“You know what, Cynthia?” Kasey paused, again taking a deep breath as she reached into her jacket pocket. “I’m going to set up a meeting for you. I know what you mean about this place, and I can sense the type of writer you are, and the assistance you’ll need to be your best.”
“You would do that?” Cynthia asked, her eyes bulging in disbelief.
“I know, it’s not normal. And if we can keep this between the two of us, that would be ideal. I want the best for you, and I meant what I said—you are destined for greatness, and I want to help you achieve that in whatever way I can.”
The two women exchanged a few more details as Kasey explained what Cynthia should expect. Afterwards, she walked her out of the building, feeling an obligation to protect her from anyone and anything that could stop her from leaving that building without signing her life away.
“I don’t know how to thank you,” Cynthia said, as they exited Rockwell Publishing.
“Just be your best, okay? That’s all I want from you. You’re a star. I just want to see you shine,” Kasey smiled before hugging Cynthia tightly.
Watching her walk away, she felt like she’d done the first thing in her career that felt right since walking out of Jay’s office. It may not have gotten her a promotion, but Kasey’s decision felt better than any bump in her paycheck.
She’d have to deal with the consequences as they came. And she decided she was ready for it.
Chapter 31
Jay
Another night of tossing and turning led Jay into the office later than normal again. He’d been wrestling with Kasey’s behavior since she’d abruptly ended their call the previous day. Of all his days as an unattainable bachelor, he’d never struggled with identifying where he’d went wrong. For him, it was usually quite obvious. Whether he was calling them by their wrong names, cancelling at the last minute, or jetting out of hotel suites before sunrise, women had enough reasons not to hold him in the highest regard.
But Kasey was different, and he’d treated her as such. Nothing about their interaction was subpar, and he’d been on his best behavior since the Renee incident. No matter how long he thought it through, replaying every instance of their night together, he couldn’t come to any other conclusion than her unwillingness to forgive him.
Maybe what he’d done, thinking she would go behind his back to conspire with Renee, had wrecked their relationship beyond repair. If she couldn’t trust him, then she must not have seen a possibility to grow. It was the only thing that made sense. She didn’t want to work with him, so that ruined the possibility of a personal relationship as well.
It was with heavy shoulders that he walked into the office, carrying this realization as he forced a smile his waving staff. They had been weary of him and his volatile temper since Kasey’s departure, but after their night together, his attitude had shifted and he could sense the warm reception in the workroom.
“Mr. Canton, can I get you a cappuccino?” Jessica met him at the door to his office.
“Yes. Extra shot of espresso,” he smiled, handing her a few folders she would need to plan his day.
“Mr. Helms is waiting for you,” she smiled, receiving the folders before turning away.
Jay inhaled deeply as he walked in, hoping Mitchell was not going to lecture him about losing Kasey professionally, or tease him for his alternative desires.
“There you are! I thought I was going to have to take this meeting!” Mitchell jumped from his chair, excitement evident on his face.
What meeting he was talking about, Jay had no idea, but he thought it best to delay his response with the hopes that Mitchell would continue.
“You’ve only got a few minutes, so I don’t really have time to brief you. Just wing it, you’re great at that type of thing.”
“What are you talking about?” Jay finally asked, realizing his friend was too excited to notice his confusion.
“The email—didn’t you get it?” he asked, rushing him out of the office.
“If I had, do you think I’d be so confused?”
“I just figured you were still exhausted from whatever stunt you pulled to convince Kasey to help us out.”
Hearing Kasey’s name stopped him in his tracks as he turned to his partner with a stern look that let him know he needed the details without exchanging any words.
“She sent this writer over here for a meeting. I set it up last night after you left for the day. I sent over her work, but I guess you didn’t see it. Anyway, she’s in the conference room now,” Mitchell held his arm out, silently asking if they could continue to the meeting.
“Kasey sent her?” Jay repeated all he’d heard Mitchell say. As far as he was concerned, it was the only part of the story that mattered.
“Yes. And her work is good—a new genre for us.”
“Okay, I got it.”
Jay’s confidence kicked into high gear as he strolled into the conference room. The woman sat with bad posture, barely glancing in his direction as he made his way to her.
“My name is Jay Canton,” he introduced himself, instantly bringing a blush to her pale cheeks.
“I know who you are, Mr. Canton. I’m Cynthia,” she breathed the words, as her eyes looked in every direction but Jay’s.
He smiled, trying to ease her nerves. She was obviously timid, and he didn’t want to do anything more to increase her anxiety. His mind was racing, trying to understand why Kasey had sent an author to him when she had every incentive to sign new talent at Rockwell Publishing.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you,” he finally spoke, pushing his thoughts to the back of his mind.
“I can’t even believe I’m here,” she brought her hand to her chest as if she was short of breath. “I met with Kasey Wright at Rockwell Publishing and she was just amazing,” she smiled at Jay, and he returned the smile thinking of Kasey.
So, the woman had met with her, and as always, they hit it off. It was something about Kasey that put people at ease, including Jay. He sat forward, interested in hearing more about what led Kasey to recommending Passions Publishing.
“I was a bit intimidated by everything over there. Renee just made me feel a bit uneasy. I told Kasey about my reservations, and she said she could help me get a meeting here. This is a dream opportunity, and I know I’ve not reached the level of success that your other writers have, but Kasey read my book,” Cynthia reached into her bag, retrieving a worn paperback book.
Jay looked at her dull paisley dress, wondering what type of writer she could be. In the back of his mind, he knew it didn’t matter. Kasey had sent her, and to him that was the best type of referral.
“I’m not sure if I’m a good fit here. I know my writing could use some work,” Cynthia began talking herself out of the deal.
In any other circumstance, Jay would have walked away from the table. She was unsure about her work, and to him that was a red flag. Kasey had taught him about building writers up, becoming their confidence, while allowing them to focus on their work.
“Listen, Cynthia. I appreciate your book.” Jay could see her shrinking in front of him, so he decided to quickly switch course. “Kasey Wright is the best agent in the nation. If you secured a meeting with her, it says a lot about you. And if, for whatever reason, she thought you’d be a good fit here, then I see no reason to question her.”
Cynthia gasped so loud Jay had to grit his teeth to stop from laughing. She was beside herself with excitement, and all he could think about was calling Kasey to learn her motives.
“I’ll take this,” he took the book she’d placed on the table.
“This has all my notes to help you best understand the direction.”
“Sounds good. I’m going to have creative read through it while our legal team draws up the contract. If you want to have lunch in our cafeteria on the third floor, everything should be ready and we can finalize the contract in about an hour or two.”
“Really? Oh, my gosh. That would be incredible. The
books should be a trilogy. Or, at least I think so. Kasey did too!”
Cynthia had learned the value of her golden ticket and was now using it to her advantage. Jay suddenly realized her shyness was not indicative of her negotiating power, or the passion for her work.
“I’ll be sure to let the team know to include up to five books on the contract, but we can include an opt-out clause in case you want to go in a different direction.”
They were more than generous terms, but Jay saw it as a gift to Kasey. There was something about this author that she believed in, more than she thought Renee could handle. She sent Cynthia as a gift, although he doubted she was aware of the slump he was in. Since her departure, Jay hadn’t signed one new author.
“I’ll show you down to the cafeteria,” Jay offered, leading Cynthia from the conference room.
Once back in his office, he paced back and forth, racking his mind to figure this woman out. Kasey Wright was driving him crazy, in the best way. Nothing about her was predictable, and he liked it. She’d sent him a gift, and now he decided it was his turn to return the favor.
Jay was never great at giving gifts, but he knew this deserved a grand gesture. He was going to make sure Kasey knew just how thankful he was, and he hoped it would be enough to get him more face time with her.
“Jessica,” he spoke into the receiver on his desk.
“Yes, Mr. Canton,” she promptly answered.
“I need you in here. I have a big project I’ll need your help with.”
Chapter 32
Kasey
The day was winding down as Kasey began packing up her belongings, ready to call it a day. She was exhausted after a day in the office, constantly witnessing Renee chastise employees throughout the office was demoralizing. Everyone in the office was terrified of her, it showed in the way the staff interacted, creating a thick layer of tension throughout the office.
“Kasey! Can I talk to you for a minute?” Renee interrupted her thoughts from the doorway of her office.
“Oh, sure. I was just leaving for the day,” she added at the end, hoping it would deter her from continuing the conversation.
“It will only take a minute. Meet me in my office,” she turned and left.
Kasey took a deep breath as she walked the short distance down the hall, wondering why Renee couldn’t just say what she wanted where they were. Everything was a strategy with her and Kasey knew this was a display of power, reminding her who the boss was.
“How can I help you?” Kasey asked, as she entered Renee’s office.
“Come in. Have a seat,” she smiled, but it didn’t reach her eyes. “Do you want a drink to start off the weekend?”
Renee walked to the bar in the corner of her office. It resembled the one in Jay’s office too much for Kasey to believe it could be a coincidence.
“No thank you. I’m fine.”
Her rejection caused Renee to pause, never wanting to drink alone. Instead, she sat at her desk, staring across the glass top in silence.
“I just wanted to ask about the meeting with Cynthia yesterday. How did it go?” She finally broke the awkward silence.
Kasey wasn’t expecting that question. Renee rarely followed up with her regarding business, choosing to allow her to make her own decisions. Kasey nervously twirled her hair around her finger before responding.
“Cynthia was very nice, a bit timid, but I think in a few years she could be a good writer. For now, I don’t think she’s a good fit for Rockwell Publishing.” Her voice was almost mechanical as she rattled off the answer with little emotion, despite how strongly she felt about Cynthia.
“I figured you hadn’t signed her when I didn’t get a new contract across my desk with your name on it. What I did get were three other contracts, Kasey,” Renee reached across the desk to clasp her long fire red nails around a stack of papers. Lifting the contracts, she allowed them to fall so harshly, the loud thud made Kasey jump.
“You’re getting left behind by the other agents. I hope you don’t think I brought you on for your looks, young lady. You haven’t brought a new author to Rockwell yet. All this talk about how great you are, but I’m not seeing it.
“When I send a writer to your office, I expect the meeting to be followed by a contract on my desk, and a number one book on the charts. You’ve got to pay your way around here, Kasey. If you’re good, prove it. And if everyone is lying, I’ll handle that on my own.”
Renee rolled her eyes before crossing her legs. Kasey looked on in disgust, understanding what Jay had meant about her being so nasty. She had seen it first hand with other employees, but somehow, she felt they must have done something to deserve it. Now, sitting here, she was certain that Renee didn’t care about anything but increasing profits.
There was no conversation around Cynthia, her work, or how Kasey thought she could contribute to Rockwell Publishing. All Renee cared about was increasing the number of contracts, regardless of how it affected the writers.
“I’ll remember that.”
Kasey stood, hoping to end the meeting before it got any worse. She had been torn about her decision since her first day at Rockwell, but with every passing day, she leaned more in the direction of knowing her decision to leave Passions Publishing was a bad one.
“Kasey, listen,” Renee stopped her before she could reach the door to the office, twice the size of any other office in the building. “I don’t want there to be any sticky feelings between us. It’s just business, you know? I truly admire the connection you make with writers, but you can’t put that above the company. You work for me, not the writers. Check your priorities, okay?”
“I hear you loud and clear, Renee. Have a good weekend, okay?” Kasey smiled and Renee returned the gesture, only this time neither of their smiles carried to their eyes.
Kasey reached her office and closed the door behind her, leaning against the frame as she struggled to calm herself down. Her blood was coursing through her veins as her adrenaline pumped vigorously.
She was not the type of agent who needed to be micromanaged, every one of her previous employers could appreciate the fact and respect it, but Renee was different.
In the two weeks she’d been at the publishing house, she’d made Renee more than any other agent, but because the writers were still in contract with Jay, she wasn’t as impressed. She liked to own the writers and their work.
Now that she thought of it, Kasey felt Renee was also hung up on the fact that Jay was still benefiting in some way. There had been numerous occasions when she followed up on moving the contracts over, but Kasey was in no rush to move her writers for the second time in a month.
On her ride home, she began to think deeper about the situation and saw herself a bit more objectively. Maybe she wasn’t being the best employee. While she didn’t agree with Renee’s way of thinking about writers, she had to admit that her allegiance should be to Rockwell Publishing much more than it was.
Sending Cynthia over to Passions was a breach of trust, at the very least. She had never done anything like that with a writer, but it was also the first time she had felt like her employer was not the best opportunity for a writer.
She knew she was at a crossroads, unable to continue denying her lack of trust in Renee. Kasey wasn’t the typical publishing agent—comfortable with taking advantage of clients while driving up her fees and yearly bonuses. Renee wanted her to be something she wasn’t, and that was more than Kasey was willing to compromise for a job.
She was home when she arrived at her conclusion, shocked to see a delivery on her doorstep. Grabbing her bag from the passenger seat, she rushed up the four steps to get a better view at the amazingly beautiful bouquet of roses—a mixture of white and red. There had to be at least two dozen, more than she’d ever seen at once.
A small envelope sat in a green plastic clip between two roses, and she clasped it nervously, anxious to see who was responsible for such a kind gesture.
Kasey:
T
hank you for the help. I needed that more than you know. Please let me thank you personally by joining me for dinner tomorrow.
Jay
Her stomach fluttered as she read the words she hoped had come directly from Jay. When she first saw the roses, she’d hoped they were from him, but didn’t want to jump to conclusions and get her hopes up.
She’d thought long and hard about how she had treated Jay, deciding she deserved a cold shoulder from him after the way she had ignored him following their night together. Jay had told her he didn’t take rejection easily, after she didn’t jump at his first offer to work for him. Now, she was seeing that his determination existed outside of the professional realm as well.
My One and Only: A Bad Boy Secret Baby Second Chance Romance Page 41