Chapter 10

Kasey

Every other weekend, Kasey met Nicole at her favorite spa for a nail treatment and to catch up on gossip. Although it was nothing special, Kasey found it to be the highlight of a long week as she pulled into the packed parking lot of a Saint Paul suburb.

After spotting her best friend’s car in the small lot, she was less than surprised to walk into the spa only to spot her bestie sipping champagne from a massage chair.

“You’re late,” Nicole revealed with a half-smile, finishing her glass.

“Five minutes!” Kasey shrieked, glancing at the Rolex watch on her left wrist. A recent client had gifted her with the fine jewelry after finding themselves atop the New York Times Best Seller list.

It was never a mission to achieve any type of selling goals, but it was quickly obvious that success gained notoriety, which was far outside her comfort zone. Honestly, Kasey found herself at a crux, believing in her artists, and fighting for their success more than her own. The success of a writer was more important than her personal career, which made her job easy—ignore yourself and focus on your clients to achieve success.

The lifestyle she deserved was only a short view away. Every day, she sat in meetings as clients confessed better offers. Kasey was never able to offer the incentives larger companies included, and when she accepted Jay Canton’s proposal, she thought it was a sign of a shift as an agent.

What she wasn’t prepared for was the reaction of her best friend, which could range from calm to hysteria, and before she opened her mouth, she decided being open was worth more than saving herself from the embarrassment.

“I’m quitting my job.”

Unable to concoct an acceptable transition into the conversation she’d been anticipating since her rooftop memory, Kasey threw her cards on the table before she could settle into her massage chair beside Nicole.

“What happened?” That was all Nicole could say in response, caught off guard by the admission.

“It’s Jay,” Kasey began, before pointing to a color on the infinite wheel of options provided by the manicurist. “I just don’t know what to do about him. He claims he wants to work together, and he values my expertise, but I don’t know.”

“You mean, he wants to know how he can make money from you.” Nicole never struggled to express her feelings, and Kasey knew her initial reaction was warranted.

Life had taught her long ago that men in her industry were sharks—always out to make the most from the least, a capitalistic predatory relationship she didn’t care to simulate.

“Exactly. He offered me a significant raise, more than I’ve ever made, but there was so much more to it.”

“Like what?” Nicole sat up in her chair, turning towards Kasey, confused by her declaration.

“First of all, he’s sexy as hell. I walked into the meeting, and he had the entire conference room emptied out, for just me and him. His suit fit him like a glove, and he spoke like a master, knowing my every move before I acted. He was in command, but somehow I liked it.” Kasey shared her thoughts with the only person she trusted unconditionally.

“What did you do?” she asked.

“What do you mean?” Kasey countered so quickly, the nail technicians paused their filing to look at both girls.

“I mean, how did you respond to his offer to work together?” Nicole asked, without looking away from her fingernails.

“I went to a corporate dinner for Passions Publishing. That’s his company, and where he wants me to work.”

“And?” Nicole was stubborn in her search for answers.

“He wanted me to feel intimidated, that much I know. He walked through the conference with an esteem I’ve never felt before. Everyone looked at him like he was a God, and I understand, because he is the most successful publisher I’ve ever met, but still it was bizarre.” Kasey answered as the nail technician tapped her ankle, silently instructing her to remove her left foot from the soaking water.

“You sound like you were impressed,” Nicole said, unable to hide the shock on her face.

“I was. But not for the reason he may think. What kind of guy do you know that has an entire corporation under his thumb? Of course, it was alluring, but it wasn’t enough to silence all the doubts.”

“What doubts could you have? I’ve read ‘Passions Publishing’ in the back of enough books to know their impact on the industry,” Nicole again shocked her best friend by speaking in business terms, something she found herself to be the expert of.

“There’s something about him, Nicole. It’s not business oriented, but I could see the way he looked at me, and always knew he wanted more. It drove me crazy!”

Kasey rolled her eyes in frustration, hoping not to offend her confidant as she struggled to find words to describe her latest interaction with Jay Canton. It had all happened so fast, and true to her dreamlike fantasies, Kasey struggled to discuss the details.

“Let me see him.”

Nicole handed Kasey her cell phone with an understanding that needed no words. There was something she was missing, but she sought to get to the bottom when she asked her best friend for a physical description.

Taking the phone, Kasey giggled while looking through pictures before landing on a favorite to show Nicole. It was a photo of Jay from a red carpet event a few months back. His hair was perfectly slicked back, while his eyes pierced the lens, exceptionally highlighting the unique shade of blue.

“This is him?” Nicole sat up in her chair, ignoring the massaging chair as she looked over to Kasey.

“Yes. And that’s not even the best picture,” she giggled, retrieving the phone before tapping the screen, maximizing another picture of Jay on a boat.

“So, tell me what happened,” Nicole pleaded.

Kasey wasn’t apprehensive, because there was nothing she wouldn’t share with Nicole. The two had been through many ups and downs, and honestly was a major part in her acceptance, as far as she was concerned.

“I went to the party he was hosting, celebrating his company’s accomplishments over the past year. It was incredible,” Kasey smiled, remembering the fun of that night.

“Did he tell you how he could see you fitting into the dynamic? I mean, what happened? There’s something you aren’t saying—it’s written all over your face!” Nicole shrieked.

Kasey was overcome by giggles as she told Nicole the whole truth—starting from the introduction to agreeing to negotiate the contract by Monday. They leaned toward each other so she could whisper the illicit details away from the ears of the nail technicians.

Nicole was anything but understanding from what Kasey could see. A guy like Jay Canton was a dog in her eyes. As far as she was concerned, she’d played her hand unreasonably—revealing there wasn’t much she wasn’t willing to do to accomplish her goals.

“It was just for business,” Kasey explained, trying to justify her actions.

“And what do you think you showed him about your business?” Nicole asked, obviously irritated.

“I showed him that I have options, and that I’ll move on to the next company if necessary.”

“Is the deal already finalized?” Nicole asked with distaste.

“Yes.”

“When do you start?” Nicole asked.

“Monday.”

It was the last word they spoke to each other, before both chose to relax in the spa chair as the technicians massaged their feet.

Nicole’s response had shocked her, but she needed to hear it. Kasey had no plans of repeating the act with Jay, but seeing the disapproving look from her best friend solidified that decision.

“It was just for business?” Nicole finally asked, after their pedicure was finished.

“Yes. And it’s all settled now. There was a tension between us and I couldn’t work with him if it persisted.”

More than an admission, it was a request for approval—Kasey wanted to know that Nicole could understand why she did what she did.

“Now that you’ve done it, you’ve got to leave it out of your system. You don’t want to continue a relationship like this, Kasey, it’s anything but professional. You know how hard it is for women to become successful in any industry without being accused of sleeping their way there. He doesn’t deserve ownership of your success.” Nicole explained her distaste, and Kasey finally understood her reaction.

“What do you think I need to do?” Kasey asked, eager to hear her friend’s suggestions.

“Forget it ever happened. And kill it in this new position.” Nicole smirked as she looked at her best friend from the corner of her eye, finally giving her the acceptance and congratulatory response she had wanted so badly.

“Thanks, Nicole.”

“Don’t thank me, this isn’t going to be easy. That man is going to try to bully you—Passions Publishing is a big deal. You’ll have to fight for your spot and let him know you’re more than a pretty face.”

“I know. And I will.”