Because of You (5 page)

Chapter Nine

Jill hadn’t quite gotten over the shock of how well her book was doing. Her agent, Joan Wilson, couldn’t be any happier and told Jill that, at this rate, she was going to be number one on the
New York Times
bestselling list.

“Major booksellers are having problems keeping the book in stock,” Joan told her with undisguised happiness.

Lynne was so proud of Jill that she built up her nerve and called their parents to tell them about Jill’s success. Lynne had blurted out nearly the entire news before her mother disconnected the call. Jill had to admit she wasn’t as brave as her sister, but she’d wished she’d been a fly on the wall of her parents’ apartment when her mother told her father about her accomplishment.

Jill was still processing all this fabulous news when her editor at the publishing house, Robin Wycoff, called to meet her for lunch at Serafina’s in Manhattan the following day.

Serafina’s, located on Broadway in midtown, was a trendy restaurant. As Jill emerged from her cab, Robin Wycoff was already there hovering near the bright yellow awning with the restaurant’s name in bold, blue script. Next to Robin stood a tall, slim, African-American woman dressed in a smart navy suit looking like she could have graced the pages of any fashion magazine.

In an instant, Robin hugged Jill, nearly depleting all the air from her lungs before introducing Evelyn Mason, the publicist for Barnaby & Sons. As the woman spoke, Jill noted a British accent. Her high cheekbones and cultured accent made her exotic in comparison to the frumpy Robin Wycoff, who spoke with a distinct Brooklyn accent and was far from a fashionista.

However, even though Jill realized that Evelyn may have appeared classy, Robin was in a class of her own. Despite her humorous demeanor, Robin was extremely intelligent and a good editor who prodded her to do her best. After hearing about several editor horror stories, Jill had been thrilled she was paired with a wonderful editor like Robin.

Entering the restaurant’s eye-popping glitzy interior, Jill’s eyes were doing visual calisthenics trying to take everything in. The maître d’ led them past red tablecloth-covered tables occupied by twenty- and thirty-something people, a huge black-lacquered bar with white and red polka-dot sides, then through a red archway lit with white polka-dot lights, to an intimate booth nestled between two huge, beaded mosaics picturing glamorous-looking women. On another wall was a huge stained glass window of red and yellow flames.

After Evelyn ordered a bottle of champagne to celebrate, the waiter handed them menus. Robin turned to Jill. Cheerfully she said, “This lunch is on the publisher, so eat and enjoy!”

“Can you suggest something that’s good?” Jill asked.

“Look at me,” Robin said, “do I look like there’s something I don’t like?”

The two other women chuckled goodheartedly.

“I say, experiment, Jill,” Evelyn suggested. “I love going to restaurants I’ve never been to before and trying new dishes.”

The waiter returned with the champagne and popped the cork. After pouring them each a glass, Evelyn made a toast and they clinked glasses. The two women congratulated a blushing Jill, who felt the champagne go immediately to her head. Then the waiter left, giving them time to decide what they were having.

They picked two appetizers to share:
bruschetta
, bread toasted over a wood fire with tomatoes, fresh basil, and a touch of garlic, and
sashimi di tonno
, a finely sliced sushi tuna and avocado served with a special dipping sauce.

For salads they chose the
tricolore,
which consisted of Italian radicchio, arugula, endive, shaved aged Parmesan, and pears. As for their main dishes, Evelyn opted for the
spaghetti
al’aragosta
, with came with half a lobster served in a spicy tomato sauce, while both Robin and Jill ordered
jumbo shrimp al cognac
. The shrimp was sautéed in cognac sauce and served on saffron rice.

The appetizers came right out and were passed around the table. Jill realized that she had to eat something to counteract the effects of the champagne. Being nervous about this meeting, she had had only coffee earlier. That’s why she felt the effects of the alcohol so quickly. She enjoyed the bruschetta, but wasn’t too keen on the sushi.

As they were finishing the appetizers, the waiter brought their salads and refilled everyone’s glasses before he left.

Evelyn smiled at Jill. “Your book is selling rather well. In fact, in the short time it’s been out, its sales have surpassed those of several of our most popular authors.”

“This is all so unbelievable to me.” Jill sipped her drink.

“Hey, it’s a great book,” Robin added, pushing her oversized black glasses back up the bridge of her nose. “Personally, I couldn’t put it down.”

Evelyn laughed. “That’s for certain. Robin was your biggest cheerleader. And now we’re here to discuss how you can ensure sales will continue to increase.”

“I’d certainly like that and will do all I can to help,” Jill replied earnestly.

“That’s exactly what we like hearing from our authors,” Evelyn added, giving Jill another smile.

“Who wouldn’t want to sell more books?” Robin asked. “More sales translate into more money in your pocket, plus a higher profit for the publishing house. It also helps raise the stakes in the negotiation for your next novel. Something every writer desires.”

Her next novel?
Jill had been toying with some ideas, but hadn’t come up with a sustainable plot that moved her. She still hadn’t gotten over the miraculous results of this one. She felt as if she was sleepwalking through all her good fortune and constantly pinched herself to make certain she was awake. When Joan had mentioned a three-book deal, it had gone right over her head. She was now on the hook not only for another book, but two.

Evelyn interrupted Jill’s thoughts. “We feel your book is going to be the next blockbuster. What we’d like you to do is help stimulate sales by going on several local book signings and perhaps some type of promotional tour later to put your face out there. Getting these events booked is my job, so don’t worry about that. All you have to do is show up.”

She knew she should feel terrific that the publisher was betting on her book to become a number-one bestseller, but it was all so overwhelming. As she listened to Evelyn, Jill felt the color drain from her face. She didn’t possess an out-going, showy-type personality. Most likely she’d freeze up in front of an audience. “Uh…I don’t know…I…I’ve never done any public speaking before.”

“There’s nothing to worry about,” Robin reassured her. “All you have to do is just be your pretty self and you’ll do just fine.”

“But…but…what would I say?”

“I’d help you with that,” Evelyn replied. “We’d never just throw you before a TV camera without any preparation. We’d prepare you for all your interviews.”

The waiter brought their main course. A welcome interruption. All Jill had heard was TV, which echoed in her head over and over again. And it shook her completely—down to her pumps. She’d just gotten over the idea of having to go public online with a website and blog. That was stressful enough for the type of person who often dreamed about showing up in public places naked. In a shaky voice, Jill said, “I’m not sure I’m going to be able to appear on TV—even with all the preparation in the world.”

Evelyn grinned. “Don’t work yourself up like that. I have a feeling you’re going to be a natural.”

“Whatever would give you that impression?” Jill asked in a voice wondering where she was coming from.
Unless, of course, Evelyn intended to hire an actress to play me
.

Evelyn explained. “You won’t have to say much to be a success. I guess you haven’t looked into the mirror lately. You’re a beautiful woman, Jill, the epitome of American womanhood. You’re tall, shapely, and your skin looks as smooth and soft as honey—the woman of every man’s dreams, and the one every woman secretly wishes she could be.”

“And don’t forget a talented writer, as well,” chimed in Robin.

Jill felt her face heat. They actually felt her physical attributes would help sell the book. This was something she’d never have considered. She’d never thought herself to be beautiful—or anybody’s ideal. Attractive, yes, but “the epitome of American womanhood”—never. According to her mother, the maven of all things black, the epitome of American womanhood in America was blonde and blue-eyed.

Unfortunately, her mother was just as racist as the people she accused of racism. She couldn’t see the good in the white race. Nor did she allow herself to trust a Caucasian. She tarred them all with the same damn hateful rhetoric. Thank goodness, Jill had the guts to follow her own conscience and heart. When she ran off with Adam, she may have gained a husband, but she lost her parents. In no uncertain words, they told her she was no longer welcome in their home or their hearts. “Maybe we’ll revisit the situation if you stop sleeping with the enemy,” her mother had said.
Too bad I’ve gotten more aid and comfort from “the enemy” than you gave me
,
Mama
, she thought.

“I’m sorry, Jill. I didn’t mean to embarrass you like that,” Evelyn said, lassoing Jill’s wandering thoughts and drawing her back to the present. “Only keep in mind that there’s nothing wrong in using what gifts God has given you to boost sales.”

“I realize that. It’s just…I never considered myself to be…beautiful.”

“Well take a good, long, hard look in the mirror sometime, lady. You’re a certified knockout,” Robin added. “And I’m totally jealous. What I wouldn’t give to have your face and figure.”

Jill shook her head to protest, but to be honest, coming from Robin, who was more than a little overweight and wore thick, black glasses, Jill wasn’t quite certain how much weight to give to her statement, no pun intended.

“Okay, ladies, I get the picture. Thanks for the morale boost, though.”

“So you’ll do it?” Evelyn asked, her face a mask of hope.

Jill nodded. “I’ll do whatever I can to promote my book. Who knows, maybe it will turn out to be fun,” she replied, even though her face didn’t quite mirror her words.

During the rest of lunch, Evelyn gave Jill an idea of some of the promotions she had in mind. Though it scared Jill nearly out of her mind, it excited her, as well. She had no idea how this new chapter of her life was going to play out, but she was going to take the ride no matter where it took her. And there would be no looking back, she decided.

***

The first book signing was held locally at the Barnes & Noble in Manhasset. Jill hadn’t expected so many people to show up to see an unknown, but they did. Evelyn had done her job to get the word out well, and it had paid off. By the end of the scheduled hour-and-a-half, Jill’s hand was throbbing with what she suspected felt like the first stages of carpal tunnel syndrome. She never realized how much energy it took to sign a book, let alone close to a hundred. And it would have been more had the store not run out of books. One of the sales associates had brought Jill more water and whispered into her ear that the line snaking around the bookstore was just as long as those for some of the other prominent personalities who’d been here. That gave Jill a rush like none she’d ever had.

Jill had never been surrounded by so many adoring people, either. Sitting next to a six-foot tall cardboard replica of herself made Jill feel like a clone. A silly thought occurred to her: it was too bad the replica couldn’t pitch in and sign some books, as well.

Though it was one of the most exhausting things she’d ever done, Jill had fun. She’d been quite nervous, at first, but the genuine interest and warm support of the readers chased all those negative feelings away. It made her feel…like somebody truly special. Unique.

Even more surprising, Jill discovered she rather enjoyed being the center of attention. She could easily get used to it. The wonderful dinner at Limani and the sweet lovemaking that followed afterward had renewed Jill’s hope of having Adam at home more often. But, it was often like waiting for the proverbial other shoe to drop, and on the heels of hope, disappointment often came.

It was during the drive home that Jill had a most disturbing thought. Adam had continually told her that they could never live on her salary as a bank teller. What if the success of her book had the potential to change that dynamic? What if the sales from her book made her financially independent and Adam felt threatened?

She mulled that idea over. No, of course not. Adam wasn’t a petty man—or was he? They were like two boats drifting apart lately, and he could feel differently now.

An involuntary chill rode down Jill’s spine. She truly feared that her success might prove to be a wedge that further divided them. And the “what ifs” were going to be the death of her. Yet she couldn’t avoid them.

The truth of the matter was that she and Adam had been growing apart. With all fairness, his climb up the ladder of success sowed the seeds of this divide. In his pursuit of fortune, he’d left her behind. He never wanted to be like his dad—a useless drunk who stumbled from one job to another until he drove his car into a ravine. Unfortunately, it looked like Adam had traded his fear of becoming his dad into a kind of obsession.

Adam had been correct in his assessment of her economic dependency on him; however, her publishing success could make her financially independent. Jill realized she was left with that nagging question lurking in the corner of her mind: was she still willing to make the effort to try to save her marriage? Better yet, was it at all possible now? Despite the recent great sex, was the gap between them no longer bridgeable?