by Nella Tyler
“Amen!” Anna said. “Cammie, tomorrow night, I’m tellin’ you – you need to give it up to him.”
I jumped, and Kelly Sue cried out, “Hey!” Looking down I saw my ring finger was smudged. Grabbing a tissue, she wiped it off. “Honestly, Anna, that’s a bit much,” she scolded.
“Right?” I asked the nail artist, and then I turned to Anna. “Will you stop with all of this already? It’s business. You’re making me crazy!”
“Mhmm,” Anna said. “You mean he wants to get down to business.”
With a sigh, I gave up. Once Anna got an idea about a guy in her head, she did not let it go. But as she and Kelly Sue chattered on, I couldn’t help but think about tomorrow night, butterflies swirling in my stomach.
Later that night, after escaping the clutches of Kelly Sue and Anna, I walked to my wardrobe and peered in. All of my dresses were hung up at one end – each one modest, pretty, and professional. Then I had a few pairs of slacks and blouses. Up till a few hours ago, I was planning on wearing just a pair of gray dress pants and flowered blouse.
But now my stomach was still filled with butterflies, and I didn’t know what to do.
Glancing through my dresses again, I wondered if I should dress up a bit more. In the back of my mind, I knew I had to get the papers in order, double check the listings, and get some sleep. I had one chance to impress Kris and get him to buy a home. It was imperative to Birmingham Realty and my career there.
So why in hell was I so worried about a silly thing like what to wear?
Chapter 11
Kris
Only three more hours to go, I thought as one o’clock rolled around on Friday. Even though today had been decent enough – only two snide emails and one irritating phone call – I’d been ready to leave since I’d arrived. It was a combination of anticipation for tonight and free time to delve into my list of working ideas for the next documentary. I didn’t love any of them, but it was a start. Now, I could breathe a bit easier. I was getting somewhere.
After a late lunch, I went to Max’s office to get his wise input about broaching the new documentary again at the 3 p.m. staff meeting. It was supposed to be a quick one, touching base about current projects and so forth. So I need his wise input before I buried myself again.
His office was like a time capsule. It hadn’t changed in years – the walls were hung with vintage film posters, it had the same art deco furniture picked out by Simone, now a little worn out, and the same old Max. Listening to old school hip hop, windows flung open no matter the weather, with piles of books everywhere. I felt myself relaxing, the tension easing out of my shoulders. In a way, this office was a bit like Vince’s bowling alley – eternal.
Throwing myself into one of the recliners by the windows overlooking the quad, I grinned at Max. He was hunched over his computer, fingers flying and brow furrowed. He didn’t even seem to know I’d entered his office and I knew better than to interrupt him.
Finally, Max looked up and saw me. “Oh, hey. Sorry if you were waiting long – ton of email to catch up on.” He paused. “So you’re looking better. Actually get some sleep last night?”
I nodded and put my hands behind my head. “Even got to REM stage.”
Max rolled his eyes, letting out something between a laugh and a sigh. Then his expression became a bit apprehensive. “Not to hassle you, but any luck finding that code?”
I made a face. “Have you seen my father’s house?”
“I was afraid of that,” Max groaned. “Well, let me know if you want help.”
“Nah, I like you. I’m not gonna submit you to that horror show,” I said.
Max let out a short bark of laughter. “Thanks, I appreciate that.”
“So,” I said. “Since that’s off the table, for now, I was wondering if I should broach some of my ideas at the meeting for the new documentary. See if anything sticks, if anyone gets excited and wants to hash it out further. But I don’t know if my ideas are even ready to be workshopped.”
He shrugged. “Unfortunately, I gotta say it’s your call then. I will say this – shit takes time. And it’s a pain in the ass.”
“Yeah, I’m starting to realize that. No wonder why my dad used to get so excited when something came together.” A rueful smile spread across my face. “I don’t think I was even remotely appropriately sympathetic to the old man about this stuff.”
“Don’t worry. Simone is the same way sometimes. She gets impatient when I’m like, ‘But it’s not coming together.’ She’s like, ‘Just make it work.’ As though it were that simple.”
“Man, I wish it were,” I sighed.
“You’ll figure it out. You probably need a bit more time,” Max said in a tone of absolute confidence. “I know you don’t consider yourself a creative guy, Kris, but you’ve been surrounded by great stories and art your whole life. The idea is in there somewhere. You just have to sift through all the junk. And I’ll let you in on a secret.” He leaned forward, eyes twinkling. “It’s like that for everyone.”
One hour to go.
People filed in for the meeting, chatting about weekend plans and relaxing into their chairs. But I couldn’t sit still. I was standing up, drumming my fingers on the back of my chair and checking my watch every other minute. Finally, at 2:57, everyone had arrived. Oddly, Shelby was one of the last ones in, tossing her brown hair, and closely followed by Buck.
Seeing him made my energy sag. Why the hell was he here? Goddamn vampire feeding on enthusiasm and creativity. His job was investments, not story-telling.
Maybe he’s dating Shelby. I thought and almost laughed.
Then I glanced at Max, who was frowning too. Shelby did see more smug than usual, but Buck was his typical fake-smiling self. Following them in, however, was Rhett Verissen. He shot me a poisonous look before sitting down. And I forced a smile as I gripped the back of the chair.
When I’d started a few weeks ago, Rhett had been one of the guys I could rely on. As one of the newer hires at Bold, he’d seemed more open to shaking things up. But within the last week, he’d suddenly changed his tune, and we’d exchanged several not-so-pleasant emails. If I had to guess, he was throwing a hissy fit about his pick for the remastered film collection being passed over.
And as he sat down next to Shelby, a cold feeling invaded my stomach.
Et tu, Brute?
Geez, I knew Rhett was irritated, but I didn’t realize I’d was going to have to start quoting Shakespeare at every damn meeting. I wondered sourly if it had been this dramatic while my dad had still been alive. If so, the old man had hidden it well.
“Kris,” Max said in an undertone.
Every seat was now filled, and every face was turned to me. Faint discomfort ran through me, but it was nothing compared to that first day. In fact, I felt almost comfortable presiding over meetings now.
Huh. How about that.
Sitting down, I turned the meeting over to Frank, who talked about the documentary remastering project and its marketing. We’d finally decided on all seven films, as well as a theme to tie them all together. My father would have appreciated it. It was a tongue-in-cheek nod to how he’d become famous. And we’d just come up with it late yesterday afternoon.
Once Frank was done, Lucy dove into the numbers, sounding calm and almost content for once. Then a few other people brought up the status of other projects.
And that was it. We were done. People were still relaxed, and some were even smiling.
No drama and no need for quotations after all. I thought with relief.
Exuding a sigh, I decided to dismiss the meeting. Everyone was agreeable right now. I could wait till next week to rock the boat and discuss workshopping the new documentary ideas.
Suddenly Rhett cleared his throat. Glancing over, I saw Shelby smile, and while Buck’s expression didn’t change, his eyes glinted with satisfaction.
“Yes, Rhett?” I asked. “I was about to dismiss us for the day, but if there was something–”<
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“Thank you, Kris.” He interrupted me, and my teeth gritted. “And thank you, Lucy. With the run-down of those numbers…” Rhett was oozing complacency as he nodded at her and Lucy’s nostrils flared, “I have to ask: why aren’t we remastering an eighth one again?”
“You mean Horizon Fall?” I asked as I stared him down. I knew Rhett had sent Lucy that bogus budget request behind my back the other day. And when I’d confronted him about it, he’d claimed it was just in the name of taking initiative. Something my dad had taught him. So I’d let it go. But now I was wondering if I should have taken some kind of disciplinary action. Could I do that? Would my dad have done that? Eager to end this, I said, a warning note in my voice, “It’s too long, a bit too much of a cult favorite, and not really in line with the rest of the films.”
Rhett shot me a sour smile. “I didn’t realize you knew so much about documentaries, Kris. As a filmmaker, I have to say, I think Horizon Fall should be discussed, not dismissed.”
“There’s nothing to discuss,” I said, my tone becoming cooler. “It’s not happening. The rest of the budget has been allotted for the new documentary already.”
A murmur went around the room at that and Max tensed next to me. I kicked him under the table as he opened his mouth and he shot me a surprised look, then he hid a smile behind his hands. Clearly, he was pleased I was going to handle this.
“A documentary you’re going to come up with?” Rhett tried to ask in the tone of someone humoring a child begging for ice cream. But there was a current of fury underneath it. “What, just because you’re Lukas Boldin’s son, you can make films? I didn’t realize it worked that way.”
Anger flared up, choking my throat. For a second, I thought about sending Rhett packing.
Then I caught myself. That wouldn’t work. It would just foster more resentment and drop morale even lower.
Instead, I grinned coldly at him and said, raising my voice, “I didn’t realize you thought I worked for you, Verissen. Perhaps you don’t realize how it works here. I’m the one who signs your paycheck each week.” Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Lucy smile and wink at me. “This meeting was about getting things done, not airing petty power plays.” I snorted. “But fine, let’s discuss. Horizon Fall is not getting remastered, and it has nothing to do with anyone in this room. In fact, I had Frankie look into it. First, it’s not as popular as the other seven. In fact, it’s not even in the top twenty of Bold Pictures films. It’s a cult classic, beloved by the high-brow art crowd.
“So, yeah, I get that as a film nerd, it might go against your instincts to like anything more mainstream, but I’m not interested in your feelings, Rhett. I’m interested in moving Bold Pictures forward and carrying on my father’s legacy. A legacy that – and I apparently need to remind you of this – involves making films. In fact, didn’t you go to school for that? NYU? Or was just to learn how to make an ass out of yourself in a meeting?”
Lucy let out a laugh, then said, “Oh, sorry.”
I ignored her and stood up. Looking around the room, I continued, my voice low and deadly, “I understand that we are all in a transition period. And while I cannot tell you how much I appreciate how hard you all work, don’t think for a second I don’t know what’s been going on. I know who’s working for me and who’s working against me.” Shoulders hunched and people shifted uncomfortably as I said that. “So I’ll also remind all of you, as I just did Rhett.” I paused. “You work for Bold Pictures – you work for me.”
Dead silence.
I looked around the room. The last time I’d tried to assert my power in here, I’d dug myself a grave. Now it was as though I’d claimed the crown. And carefully I gathered up my stuff, nodded curtly and strode to the doors.
“By the way,” I said in a bored voice as I exited. “Meeting was over ten minutes ago.”
Five minutes later, Max found me in my father’s office, yanking off my tie and glaring at the twenty emails that had popped up in my inbox. I could already tell more than half of them were sycophantic panic attacks from employees worrying about getting in the wrong. But instead of pleasing me, I was now guilty and irritated at being guilty.
Had I been that much of an ass?
Lucy followed Max in and started clapping. I stared at them, my face crinkling up in a reluctant smile.
“Hm, Lucy approving of something I did? How the mighty have fallen,” I teased.
Coming over, she lightly hit my arm. “That’s how you take back a room, Kristoff!” She exclaimed and I winced. No one used my full name. “Badass Boldin coming out to play.”
“What?” I asked with a laugh.
“It’s just something we used to say, me, Luce and Hans, to your dad.” Max was beaming. “Anytime someone said no or something stupid – he’d make them wish they’d learned to think before they speak.” He grinned at me widely. “Like you did just now.”
“Thanks,” I said. “Although, I kinda feel bad. Maybe–”
“No,” Lucy interrupted. “No. Rhett was out of line, and you were right. This is a business, even if we do make amazing films. And that means professionalism along with respect for the line of command.” She snorted. “If people haven’t seen how hard you’ve been working and how much you care, then they don’t deserve to work here.” She smiled at me. “I was proud of you, Kris. Wish your old man could have seen that.”
“Same,” Max said in a wistful tone. “And Lucy said it all. You did the right thing.”
Laughing, I shook my head at them. “You guys make this all possible, you know that, right? My dad used to say that all the time.”
Both of them smiled, Lucy almost looking teary-eyed. I glanced down. Damn, I was really on a roll today. Fiddling with my watch, I absently glanced at the time, and my eyes went wide.
“Oh, shoot, is that really the time?” Looking up at them, I winked. “While I’d love for the both of you to continue singing my praises, and please do – just write it down, or perhaps record it live with song and dance – I actually have to go.”
Lucy rolled her eyes and Max chuckled. “Boldins,” he said. “You’re all the same.”
Sweeping them a bow, I then raced to get my stuff and ushered them out of the office. Even though the workday had ended on a high note, I needed to get out of here. Especially since I was hoping tonight would end on an even higher one. I was more than ready for the company of the lovely, hazel-eyed real estate agent with the sweetest smile this side of Alabama.
Chapter 12
Cammie
Hovering on my porch, too impatient to wait inside, I kept checking my watch and then peering down the street. Oh, I hoped I didn’t look too foolish. Or worse, desperate. But it was so nice out – the hot day fading into a comfortable, balmy evening.
Fluffing my skirt out, I then gazed down at my outfit. I was wearing a coral dress that flowed around me like petals of a flower spreading for spring. I’d forgotten about this dress, and when I’d pulled it out from the back of my closet, a strange little zap of exhilaration had raced across my skin. I couldn’t help but recall Kelly Sue’s declaration that coral was my color.
I’d never worn it before, either. It was an impulse buy from last spring when Anna and I had gone down to Miami for the weekend to hit the beach and the stores.
In spite of Kelly Sue, I had still hedged about wearing it. But after pushing myself to try it on, I’d agreed with her that coral was my color. And the dress was gorgeous. It had a wide sweetheart neckline, ruffled straps that slipped down around my shoulders and a skirt that belled out at the waist. Yet even then, I couldn’t help wondering if it was a bit much for a business dinner.
However, I had to get Kris Boldin to buy at any costs. So feeling reckless, I’d slipped into it tonight without a second thought. What could it hurt to use a touch of my feminine wiles?
That line of thinking had made me giggle a bit. Like Kris Boldin would ever fall for someone like me. But if I was “stepping out” with him as my Gr
amma would say, I should look nice.
A sleek Land Rover was pulling into my driveway, and I suddenly had the urge to run. Somehow I managed to wave and smile instead as Kris hopped out. Striding across my lawn, his face pulling into a smile that made my heart flutter, I wondered if he somehow had gotten better looking since I’d seen him last. He was wearing an off-white shirt, unbuttoned at the collar, and a matching jacket, along with black pants. He was the right amount of casual and dressed up.
Stopping at the bottom of the stairs, Kris put his hands in his pockets and shook his head at me. “Damn. I should have brought nametags.”
“What?” I asked, coming down one step so that we were at eye level.
He winked at me, leaning in and whispering conspiratorially, “That way people will believe you’re with me. ‘Cammie Book, Kris Boldin’s date.’ And in parentheses, ‘Seriously.’” He let out a dramatic sigh. “But even then, who can say?”
I laughed and shook my head. This close, I could see the brilliant blue of his eyes, matching the arch of early evening sky behind us, and smell his cologne. It was making me a little woozy.
“Self-deprecating jokes aside, Cammie, you are beautiful.” He rubbed the back of his neck and laughed lightly. “Yeah, so maybe I wasn’t kidding about you being too good for this sad sack.”
I flushed and said, “Don’t say that. You look nice, too. Oh, and thank you.”
“Ready to go?” Kris asked, and I nodded.
“Oh wait,” I said as I got to the bottom step. Darting back up to the stairs, I snatched my purse, the folder of houses I’d picked out from him tucked in the side. Cheeks burning, I wondered how I almost could have forgotten them.
My God, the date hasn’t even started yet, and I’m already making a fool of myself.
Kris, however, didn’t seem to notice. He just offered his arm as I came down the stairs. Feeling a bit like a princess, I let him escort me to his car and help me in. Once inside his car, I had to quietly take several deep breaths after he got in. It was so dim and close in here.