Gigolo All the Way
Page 16
“So?” Abe scanned the screen of his phone and used his thumb to scroll down a page.
“She’ll see what she can do.”
“And the press?”
Leona plucked her earlobe. “Can you reach out? I’m sure they’ll be there to cover it and we need them. I just…let me focus on this.”
Abe side-eyed her.
“I’m fine,” she assured him.
Abe put his hands on hers. “Just do what you do best and you’ll come out on top.”
In the past, she could double the figures she gave to Tommy, even under such a tight deadline. She had talked a good game but any success tonight would take some begging and potentially buying VIP bottle service herself.
Leona forwarded the event details to Tommy, including the autograph and photo op giveaways after Luke’s performance. Her role, past getting more people and media to the club, was unclear since Luke hadn’t yet signed with Wallace Entertainment. She just hoped Tommy would inform the owners and security of the accommodations needed to manage the additional backstage traffic.
When they arrived at the office, Leona was on several calls at once, redeeming favors, bargaining with promoters, and creating a last-minute frenzy for Luke’s performance. In between calls, Abe leaned against the edge of her desk. He looked uncomfortable and not as strong as he normally was in these situations.
“I know you’re thinking about bailing after tonight, but I want you to manage him.”
“A foot in the door. Get the contract signed. That’s what you said. Now you want me to manage an artist that doesn’t even want me?” Leona reached for the phone to make another call, but Abe stayed her hand.
“You’re going to deliver tonight, even if it’s less than what you quoted. He’s going to want you because of what you will be able to accomplish in so little time. This will be big for us if he signs. We’ll be associated with a DJ that is going to explode this year under the right management—our management.”
Here we go. “What happened, Abe? How did the company get to this point where we have to rely on one difficult client as our savior?”
Abe hesitated to deliver the news, yet looked relieved at the opportunity to share the information. “A perfect storm, really. When Paul changed management, he was vocal about you and the company. The publicity hit us hard. You’ve been out for over a year and I tried to keep us afloat and work with the other managers and agents. Some stayed and others fled for greener pastures. Sure, that cut down overhead but taxed our agents, and rent in the Big City ain’t cheap. We just couldn’t acquire new talent or keep up with the demands of our current clients. The entertainment landscape has changed. We weren’t able to pull in the kind of revenue we needed.”
Her shoulders slumped. “Why didn’t you tell me, Abe? I would’ve done whatever you asked.”
He massaged his eyebrows. “That’s exactly why I didn’t tell you. I wanted you to come back when you were ready and after you faced all your demons.”
“Only one demon,” Leona returned. “You still should have told me.”
“I’m telling you now.” Abe shoved his hands into his pockets.
She swallowed the lump in her throat. “This is my fault. I’m sorry I let you down.” The tightness in her neck from the overwhelming guilt constricted her words. She blinked back tears that rimmed her lower lids as the sting of grief over her breakup with Paul surfaced. Her private lovers’ quarrel with her ex became a public circus. Her effort to separate what happened then from what was happening now failed. Leona had kept the comments about their relationship diplomatic and tasteful, but Paul’s determination to destroy her reputation, both on a personal and professional level, pushed her into seclusion. She was ashamed that she’d chosen going into hiding over protecting the company.
“No, darlin’. Things happen. Sometimes they don’t work out, but we have an opportunity with Luke. If his tour is successful, the revenue we’ll recoup will get us out of the red and we can start recovering. He needs us as much as we need him. I wouldn’t trust this with anyone but you.”
Leona wiped her eyes and with it the remorse that threatened to swell out of containment. “Which part of that horrific scene did you not witness? You’re getting old, Abe, but…”
“Watch it, young lady,” Abe warned with a grin.
“I’m kidding but not really.” Leona swiveled around in her chair. “Did you see how he flipped when I mentioned managing Paul? He either hates women, just me, or the rumors got to him.”
“He couldn’t stop staring at you. No man who does that hates women. I don’t know what his angle is, but what I saw was chemistry. You both did what you’re good at.”
Leona smirked at his vague delivery. “Which is?”
“You were managing and he was being a challenging artist.”
“Optimistic. But don’t you mean difficult artist?”
“No, challenging.” Abe patted her shoulder. “Rise to the challenge.”
She sighed.
“His agent likes you. That’ll help.”
“Hmmm.” Leona wasn’t too convinced that factor would be helpful at all.
“Will you do it, Leo?”
Abe had given her a start at Wallace Entertainment and over the years had mentored her and supported her career. Now she’d help him and the company they both loved. She could be Luke’s personal manager and work closely with Tommy on deals while Luke toured, and communicate with the tour manager she’d eventually assign to make him successful. Their interactions would be limited.
That’s fine by me. “Yes.” She stood up and moved closer to him. “I won’t let you down, Abe.”
“You never have.” He hugged her and then held her by the shoulders. “First order of business is to go and see The Musical Prophet perform tonight at Aurora Nightclub. Tommy put you on the guest list.”
“You’re not coming with me? Gee, Abe, just throw me under the bus. You saw him with me earlier and you’re going to send me into the lion’s den solo? With friends like you, who needs enemies?”
“Take your outrageous British friend with you,” he suggested. “She’ll help you lick your wounds. Just get him to agree to sign with us.”
“Okay.”
Abe grabbed his leather case by the carry handle and headed toward the door. “Oh, and, Leo?”
“Yeah?”
“Welcome back.”
“Go fly a kite, Abe.” Leona returned to her contact list. “Now where was I? Ah yes. R.”
Don’t miss IN TUNE by JN Welsh and Carina Press.
Copyright © 2018 by Jennifer N Welsh
Acknowledgments
I have a book long list of people who have been helpful to me and though I can’t mention them all, I have to mention a few from the village! To Mom, Dad and Sis, I am so blessed to share humor laughs, disagreements and love with you. Thank you Tanya for your honesty and for pushing me to be better. To Maria for keeping me accountable. To Blurb Bitch for an awesome blurb and German Creative for my awesome covers. Thank you Sarah E. Younger, my super agent, you are the best and I love the big things ahead of us. To Tati for your amazing friendship, recognizing and helping me through my blocks, and reminding me that it is okay to fail so long as I get my ass back up and be magnificent. To the Westchester-Brooklyn Crew for always holding me down and supporting everything I do and I mean everything. To my chapter for always giving me a jolt of inspiration. To Brandyn, my GSD reminder, my co-music fanatic—you are more than a besty. To Melissa who always believes in me and supports my dreams. You all are better than any gift I could ever open under my Christmas tree.
About the Author
JN Welsh is a native New Yorker and natural storyteller. As a young student in school, she was a voracious reader who stole her older sister’s romance novels. She graduated to writing entertaining love stories, in the form of long notes passed in class, for her friends. The writer was born.
She writes entertaining, often humorous, and provocative tales about
strong, career-driven, multicultural heroines who are looking for love. Her punchy, flowing dialogue and big city stories are heartwarming and stick to your ribs. When she’s not writing she can be found dancing, wine-ing, rooting for her favorite baseball team, and/or indulging in countless guilty pleasures.
For recent releases updates and to connect with her on social media sign up for JN's Newsletter or visit her website.
My Letter to You
Hi there!
Thank you for reading Gigolo All the Way! I was so excited to re-release this book with a brand new look! It’s one of my favorite stories! I love curling up with this story after baking cookies or creating a holiday playlist. I highly suggest a cup of hot cocoa garnished with a peppermint stirrer or a spiked glass of something yummy (maybe eggnog or coquito) by your side. It’s a way to enjoy the holidays no matter the time of year! This love story is near and dear to my heart and I enjoyed every moment of writing it. That first love scene still gives me tingles after all this time! Can you believe it?!
I truly enjoy hearing from my fan-friends, so please reach out to me through my website or on social media and lets connect. Also, if you love to read like I do and liked this story, check out some of my other titles!
Oh, and if you ever see me at any reader or writer events, please say, hi! I always enjoy meeting and connecting with my readers online and off.
Best to you,
JN
Books by JN Welsh
Books by JN Welsh and Carina Press
In Tune (Electric Series Book I)
Electric Series: Book II – Coming Soon
Electric Series: Book III – Coming Soon
Sea Breeze Seduction Series
Before We Say Goodbye - Book 1
Bittersweet - Book 2 – Coming soon
Moonshine and Mistletoe - Book 3 – Coming soon
Also by JN Welsh
Morris Jumel Mansion Anthology - The Spark
The Letter - An Erotic Romance Novella
Single by Choice?