hair. It gleamed like it had just rolled off of the showroom floor. Obviously, she and Timmy had taken great care of the car.

  Kate was still confused. “But Grace, you don’t even drive.”

  “I know,” she nodded. “I pay the attendant here to drive it and keep it tuned up.”

  “But, Gracie, the monthly parking fees must be crazy. Why…? I mean, I know it was your mom’s, but why would you keep something you can never use?”

  Grace’s eyes clouded over, her fingers still touching the smooth surface. “My father—my real father—gave this to my mom and she loved it. Even after he left her, she kept it but never drove it.” Grace slid a thoughtful hand across the cloth convertible roof.

  “She used to tell me about driving it, that she’d throw a scarf over her head and put the top down. She said she never felt so free in her life. I didn’t find out she had this car until she was dying. She told me I could get rid of it, but I couldn’t bear it. She told me that no matter what she was going through, every worry seemed to vanish when she slid behind the wheel.”

  Kate nodded. No wonder the car was so important to her friend. “It’s great that you still have it, Gracie and I’m really glad you showed it to me.”

  “I’m not just showing it to you,” she said mysteriously, “I’m lending it to you. I want you to take it to California.”

  At first, Kate couldn’t say a word. Finally, she responded, “But Grace, I don’t even know if I’m going. And drive? I mean, I couldn’t take this car, it’s so special to you.”

  Grace took her friend’s hand. “I wish that my mom had had the courage to do what you’re doing—leave and start over—but she never did. She got pregnant with me and that was pretty much that.” Grace reflected for a long, slow moment.

  “I want you to take the car, drive and get your head together, and go spend some time in a place that doesn’t even vaguely remind you of New York, with a man who loves you and can actually be with you in a way Mac never could.”

  “Grace, I…”

  “Even if this hadn’t happened,” Grace interrupted her softly, “it would have ended. This situation just accelerated things, and I think that someday you’ll be grateful it did.” She opened the door of the car and smiled. “Since you’re the only friend I have who drives, why don’t you take us for a spin?”

  “Right now?” Kate said, surprised.

  Grace nodded. “No time like the present.”

  Kate slid into the car. The soft leather seat moved beneath her. She lowered the window—how many years had it been since she’d seen a window crank? Although she’d only met Grace’s mother one time before she died, she could see her sitting behind the wheel of a car her married lover gave her.

  Grace closed the driver’s door and leaned in the window. “After she died, I envisioned my mother, her hair swept into a scarf, the top down, and driving down the highway—escaping a life and a man who would never be hers. Her face beamed with victory. She never got out, but you can.”

  Chapter Thirty-Four

  Kate read the announcement in Publishers Lunch; it was a highly sanitized version of what had happened. Had MD known? Yes, Mac had admitted, but they were just told to cooperate. They were deeply sorry, and MD had set up a fund to help find missing children. Refunds would be issued for The Continued Promise, regardless of the state of the book. According to some reports, books were being burned and then returned. Some were torn up and thrown at salespeople in bookstores. It was a horrible mess. Kate did her best to distance herself from it, but it was still hard.

  She had decided that Grace and Nick were both right. She needed a change of scenery.

  “I’m going to go to California,” she’d announced to both of them over dinner that night. “I don’t know how long I’ll be gone. And…I’m quitting my job. I’m done with publishing,” she said, her voice unsteady. Somehow, Grace didn’t believe her.

  Nick grinned. “So, when are you planning on leaving? By the way, I think this is an outstanding idea.”

  “Thanks, Nick. Well, I want to get Grace’s car checked out, then I’ll leave.”

  Nick blinked, “Wait, you’re driving?”

  Kate nodded and Grace chimed in, “I’m loaning her my mother’s car. It’s sort of symbolic.”

  “What kind of car?” he asked.

  “A 1963 pink Cadillac,” Grace smiled.

  Nick shook his head. “Kate, listen,” he smiled at Grace, “with all due respect to your mother’s car, Grace, do you think it’s wise to drive across the US with a car that’s over fifty years old?”

  Grace jutted out her chin. “It’s in perfect condition. It was hardly driven.”

  “I’m sure it is,” he looked to Kate; the determination on her face was unmistakable.

  “Besides,” Grace added, “she’ll need a car in California. You people have zero idea what good public transportation is like.”

  “Okay,” he sighed, “Clearly you ladies have made up your minds. But let’s do this: I want to get you roadside coverage, and I want to personally check this car over before I leave here.”

  Kate nudged him; it was so good to have Nick here. “I appreciate that, Nick.”

  “When do you want to leave?” he asked.

  “By Friday,” Kate said. Part of her felt terrified—a new city, a trip across the country. But it was a good kind of terrified; it got her mind off of other things, like the mess her career was in. The drive would also give her time to process the change and give her the distance she needed. Distance between herself and Mac.

  …

  Nick had run every test imaginable on the car. Kate was surprised; she had no idea he knew so much about cars.

  “When I was starting up my business I could barely afford rent, let alone car repairs. I had old cars and learned to fix them myself.”

  Nick lowered the hood on the pink Cadillac. He turned to Kate. “Are you sure about this, Kate? The driving I mean?”

  “I am, Nick. It’ll be good.”

  He hesitated. “One more thing. My place is big enough. Why don’t you stay with me? In one of my guestrooms,” he added quickly.

  She smiled. “I’d love to, Nick.”

  He stepped toward he, and pushed a delicate curl off of her face. “I have no false hopes of this trip, Kate. I know you need to escape and I’m happy to be that escape for you. I wish you were coming to California to be with me, but I know you’re not. I’m glad you’re coming, I really am, and I would be lying if I didn’t tell you that I hope someday things will change between us.”

  She kissed him on the cheek. “I know,” Kate whispered.

  “I guess I’ll see you in a couple of weeks then,” he said softly.

  …

&n
bsp; Mac wasn’t about to leave. He’d followed another resident into her building and was waiting by her door. When he arrived earlier, she was just leaving. He decided to wait until she got back and then force her to listen to him. He heard someone on the stairs. It was Kate, he was certain of it. When she emerged onto the landing, she saw him.

  “Mac,” was all she said, her heart pounding in her throat. It had been nearly two weeks since she’d seen him that night at MD. The night Edward had attacked her. She tried to blink the image away.

  “Katie, I need to talk to you. May I come in?”

  Kate walked to her door, slipped in the key, and let Mac follow her in. It was time to tell him, to officially say goodbye.

  When Mac walked in, he noticed the boxes.

  “Are you moving?” his brow furrowed and he felt his heart sink.

  “In a manner of speaking. I’m leaving New York for a while and decided to sublet my apartment while I’m gone.”

  “Where are you going?”

  Kate hesitated, but he’d find out anyway. “California.”

  Nick, he thought, of course. “When are you coming back?”

  Kate sighed; the conversation was stilted and awkward. “I don’t know. Mac, what do you want?”

  “You,” he said, his eyes piercing her.

  Kate looked away. She needed to hold it together. It was over, and that was that.

  “Mac, please, I need you to go.”

  He walked toward her. Kate noticed that he didn’t look great; in fact, he looked like he hadn’t slept in days. He put his hands on her arms. Kate felt herself stiffen. She stepped back.

  “I get it, Kate. I know this is horrible.”

  “You have no idea, Mac.”

  Mac jammed a hand through his dark hair. This wasn’t going well at all. Not that he’d expected it to. “You’re right, I don’t have any idea. I have no idea how much I’ve hurt you, but I think I do have a sense of it. I was a coward. In fact, I have been a coward most of my life. I don’t know how I ever got so lucky to be able to love you, even for a short time.”

  Kate felt her eyes burn. She didn’t want to cry. She’d done enough of that. She was tired of crying and feeling like crap. She was tired of all of it. She wanted to be in a place where the sun was always shining and people were always happy. She wanted to be far away from New York and Mac and MD.

  “What’s your point, Mac?” she asked coolly.

  Mac took a deep breath. This was harder than he’d imaged, to see her and not be able to touch her. “My point is this: I don’t deserve a second chance, and I’m not here to ask you for one. I just wanted you to know that I never meant to hurt you. If I had known about, about what Singer was doing…”

  “I know,” she stopped him. She didn’t want to hear Singer’s name again, even though she knew it would be an ugly part of her life, probably forever. “It doesn’t matter now, Mac. I’m leaving, and it’s over, and it doesn’t matter. Also, I’m quitting MD. I’m sure you’re not surprised.”

  He shook his head. “No, I’m not. I’m only there still because, well, I can’t get into that now, but I will be leaving soon, too.”’

  “Really?” she was genuinely surprised. She figured Mac would just roll with it, though MD had taken a severe blow, and despite Mac’s behavior, he was a damned good editor. He deserved to be at a credible publishing house. Although she knew that, like her own, Mac’s career may be over, too.

  “There’s nothing for me there anymore.” Kate knew what he meant. “So, I’ll tell Ed once I wrap up a few things.”

  “Good luck to you, Mac,” Kate said. She hoped he would leave, and part of her wanted him to stay—that small part that still loved him. No, scratch that. Most of her still loved him; it wasn’t a small part at all. Which is why it was good she was leaving. She knew if she stayed, she’d fall right back into this with him.

  Mac hesitated. “I guess this is it.” His voice was low and thick with emotion. He walked past her, to the door. Suddenly, he turned to her.

  “Kate, I didn’t come here to beg your forgiveness. I know I don’t really deserve it. What I came here to tell you was that I love you, more than I have ever loved another woman. I will always love you. I need you to know that. You changed me, Kate. You made me realize that my status quo is a shitty excuse for a life. I want more; you’ve made me want more.”

  Kate felt her bottom lip quiver. Go, she thought, I need you to go. Finally, she said: “I hope someday you find it.”

  Mac put his hand on the doorknob. “Find happiness, Katie, wherever you need to do it. Find it, grab it, and don’t let go. Be happy, Katie.” He opened the door and vanished through it.

  On the other side, he stood for a moment, his palm pressed against the door.

  “Goodbye my sweet Katie. For now.” He stepped into the hall and down the stairs.

  From the other side of the door, Kate heard him leave. She sank into her sofa, surrounded by her life packed away in boxes, and she cried.

  Chapter Thirty-Five

  She’d spent the night at Grace’s apartment. Hers was cleaned up and emptied out. Being displaced felt strange. But it also felt good, like she was wiping the slate clean.

  Galley Cat had reported that the she’d quit MD, and was classy enough not to mention the scuffle with Edward or the many rumored reasons she was leaving. Kate hated that people thought she might have actually slept with MD’s CEO. The thought of letting Edward touch her made her sick to her stomach. There were comments on the blog post, of course. She tried not to read them but couldn’t help it. Some were supportive while others were, well, not particularly kind.

  Grace emerged from her bedroom looking slightly groggy. “I can’t believe you want to leave at this ungodly hour.”

  “It’s six a.m.,” Kate smiled. She’d been in the shower and was ready to hit the road.

  Grace yawned. “Right. Six a.m. for you is fine. For an artist it’s like the middle of the night.” She walked into her small kitchen and groaned. “I think I had too much wine last night.”

  “We both did.” Kate smiled. She would miss Grace horribly, but her friend had promised to come out and visit her if her time in California kept her there for more than a month or two. Kate didn’t know how long she’d be in California. Until her head cleared, she supposed, whenever that was. Frankly, right now she wasn’t sure it ever would.

  Grace pulled her robe tighter around her. “I’ll get dressed and we can go get the car.”

  “You don’t have to go, Gracie, it’s fine. We can say goodbye here.”

  Grace shot her one of her ‘you’re kidding, right?’ looks. “Kate, you are leaving on one of the biggest adventures of your life, and in my mother’s car. I am going to walk you to the garage and see you off on your journey. In fact, I’m going to wave at you until you vanish out of sight. I might even stand in the middle of the street so you can see me better.”

  Kate laughed and went to hug her friend. “This was a great idea.”

  Grace wrapped her arms tightly around her friend. “Of course it was,” she said confidently.

  …

  Less than an hour later, Kate was sitting in the car, top down, the trunk full of whatever she felt she’d need.

  As she pulled away from the curb, she saw Grace start to cry. She knew it was more than just her leaving, it was seeing her mother’s car and knowing what it would have meant if her mother had been there with her.

  Dressed in yoga pants and a t-shirt, Grace watched as Kate navigated the morning traffic. And, true to her word, she stepped out into the street, ignoring the blaring horns, and waved until her friend disappeared into a sea of yellow cabs and delivery trucks.

  Kate was on her way.

  Chapter Thirty-Six

  Mac hadn’t slept well the night before. He knew Kate was leaving, or had left.

  She was gone.

  He dressed in a simple white shirt and trousers. He wasn’t planning on staying at the office the entire day, an
d he needed to stop off at his attorney’s first.

  Mac had a plan; the last thing he could do to help Kate.

  …

  Mac looked over the paperwork the attorney had prepared.

  “It’s a tight agreement?” he questioned.

  The attorney smiled at him and leaned back in his chair. “Iron-clad, my friend. Edward couldn’t slip out of that if he tried.”

  “Good, that’s what I needed. I appreciate you working so fast.”

  “I’m always happy to help you, MacDermott. But may I ask, why such a rush for this? There’s no way this agreement will benefit you.”

  Mac feigned a smile. “It’s for a friend.” He extended his hand as he got up. “Thanks again.”

  “You’re welcome.”

  …

  When Mac arrived at MD, he found Lulu hovering near his office.

  “Mac,” she began hesitantly, “can I speak with you?”

  “Sure, Lu,” he nodded, “but I don’t have a lot of time. I need to go see Edward.”

  “This won’t take a minute,” she said, walking into his office. “Can we close the door?”

  “Okay. It sounds serious.”

  Lulu nodded. “I know you’re going to leave, Mac. I can just tell. You haven’t been yourself since…” she paused, “well, the book and with Kate gone.” Lulu took a deep breath. “I want to go with you. I want to work wherever you and Kate are headed.”

  Mac leaned on his desk. “Lulu, I’m sorry to be the one to tell you this, but Kate is gone. She left for California today.”

  Lulu looked as if she would cry. “She didn’t say goodbye.”

  “Lu, I’m sorry. She’s had a lot on her mind.” To say the least.

  “I’m s-sorry, Mac, you’re right. That was selfish of me. This must be a horrible time for her. I just, I liked her so much.”

  Mac sighed. “So did I,” he said softly.

  “Look, it’s none of my business, but you two were good together. I hope that this works out, for both of you.”

  “Things change, Lu. I don’t think they will ever be the same again.”