I nod accordingly and air kisses circulate. I want to gag, but quickly pull it together.
“So we’d planned to talk to you tomorrow, Casey Lee, but this party is just buzzing about you.” She puts her hand on my arm, leans in a little too close, nearly spilling her champagne on me. “And did you see the McKnights? They just arrived and I heard they were asking for you. And we realized we’d better remind you that you’re very valued here. And we wouldn’t want to see you go.”
“Go?”
“Don’t play coy, my dear.” I think I smell garlic shrimp on her breath. “There have to be people calling trying to lure you away. I could name three people right now that I’m sure have contacted you.” She and the execs exchange a look.
Destiny had passed me several messages and forwarded emails saying as much, but I honestly hadn’t had the time to read them.
“And you may have heard rumblings about this.” She gives Charlie a look before continuing. “But we officially want to not only offer you your own show in New York City, but—and we can discuss this more later—we’re also prepared to give you a generous raise.”
“Very generous,” Jenson—or was that Mark?—chimes in.
“And if I didn’t want to relocate?” It’s not until all three executives stare at me like I have three heads that I remember I’m not Rachel Cole. I’m Casey Lee. And she would’ve never asked that question because she’s been killing herself for years to get an opportunity like this.
Ava leans in even closer. “Then I’d have to remind you about your contract. The one you signed that clearly states you’re willing to relocate at any time.”
“Of course.” I recover. “I’m fully aware of the details of my contract.” Ava and her minions breathe a collective sigh of relief. But I know I need to buy myself some time. Because as great an opportunity as this is for Casey, there is no way I could leave my family. “I’d just like to talk it over with my agent and have my attorney review the contract. Can I have two weeks?” I feel Charlie’s hand squeeze my arm and I hope I’ve said the right thing since I have no idea what I’m talking about.
The executives share a quick look before Ava gives a small nod. “Oh, yes, that should be fine.” She reaches her hand out to mine again. “But just two weeks, Casey. We need to strike while the iron’s hot.”
I take her hand and hope she doesn’t feel mine shaking. “Two weeks,” I repeat, realizing that the deadline is the same night as John’s surprise birthday party. And it looks like the surprise will be that his wife will be moving to New York City in her best friend’s body.
Ava starts back toward the party, but spins around. “Oh, and Casey dear?”
“Yeah?”
Ava walks closer to me and whispers, “I know you’ve obviously gotten pretty comfortable in your job.” She looks me up and down, her eyes resting on my middle section. “But we’ll need you back to your fighting weight when we head to the Big Apple.” She smiles tightly and I crumple into a chair the minute she’s gone.
Did she just call me fat? I mean, sure, Rachel Zoe seemed a bit surprised when she’d taken my measurements last week. And yes, I had to fight with the zipper on a pair of Casey’s jeans the other day, but still! I run my hand over Casey’s still very flat stomach despite all of my emotional eating. Sure, maybe I’d put on a couple of pounds, but she was still rail thin—too thin if you ask me. Is this what she goes through? A size zero told to shrink even more?
Charlie sits next to me, unaware of Ava’s comments, which I decide to keep to myself. “Isn’t this what you’ve been working for? Your own show?”
“Yes and no, but it’s complicated.”
“I’m hearing that a lot from you lately, but I don’t get it. Since when is this so complicated for you? Since I’ve known you, this is the kind of opportunity you’ve always wanted. But now that it’s actually here, you look about as excited as someone who’s about to get a root canal.”
I can’t meet his eyes. He’s right. Sitting through a time-share presentation sounds more appealing to me right now. I look back toward the party and notice Fiona watching us, having no doubt she took in the entire scene with the executives and put two and two together. If I’m not careful, she’ll pounce on this opportunity and try to sabotage it for Casey. “I shouldn’t be out here. I should be inside mingling—doing my job.” I start to make my way toward the door but Charlie steps in front of me.
“Hold it. You’re not going anywhere. Not until I do this.” Charlie leans in, presumably to kiss me just as flashbulbs go off, momentarily blinding me as I turn to my right and see a long-lens camera sticking out of the bushes. Still seeing spots, I grab Charlie’s arm. “C’mon, let’s go.”