The Obsession

8

She immediately shook her head, those seductive, dark curls falling across her cheeks. “No way. I don’t have the face or the personality.”

It was my turn to laugh. “I would have to disagree.”

“I know you’re not suggesting what I think you are,” Daisy said to me as a warning. Then, she shifted her gaze to Greg. “This one”—she threw a contract at him as though it were a Frisbee—“is disgusting. Would you eat a live cockroach for a quarter of a million dollars?”

There was no doubt in my mind that Kendall had a future in TV. I could feel it in my f*****g bones. I could see it as she stared back at me—the look that would appease America, the body every man would f*****g crave to be inside of, the voice that wouldn’t get on anyone’s nerves.

It all just depended on whether or not she wanted it.

“What if I told you I could land you a role on an up-and-coming reality show? Would you take it?”

“Wait,” Daisy snapped. “Isn’t this meeting about me?”

“Your agent worked hard in finding the shows that are outlined in front of you,” I responded to her. “This offer is only for your sister.”

Daisy ground her teeth together while Kendall’s jaw dropped.

“Dominick … you aren’t serious?” Kendall said softly.

“I don’t kid.”

Those big, breathtakingly blue eyes were opened so wide that they were the size of half-dollars.

“I …” Kendall shook her head. “I don’t know what to say.”

I’d heard her speak those words before.

And I knew what they’d led to last time.

“Say yes, Kendall.”

“Absolutely not,” Daisy interrupted. Now addressing her sister, she said, “You’re my assistant. That’s why I brought you out here. I’m not sharing a manager and an agent and an attorney and a TV screen with you.”

“No one said anything about sharing, Daisy.” I leaned back in my chair, folding my arms across my chest. “This building is full of managers and agents who are more than qualified to represent your sister. You have your team. She will have hers.”

Daisy glared at Greg. “How the hell does my attorney have a TV gig to offer my sister, and you can’t find me a decent show to even consider?” She huffed. “This is bullshit.”

“I don’t want to upset her more than I already have,” Kendall said, her eyes only on me. “Let’s just focus on Daisy and finding her the best offer we can.”

Daisy thrived when she was surrounded by people like Kendall. Girls who backed down because it wasn’t worth the fight, who were kind and easier to manipulate, who would sacrifice their happiness for her.

I had zero skin in this game. I wouldn’t make a penny if Kendall took the job. But my best friend needed a star, and there was one sitting in front of me right now.

“Kendall, look at me.” It took several moments before her stare found mine. “Tell me what you want.”

Five

Kendall

C

oincidences.

There were times that were so ironic, so mind-blowing, that I had to pinch myself. That was what I’d done when I laid eyes on Dominick, sitting across the table from me in a deliciously handsome, dark suit, a silver striped tie, and the scent of shower and lust wafting over from him.

Really, what were the chances that the man I hadn’t been able to stop thinking about was my sister’s lawyer?

And now, he was staring at me, waiting for an answer to a question that was completely insane.

Me … acting … on a reality TV show?

No.

But the grin on his lips, the promise in his eyes, told me he believed in me. That he wanted this for me, that he was going to make it happen.

I just had to say yes.

I set down my coffee that I’d been holding against my mouth, clearing the thickness from my throat, and glanced at my lap. If I looked at my sister, I knew what her expression would show—her opinion was more than clear. But I needed a moment that wasn’t influenced by her to breathe, to get my thoughts straight.

When I finally glanced up again, the confidence in Dominick’s eyes hadn’t wavered one bit.

“Yes.”

My sister gasped, her hand flying across the open space between us to grab my arm, but it didn’t pull my focus away from Dominick, and I watched him stand from his chair and make his way over.

He gripped the top of my seat, sliding it away from the table. “Come with me.”

My heart pounded so loudly that I was sure he could hear it. “Now?”

“Yes, Kendall. Now.”

I didn’t feel my feet as he led me out of the conference room, each step happening without my control, bringing me deeper into this crazy dream.

“I can’t believe this is happening,” I whispered, the door to each office whizzing past me as I fought to keep up with his long strides.

“Believe it.”

The scruff on his cheeks early this morning had been shaved off. The fingers that had been inside of me last night were now on my lower back. The tingles he had filled me with had returned, this time in my chest.

“Why are you doing this? I mean, helping me get this job?”

His smile made me want to melt into the carpet.

“I know a star when I see one, Kendall.”

I was positive I’d stopped breathing, the air getting especially hot as we began to slow, the last door at the end of the hallway our obvious destination.

When we stopped in front of it, Dominick knocked.

“Come in,” was spoken from the other side.

Dominick’s hand left me as he said, “Give me two minutes. I need to speak to Brett, and then I’ll come back out and get you.”

I nodded, words so far from my brain that I couldn’t form any if I tried.

He disappeared inside the office, closing the door behind him, and I leaned against the wall beside me, needing its stability to take some of my weight.

What the hell am I doing?

I knew nothing about acting or television, aside from what I’d learned in the six weeks I’d been working for Daisy. And my sister, who considered every girl in the world as her competition, was going to kill me for leaving her meeting and agreeing to Dominick’s offer.

I was positive the death threats were already coming through my phone, as it had been vibrating from my clutch since the moment we’d walked out of the conference room.

I unzipped the small bag to look.

Daisy: We need to talk.

Daisy: RIGHT NOW.

Daisy: You’re my assistant, not a TV star.

Daisy: I can’t believe you’re even considering this.

Daisy: Get back in here.

Daisy: KENDALL, what the f**k?!

The bubbles underneath her last message told me she wasn’t done screaming, that there were more texts on the way.

I couldn’t read another one.

I zipped up my purse and thanked the clouds above that I had my own apartment and I wasn’t crashing at her place. After everything that had happened today, she wasn’t going to make things pretty for me.

Is this worth it?

Am I nuts to even entertain this idea?

No one could assist Daisy like me. She needed my help, and I didn’t know how this opportunity would affect that. I wouldn’t be in LA if it wasn’t for her, and now, less than two months later, I was already debating on taking a different job.

What am I getting myself into?

“Are you ready?” Dominick said once he opened the door, startling me. I slipped inside the small crack as he continued, “Kendall, I want you to meet Brett Young.”

I didn’t need the introduction. His fiancée was one of the most famous actresses in Hollywood, making Brett Young a household name. Pictures of them were on the pages of every magazine and online article. There were i********: fan pages dedicated just to them.

But professionally, Brett was one of the top agents in the world and one of the owners of The Agency, a company Daisy mentioned at least once a day since her agent worked for him. Having Brett represent her was Daisy’s ultimate goal.

And now, I was standing in front of his desk.

What the ever-loving f**k?

“Brett, this is Kendall Roy,” Dominick said, finishing the introduction.

Brett stood from behind his desk, extending his hand, and I shook his firm grip.

“It’s a real pleasure,” I heard myself say.

“Likewise.”

He sat down, motioning for us to do the same, and Dominick and I filled the two vacant chairs.

“My friend Dominick has an impeccable eye for talent,” Brett began. “In fact, together, we’ve closed some of the largest entertainment deals in the world.” As he paused, a wave of chills ran up my arms and across my chest, each hammer of my heart causing my throat to shudder. “When he tells me he’s got someone for one of my shows, I take his word for it.” He glanced at Dominick and then back to me. “I see why he chose you.”

You do?

That thought didn’t leave my head.

Instead, it simmered and boiled.

“Tell me, Kendall, are you interested in hearing about the offer?”

“I … think so.” I cleared my throat. “This is just so unexpected. I mean, I never imagined any of this, so please excuse everything I’m saying. I’m afraid I’m not making any sense.”

He laughed, crossing his hands over the dark wooden top. “Filming begins in two weeks. It features a group of six girls, highlighting their lives in LA. Similar to the show your sister is on but more upscale. Think flying in a private jet to Bali, dining at only top-rated restaurants, being chauffeured around town in a Rolls-Royce.”

I didn’t know this life. My sister earned a s**t-ton, but that wasn’t me. I’d purchased a seven-year-old used car and would be paying off my student loans and credit card debt until I died. The efficiency I rented was far from phenomenal.

“Don’t worry,” he added. “The show will assume the cost of everything and pay you a hefty salary.” He pushed a stack of papers in my direction. “The preliminary buzz has been so strong that they’re anticipating to break all streaming and cable ratings records in their category. Advertising fees have doubled in the last month alone. In other words, I expect a second season.”

This was heavy.

But it was nothing compared to the feeling that hit me when I glanced down and saw the salary listed on the first page of the contract.

I clasped my hands together to stop them from shaking. I’d be able to pay off my student loans and credit card debt along with my car and prepay an entire year—or four—of rent, and I’d still have a massive amount to stow away in the bank.

“That salary is only a starting point,” Dominick said. “Brett and I will get you more.”

“More?”

“We’re good for about a twenty percent increase,” Brett admitted.

I couldn’t believe what I was hearing.

Seeing.

Reading on the sheet in front of me.

“As for the role, the studio is looking for someone with spark. Not the fire starter, not anyone shy or reserved. I need a woman who’s quick-witted and charming.” His eyes narrowed. “I get the feeling that’s you, Kendall.”

“It is,” Dominick agreed. “Straight down to her core.”

I searched their faces, needing to hear the answer even though they were showing it to me. “You’re sure I’m right for this?” My hands gripped the armrests even harder, the wood beneath them probably soaked from my palms.