Folding her arms across her chest, Harini said, “I know you think I’m a horrible person, but I’m not.”
“I never said that. You just make terrible choices.”
She picked up her purse. “I have to go.”
Ten minutes to seven Harini walked The Fountain. She had arrived early and was seated immediately.
Bailey arrived at seven p.m. sharp.
At least she’s prompt, Harini thought to herself. That’s good. Being late was a pet peeve of hers. She didn’t like to be kept waiting. This time she wore a chic sapphire blue suit with a black silk camisole and heels.
Harini’s nostrils flared when she realized that every single male in the restaurant seemed fixated on Bailey as she approached the table. She’s cute but I’m better looking. I have so much more to offer a man than she does.
Bailey sat down in the chair opposite Harini. “Have you been waiting long?”
“You’re just in time,” she responded.
While they waited for their drinks to arrive, she noted how Bailey’s head was slightly bent as she listened intently whenever she was speaking. It thrilled Harini to have Bailey’s complete attention. “I remember so well what it was like to be waiting for that first chance of getting published. It was so nerve-wrecking.”
“Yes, it is,” Bailey admitted. “I’m almost done with my final revisions. I’ve worked on this book for almost a year. I really believe in my story.”
“You’re on the right track,” Harini told her. “You have a great work ethic. I’m the exact same way.”
“How hard was it for you to get published?”
“Actually, it was pretty easy. I sold the first book I wrote.”
“That’s wonderful.” Bailey wanted the same to happen for her. She wanted this first book to sell and top the bestseller lists. She’d dreamed it, believed it and thought it possible. Maurie often teased her about having mustard seed faith—well, she did.
They continued to talk about the literary world while they ate.
When they finished their meals, Harini signaled for the check.
Their waiter edged toward them, then paused at the table beside them before presenting her with a black leather folio.
The woman seated across from them threw down a black American Express card, then removed a small gold compact from her oversized Chanel tote and began inspecting her flawless image.
“That’s Michele Allen,” Bailey said in a low whisper. “I loved her in Winter Island Heist. She is an incredible actress.”
Pressing her lips flat, Harini gave a slight shrug. “She was alright.”
When Bailey continued to gawk at the actress, Harini’s irritation increased. “Clearly, you would rather be having dinner with her.”
“Oh no… I’m sorry. It’s just that I don’t get to see a lot of celebrities.”
“Then maybe you should join the pack of paparazzi waiting for her exit.” Harini glimpsed the hurt expression on Bailey’s face and softened her tone. “They’re just people like you and me. If I’m going to be your mentor, I can’t have you walking around all star-struck.”
Bailey gasped. “Are you for real right now?”
“Yes.”
“Harini, thank you so much.”
“You’re welcome. You should know that I don’t take just anyone under my wing, Bailey. You’re a very lucky girl.”
At home, Harini gave her brother a recap of the meeting. “Pip, I thought the girl was going to lose her mind over seeing Michele Allen. That overactor.”
“Bailey was excited about meeting you as well. What’s the problem?”
“I just don’t see what all the hype’s about with that actress. Her skills are seriously limited as far as I’m concerned.”
“Why are you doing this?” Pip asked. “You can’t stand working with other authors.”
“Bailey’s different.”
“You mean she’s naïve. She actually believes that you care about her.”
Harini sighed in frustration. “I do care about Bailey.”
Pip grunted in response.
It bothered Harini that her brother had no faith in her; much like her parents. She would show them. She would show them all.
Bailey and Colton met for lunch the next day.
“Harini’s going to be my mentor,” Bailey announced after they were seated in a booth.
“Congratulations, baby.”
“This is like a dream come true for me.” She picked up her menu. “But honey, you won’t believe who was sitting at the table next to us—Michele Allen.”
“For real?”
Bailey nodded. “She was there. , Harini acted kind of funky with me because I was excited about seeing Michele. She actually got an attitude about it.”
Colton laughed. “She wanted all the attention on her. You sure you wanna work with someone like that?”
Bailey laid down her menu. “We were having a business meeting. I should’ve been more professional, I guess. That’s probably why she was tripping like that, but the evening wasn’t a bust. She did offer to mentor me.”
“Wouldn’t it be better for you to just get an agent?” Colton asked. “What can Harini really do for you? It’s not like she’s a shortcut to getting published.”
“I’m not looking for any shortcuts,” Bailey sniped. “It’s always nice to get feedback or advice from someone who’s already made it to where you want to go. My company has a mentorship program. So, does yours.”
“Calm down, babe. You don’t have to act so defensive.”
Bailey met his gaze. “I don’t like what you were implying. I worked hard on my book and I will do whatever I have to do to get it published. I don’t want Harini to walk it to her editor or anything like that. I’m a hands-on learner.”
“I know you work hard at everything you do,” Colton responded. He reached across the table and took her hand. “I have faith in you, babe.”
“I’m not one of those people who are looking for someone to give me anything. I’ve earned everything I’ve ever gotten. My getting published will be no different.”
Chapter 6
On Friday evening, Bailey shared her news with Cassidy and Maurie while having dinner at their favorite Italian restaurant.
“That’s wonderful,” Maurie said while Cassidy remained silent.
“I’m pretty excited about it,” Bailey told them.
“Cass, you haven’t said anything,” Maurie commented. “This is a great opportunity.”
“I’m sorry. I just have a bad feeling about it.”
“She thinks Harini is fake,” Bailey explained. “It’s okay. We don’t have to like the same people and I really appreciate Cass’s honesty.”
“Don’t get me wrong,” Cassidy said. “I want you to achieve your dream of becoming a published author. I really hope she’s sincere about mentoring you.”
Maurie held up her wine glass. “So, let’s toast to dreams coming true.”
“Yeah,” murmured Cassidy. “Dreams coming true.”
“Amen to that,” Bailey added. “May all our dreams become our reality.”
“So, how are things between you and Colton?” Maurie inquired while slicing into her Chicken Marsala.
“He’s still trying to convince me that we should live together.”
“You and Colton love each other, and you’ve been together for what? Four years?” Cassidy inquired. “He wants to share living space with you. Why do you keep turning him down?”
“It’s not something I believe in,” Bailey responded. “I want to have a nice wedding… the works. I feel like if Colton and I live together—we’ll end up in nothing more than a common law type of situation. I’m not going to settle.” Bailey stuck a forkful of shrimp and fettuccini drenched in a scampi Alfredo sauce into her mouth.
Maurie nodded in agreement. “I see your point.”
“Has Colton mentioned marriage at all?”
Bailey eyed Cassidy. “He says it’s the plan, b
ut that he’s just not ready yet. He wants to be more financially sound first.”
“So, basically he wants all that comes with marriage except the piece of paper.”
“That’s what it sounds like to me,” Maurie interjected.
Bailey nodded. “That’s how I feel about it. Cass, I know you and Joe lived together, but you were engaged to him.”
“Yeah. When I found out I was pregnant, we went ahead and had a civil ceremony. We’re going to have our wedding after I have the baby as planned. We’re married already—I don’t need anything else, but Joe wants to have a big fancy wedding. He wants it because it would make his mother happy.”
“When I get married, I just want something small and intimate,” Bailey said.
They trio took in a movie afterward.
It was a little past midnight when Bailey walked into her apartment. She showered, changed into pajamas and climbed into bed.
She hadn’t heard from Harini since the night they had dinner. Bailey didn’t want to be a pest, so she didn’t call or text her.
It was fine, she decided. Bailey intended to spend her time finishing up her book—the same way she started—on her own.
“I know you’ve been working really hard on your book for the past couple of days, so I brought ice cream. You need to take a short break and just relax.” Colton shook the white bag as proof. “Your favorite. Lemon raspberry white chocolate.”
He waited until Bailey finished her typing before handing it to her.
“You are such a sweetie,” she said, opening her treat. “I’ve given myself a deadline and I intend to make it.”
“There’s a spoon in the bag.”
“You’ve thought of everything.” She pushed away from her desk and stood up. “You didn’t get any ice cream for you? You know I don’t like to share.”
Colton broke into a grin. “I’m watching my physique.”
They navigated to the table in the small dining area.
Bailey sat down across from him. “How was your day?”
“Just okay,” he responded. “I’ve been telling you that something’s going on at work. I’m pretty sure that it’s time to update my resume. There’s been rumors circulating that there are going to be layoffs.”
“Again?”
Colton nodded. “I survived the last one, but I don’t know about this time. We have an owner, so I’m sure he’s bringing some of his own people.” Leaning back in his chair, he inquired, “How’s the writing coming along?”
“It’s going great. Harini gave me some really good feedback.” She dug into the carton, pressing hard to fill her spoon. “I’m so lucky to have her in my life.”
“I was thinking we could go to the Poconos next weekend.”
“Colton, I can’t,” Bailey said. “Harini and I are going to a writer’s retreat in Maryland. She just told me about it earlier today.”
“Oh,” Colton said. “Have fun.”
“I know we were planning to spend the weekend together, but I really don’t want to miss this opportunity. All the authors I’ve read will be there.” Bailey broke into a grin. “I get to learn from some of the best.”
“We’ll have other weekends.”
“Colton, you’re not disappointed, are you?”
“A little,” he confessed. “I was looking forward to getting away, but I know how important this is to you.”
“I promise I’ll make it up to you.” Bailey pushed away from the desk. “I appreciate you for giving me space so that I can focus on my writing. I love you so much.”
He kissed her. “I love you too, babe. More than you could ever imagine.”
“You know… I think I’m going to call it a night… with the writing, I mean.”
Colton grinned. “Really?”
Bailey nodded. “Yes. Why don’t we finish this in the bedroom?”
Bailey checked into her hotel room.
Harini had flown down to Baltimore earlier that day, but Bailey decided it was more cost effective for her to drive. Colton rode down with her.
She’d dropped him off at the house of a friend of his from college.
She punched a contact in her phone. “Hey Harini… I just checked into the hotel. I’m in room 228.”
“I’m in 440. Give me about ten minutes and meet me downstairs at the registration desk.”
“Okay,” Bailey said with a smile. This was her first writers retreat and she was beyond excited. There were several workshops she wanted to attend. She noted the times and location in her planner.
When it was time to head down, Bailey left the room and took the elevator to the lobby area.
She found Harini surrounded by a group of writers. Smiling, Bailey walked over to join them.”
Harini introduced her. “This is one of my mentees. Bailey Hargrove. Remember that name.”
She stood by silently while Harini answered questions and talked up her writing classes. “They are hosted online for six weeks… if you want the tools to writing a bestselling book, then you definitely need to take my class.”
Bailey wondered why Harini had never once mentioned her writing classes to her.
Maybe she thinks I don’t need them. Regardless, Bailey decided not to make a big deal of it.
“Let’s get our badges.”
She followed Harini to the registration area.
“Have you been to this retreat in the past?” Bailey inquired.
“I’ve come every year since its inception. I teach a class on characterization and one on writing description.”
She pulled out a copy of the program agenda. “I’ve already made a schedule of the classes I want to attend this weekend.”
“The only ones you need to take are mine,” Harini stated. “They are the best ones here at this retreat.”
“I saw that Kaile Jefferson has one on plotting. I thought it might be interesting.”
“Humph….”
Bailey eyed Harini. “You don’t think I should take it?”
She shrugged in nonchalance. “It’s up to you. I’m here to teach my workshops, then spend the rest of my time at the pool or in the spa.”
Bailey a little put off by Harini’s attitude. But then she was already a veteran writer—it’s not like Harini needed to take workshops on a craft she had already perfected.
After picking up swag bags, Harini decided she’d had enough of being around the attendees. Bailey opted to stay downstairs and network.
“Didn’t I just see you with Harini Samuels?” a woman wearing a name tag that read Sharon Colby.
“Yes,” Bailey responded.
“She’s one of my favorite authors.”
Bailey smiled as the woman prattled on and on about Harini. Is this what I sounded like, she thought.
She released a soft sigh of relief when they were joined by another attendee. Bailey chose this moment to make her escape. “I need to check in with my job. I’ll see y’all later at the reception.”
In her room, Bailey laid down across her bed, her mood buoyant. She could hardly wait for the festivities to begin.
For the welcome reception, Harini chose a pale pink Chanel suit with a cream-colored, lacy blouse underneath, and nude Louboutin heels that clicked on the highly polished marble floor of the hotel lobby.
“Well, look who's here.”
At the sound of a disturbingly familiar voice behind Harini, there went her mood for the rest of the day, right into the toilet. She arranged her smile before turning. “Hello, Kaile. What are you doing here?”
“It’s a writer’s retreat. Why wouldn’t I be here, Harini? I’ve been coming to this retreat nearly as long as you have.”
“I figured you’d given up writing, or did you come with your ghostwriter? Make sure the two of you take advantage of some of the workshops.” Lowering her voice, Harini added, “You both need them.”
Anger flashed in her eyes. “What you need to do is stop going around here spouting those lies? I saw what you posted on so
cial media. I don’t and have never had anybody write a book for me.”
“Kaile…” Harini broke into a chuckle. “If you use one, it’s not a big deal. Just find one who can actually write and keep her mouth shut.”
“You are such a spiteful woman,” Kaile hissed. “Morgan and I are cowriting a book, Harini. What you probably read was a rough draft of our project, although I can’t imagine how you got your hands on it.”
“Well, I certainly hope it a first draft. It wasn’t any good. F.Y. I. your girl has a big mouth. She’s the one telling all of your business.”
“That would sting if I actually cared what you thought, Harini.” Lowering her voice, she said, “I’m also tired of you making comments about me being broke. You don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Bankruptcies are public record.”
“Yeah, I filed years ago, but I didn’t have to go through with it, Harini. The man I’m dating—he’s paid off all my debt and he bought me a new house. A beautiful 4500 square foot house. No mortgage as in I own it. Now run tell that.”
Harini forced a smile. “Well, I’m glad you don’t have to live in the streets.”
“You’re a piece of work.”
“And you wish you were the writer I am. Kaile, I can see it written all over your face. You will never be as good as me.”
Kaile sighed. “That’s the thing, Harini. I’m not in competition with you. I’ve never been. You want to be number one—to be the best. I just want to write my stories and get paid. I hope all your success keeps you warm at night.”
She walked away before Harini could think of a suitable response.
Yeah. Her mood was definitely in the toilet.
Flush.
Chapter 7
Bailey wore a pair of black jeans, white, silk tee shirt underneath a red blazer. Although she considered herself fashionably chic, she felt underdressed beside Harini.
Seated at their table, Bailey observed her mentor stroll around the ballroom as if she owned the place. Harini’s very presence commanded notice.
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