So, fine.
I was a bitch.
Great. Congrats. Moving on.
I turned my eyes back to Lane, who seemed to have shrunk two feet in the last thirty seconds. “I am a bitch,” I said. “But I’m a bitch who gets her shit done. However, I’m also one who has no qualms about firing you, so it’s time for you to get with the program or get the hell out.” I lifted a brow. “You’re replaceable, Lane. I want to make it so you’re not, but you’ve got to work with me. If you don’t . . .”
I purposely let the sentence trail for a few seconds then glanced at my watch.
“If you don’t get me the Conner file by five, don’t bother showing up tomorrow.”
His eyes found mine again, and I honestly wasn’t sure which way the tide would flow with that one. Ten-to-one he’d be gone in the morning.
—Get your copy at www.books2read.com/Bitch
Cougar
“You’re Artie.” Pierce Daniels, the aforementioned handsome, young director, answered his own question and sat in the chair opposite me.
It was late-afternoon in L.A., the restaurant we were in was one of my favorites, and I’d become fancy and important enough—ha—that they’d let me come in before they opened. Fancy and important had its perks, though this particular perk was mostly because I liked the chef—female, insanely good with all things carb-related (which was a feat sometimes in the land of Hollywood), and driven—and so I’d become a silent partner in the restaurant.
“I’m Artie,” I confirmed. “Nice to meet you, Pierce.”
He pulled out a laptop and I laughed internally. God, I loved energetic new blood, loved he was so excited about this project that he’d brought materials to go over. I’d been in the industry long enough to be jaded and cynical.
Pierce had exactly the kind of enthusiasm we needed in this town.
“Thanks for meeting with me,” he said, powering up the computer. “I loved In For a Penny”—the first film I’d produced that had made its way to the awards circuit and also had garnered me my first Oscar—“but I think my favorite is actually Into the Fire.”
I smiled. “Thanks for saying that.” I set my glass on the table. “I was able to screen your most recent film. It’s going to be a hit.”
Notice I didn’t subscribe to false flattery.
Objectively, I didn’t like his movies.
However, that didn’t mean I was immune to the knowledge that he was supremely talented.
He froze for a minute, studying me closely, and I was locked in place by a pair of the prettiest eyes I’d ever seen. Stormy gray with indigo bisecting their depths. Those irises darkened, understanding clouding his expression.
Click.
The laptop shut.
“It’s a no,” he announced, sitting back in his chair almost haphazardly.
I frowned.
“You’re a no on the film.”
My fingers circled the stem of my water glass. “It’s a no,” I agreed. “Probably the stupidest no I’ll ever give, considering how successful you’ll be in the next year or two.” I lifted the cup to my lips, took a sip. “But the script just isn’t something I’ll ever make.”
A lock of brown hair drifted over his forehead, giving the twenty-something-year-old director the appearance of someone even younger.
He brushed it back, almost annoyingly.
“Why not?” he asked. “The female lead is strong, more powerful than most of the men in the film, and that dynamic is something you specialize in.”
Cute.
“Yes, she is strong.” I waited a beat. “However, that strength is undermined by a theme of the male co-star saving the day every step of the way. I counted at least three fight scenes where she’s nearly beaten before the hero sweeps in to rescue her, not to mention his masterful ability to always get her naked and the snarky comments he makes about her driving skills.”
Pierce was quiet for a long time. Then he nodded. “You’re right.”
The waiter came over and set a plate in front of me then handed a menu to Pierce. He took it, ordering an iced tea.
“You don’t have to stay, if you don’t want,” I told him. “But if you do, I’ll still buy you lunch.”
His brows pulled down. “I thought I was buying you lunch.”
A shake of my head. “I usually pay if I’m delivering disappointing news.”
He laughed. “Ah. The stories of you are true.”
I’d been busily spearing a forkful of handmade pasta, readying to shove it in my mouth, when he spoke. “What the hell does that mean?” I asked, after chewing and swallowing.
“Just that everyone says you’re the most honest person in Hollywood.”
Shrugging, I stuck the fork in my mouth and moaned when the delicious brown butter sauce made every single one of my taste buds orgasm. “It’s true,” I agreed.
He tilted his head to the side, considering. “So, what did you think of Sunday Night?”
“Hated it.”
He burst into laughter and set the menu on the table, gesturing to the waiter. “I’ll have what she’s having.” The waiter nodded and Pierce turned back to face me. “How about Blue?
“Nope. Didn’t like it.”
One brown brow rose. “Well, it’s better than hate, so I’ll take it. Though, I’m almost afraid to ask what you think of Life and—”
“Worst one of the bunch.”
More laughter as he grabbed his laptop off the table and stuck it into his backpack. “I do love an honest woman.”
It was my turn to lift a brow. “What’s that right there?” I waved my hand at his chest. “What’s going on with all of that?”
“With what?” he asked innocently.
“This smolder nonsense you have going on.”
His lips twitched. “Smolder?”
“Don’t tell me you’re one of those guys who’s too good for Disney movies,” I said and shoved another bite into my mouth. “Tangled is the best of the bunch.”
“That’s the crazy talking,” he countered. “Clearly The Emperor’s New Groove is better.”
I gasped. “Them’s fighting words, Pierce Daniels.” But my lips twitched. “Pull the lever?” I asked innocently, quoting one of my favorite lines from the film.
Heat flickered in his eyes and head leaned forward. “Wrong lever?”
I laughed. “Okay, so maybe you do have some Disney street cred.”
“Actually,” he said, leaning back slightly to allow the waiter to set the plate in front of him. “I think those two things are actually mutually exclusive.” A beat. “But thanks for appreciating it. Even if that’s the only thing you appreciate about me.”
“That is true,” I teased, shoving a bite of pasta into my mouth and barely able to hold back my moan of pleasure.
Pierce gave me an affronted look, but then he picked up a forkful of food and stuck it in his mouth.
I waited.
His eyes widened in surprise.
I knew the feeling because I’d experienced it just over a year ago, when I’d first tasted the chef’s food. Hence, my being a silent partner in a risky investment. Still, good food was half the battle and I’d eaten here enough to know that the other important part—service—was also exceptional.