L.A. Fire (41 page)

 
All at once, Angela’s face went pale, and her expression became deadly serious.
“What’s wrong?” I asked.

 
She bit down on her lip. “Okay, don’t freak out. But Julian’s here with another
woman.”

 
I felt my heart lurch up into my throat. I took a deep breath, then spun around
in my chair. Sure enough, Julian was sitting a few tables away. He was facing
me, and as usual, my breath caught when I saw him. He was dressed in my
favorite teak silk Armani suit, and his fierce blue eyes gleamed in the light
coming in through the window. The woman he was with had her back turned toward
me. She was dressed in an outlandish outfit; a crazy gold-sequined dress with a
jagged hemline, and zebra print three inch stilettos. Her thick honey hair hung
in waves over her shoulders, and I had a sudden violent urge to run over and
yank it out of her scalp. But then she turned her profile and I immediately
recognized her. It was Sylvia Laurence. I sighed in relief, then turned back to
Angela.

 
“It’s okay,” I said. “He’s on a business date. Cooper McGregor is trying to
score the same client as Stone and Allen.”

 
Angela looked at me like I was crazy. “Then it most certainly isn’t okay,” she
said. “He’s your competition, and he’s trying to win over a client that you
need to score. You’ve got to make a move, Ser.”

 
I sat still for a moment, feeling torn. Part of me felt it was aggressive to go
intrude, but another part of me screamed that it was important for my career
that I not let Julian win. The career girl in me finally won out. “You’re
right,” I said to Angela. “I’m heading over there.”

 
Her eyes crinkled at the corners, and she reached over to squeeze my hand. “Go
get ‘em, Tiger,” she said. I chuckled, and took a long swig of my drink.

 
“Liquid courage,” I said, getting to me feet.

 
As I approached Julian’s table, he must have felt me coming, because his eyes
instantly flicked over and locked with mine. Today I was wearing a simple blue
lace dress, and he quickly scanned my body in a possessive way. His look told
me he still considered me to be his, and that realization sent heat, desire,
and a strange sense of security flooding through me. When I reached his table,
he gave me a warm smile, and his face turned into a mask of professionalism.
“Sarah,” he said. “It’s so good to see you.”

 
Sylvia turned her attention me, her eyes shrewd and assessing. “What brings you
here today, Ms. Stevens?”

 
I took a deep breath, and gestured over to the table where Angela was sitting.
“I was just having a drink with a friend when I noticed you and Julian over
here. I didn’t want to miss the opportunity to come over and say hello.”

 
Sylvia gave me a shrewd smile. “You mean you came to over to size up the
competition.”

 
Julian’s face registered surprise. “The competition?” he asked.

 
Sylvia gave him an artfully coy look. “Yes,” she said. “I’ve been shopping
around. It’s a toss up for me between Cooper McGregor and Stone and Allen. I
could flip a coin, but that wouldn’t be any fun. I’m looking for one of you to
woo me with your charm.”

 
I didn’t know what to say. I could feel my gut twist with nerves, and my tongue
get tied up in knots. I couldn’t believe I was choking up at the most critical
moment. I had to get it together or I would lose for sure. Julian looked at me
carefully, and then finally he spoke. “Actually, Sylvia, it’s funny for me to
find myself and Sarah on opposite teams. Sarah used to work for us. But Athena
offered her an opportunity she couldn’t pass up. So we lost her. We lost the
most promising up and coming agent we’ve hired in the whole ten years we’ve
been in business.”

 
I felt my heart swell with warmth and gratitude. Julian was making me look
amazing, even though I was the competition. I couldn’t get over his level of
generosity. I just stood there, feeling completely overwhelmed.

 
Sylvia shot Julian a strange look. “Well, Julian, you certainly aren’t doing a
very good job of selling yourself.”

 
Julian’s expression became frank. “You expect a no bullshit approach, Sylvia.
And that’s what I’m giving you. I’ve always been honest with you, and I will
continue to be for the rest of our professional acquaintance. Even if it’s to
my own detriment.”

 
Sylvia nodded slowly, then turned her attention to me, a slow smile spreading
across her face. “It’s impressive that you’ve had the best agents in the industry
already fighting over you, so early in your career. You must truly be
outstanding at your job.”

 
I finally regained my voice, and my poise. “I work hard for my boss, and my
boss’s clients. You could almost say I live for my job.”

 
Sylvia studied me carefully. “Your dedication is impressive. But don’t forget
to have a little fun too. All work and no play isn’t good for anybody.”

 
My eyes flicked to Julian, and I felt longing well up in me. Sylvia’s words had
truly hit home. I stood there looking at him for a long time, before I caught
myself staring, and quickly snapped myself out of it. “It was good to see both
of you,” I said, looking back and forth between the two of them. “Hopefully
we’ll be in touch soon,” I added.

 
Sylvia smiled vaguely, nodded, and then turned her attention back to Julian. I
quickly made my way back to Angela.

 
“How did it go?” Angela asked, her voice brimming over with curiosity.

 
“I don’t know,” I said. “I mean, I don’t know if I’ll score the account. But what
I do know is that Julian is an absolute gentleman. And he cares for me deeply.”

 
Angela rolled her eyes, and took a sip of her new drink. “I could have told you
that about a hundred years ago,” she said. “Glad to see your eyes are finally
wide open.”

***

 
When I came into the office Monday morning, I found a message on my desk,
telling me to go directly to Athena’s office. I dropped my things, hurried down
the hall, and, while peeking my head in her office, I knocked on her door. Her eyes
rose from the papers she was studying, and, when she saw me, she started
beaming.

 
“Come in,” she said. “And close the door.”

 
When I settled into the armchair across from her, she studied me, her face full
of triumph and pride. “Sylvia Laurence signed with us,” she said.

 
I felt a jolt of excitement rush through me, and my mouth dropped open. “Oh my
god,” I said, then instantly felt sheepish for making such an unprofessional
remark.

 
Athena waved away my embarrassment. “Don’t feel silly,” she said. “You have
every right to be over the moon about this. It’s a major score.” Then the
corner of her mouth quirked up slightly and she cocked her head at an angle.
“Sylvia told me she ran into you at that new bar,
Stella’s
, on Friday,
and after Julian raved about you, she was sold.”

 
My heart swelled again with warmth and longing. Julian had done this for me. He
knew how important my career was to me, and he’d helped me out. But he hadn’t
pulled strings for me. He knew I’d hate that. He simply told Sylvia what both
Paul and Athena had said about my talents and my work ethic. Still, he’d
sacrificed a major client for my sake. He could have put on the charm, and used
his years of experience to reel Sylvia in. And if anyone knew how charming and
persuasive Julian could be, it was me. But he didn’t. Instead he put me in the
spotlight, drew attention to my talents, and helped me win a major client. He
wasn’t jeopardizing my career, patronizing me, or treating me like arm candy.
In fact, I realized, he never really had. He’d always taken every opportunity
to introduce me as a colleague, or boast about my talents. Julian was certainly
a powerful man, but he wasn’t trying to make me live in his shadow. That was my
own issue that had to do with my past with Rob, and my dad’s relationship with
my mom.

 
Athena ran the edge of her finger along a stack of papers, then gave me a
pointed look. “I know enough about Julian to know he tells the truth. Whatever
he said about you, he believed every word. Still, the man went out of his way
for you,” Athena said, reaching for her coffee mug. “I’d have to say that man
is smitten with you.” She took a sip of her coffee and eyed me attentively.
“Men like him don’t come along often. Trust me, I know. You’d be a fool to pass
him up.”

 
My mouth dropped open slightly. I couldn’t believe Athena was being this
forward with me about my personal life. Then again, I could. She was a straight
shooter, just like Julian. She called it like she saw it. “Thanks for the
advice,” I said. “I’ll definitely take it under advisement.”

 
“Good,” she said, placing her mug firmly back down on her desk. “That’s all for
now. Get your butt back to your desk,” she added, smiling warmly.

 
“Yes, ma’am,” I said, saluting her, and headed back to my cubicle.

 
When I got home that night, I felt like celebrating. I found Angela sprawled
out on the couch, in her pajamas. She didn’t have to work Monday nights and
usually ended up chilling on the couch, watching movies.

 
“Get dressed, lovely,” I said. “I’m taking you out on the town tonight.”

 
Angela gave me a lazy smile and said, “Can’t paint the town red tonight. I’m
meeting Ziggy at
Strut
for drinks at ten.”

 
I rolled my eyes at her and let out a long sigh. “Must it always be
Strut
?
You’re practically chained to that bar.”

 
Angela smirked at me, grabbed a glass of white wine she had sitting on the
coffee table, and took a sip. “Of course I am,” she said, “it’s the hottest
club in town, and for me, the drinks are free.”

 
I put my hands on my hips in an exaggeratedly bossy gesture. “Listen, bitch.
Drinks will be free anywhere we go, ‘cause I’m taking you out to celebrate your
success.”

 
A wide smile shot across Angela’s face. “I still can’t believe I scored this
wicked role,” she said.

 
“Well, I can. And we’re going to get seriously shit-faced one night celebrating
your amazing success. Deal?”

 
Angela grinned at me, her eyes twinkling. “Deal,” she said, then studied me
closely. “Wait a sec,” she said, “you’re looking pretty damn ecstatic yourself.
What’s up?”

 
I went to the kitchen to get a wine glass. “I scored that major account,” I
said.

 
“Get out,” Angela said, slapping her hand on the couch. “You mean the lady
Julian was having drinks with?”

 
“That’s the one,” I said, coming over, grabbing the bottle of wine from the
coffee table, and pouring myself a glass.

 
“Well,” she said, “Cheers to that.” We clinked glasses and both downed a big
gulp of wine, then laughed. Then she got to her feet and said, “it’s already
nine o’clock. I’ve got to get ready to go to
Strut.
And you’re coming
with me.”

 
I shook my head. “No, girl. You know I love you, but I don’t think I can handle
a whole night hanging out with Ziggy.”

 
Angela let out a long sigh. “He’s harmless. And it’ll be more fun with you
around. You’re coming,” she said decisively. “And I’m not taking no for an
answer.”

 
I thought about it for a moment, and decided to go. I really did feel like
going out tonight, and Angela was on the top of my list of people I’d like to
hang with. “Okay,” I said. “But hurry up in the shower okay? I’m going to need
at least half an hour to get ready.”

 
“Deal,” Angela said, then disappeared into the bathroom.

***

 
Angela and I arrived at
Strut
in true style. She was decked out in an
emerald green halter dress and strappy sandals, and I had on a cute, slinky
little black Bebe dress and matching stilettos. I had blown out my hair, so it
was thick and wavy, and worn my signature red lipstick. We headed straight for
the VIP section, and Mandy, the waitress on duty, guided us to the couch Ziggy
was camped out on, and then took our drink orders.