HDU (41 page)

“Thank you,” Amanda breathed, remembering to
speak.
 
She reminded herself to
stop bouncing her knee with excitement, especially as Thea began to outline the
terms of her employment.
 
Quite
simply, she was under contract with June Magazine for a year, required to write
monthly advice columns and partake in whatever roundtable discussions they conducted
(“June’s Writers Discuss Their Personal Detox Secrets!” or “Staff Picks: Beach
Reads That Won’t Make You Fall Asleep and Get Sunburned”).
 
The salary was worth slightly less than
Pop Dinner’s offer, but that didn’t matter to Amanda considering the benefits
and prestige of working for June Magazine.
 
Besides, Wendy mentioned opportunities to be assigned stories
that were paid by the word.
 
It was
really too good to be true.

“And it can all be done from the comfort of your home
or, if you prefer, here at the office – since you might concentrate
better in an actual work environment,” Wendy beamed.
 
Amanda tried not to nod too eagerly, but the idea of actually
reporting to work at Yorke Tower was too overwhelmingly exciting.
 
Aside from the fact that she’d seen the
iconic building in famous photography and films, it was home to nearly a dozen
other magazines and bustled daily with interesting activity.
 
It was the perfect place to meet people
and start her new life in the city.

“And finally, the catch,” Thea cleared her throat.
 
Shit
.
 
Amanda froze and blinked, staring intently.
 
Of
course there’s a catch.
 
Why didn’t
you think there’d be a catch?
Thea laughed at her expression.
 
“It’s nothing big, you’re just under a
bit of a ‘good behavior’ clause.
 
Do you know what that is?”

Amanda nodded slowly.
 
She had moderated HDU for long enough to know that good behavior
clauses were sometimes implemented by studios into an actor’s contract,
generally to keep any personal drama or outside controversy from marring the
film or show’s image.
 
She wasn’t
sure if she’d ever heard of them being used for writers.

“We obviously have a reputation to uphold here with
who we bring onto our staff, and it’s a bit funny, Amanda – you’re currently
walking a fine line between solid B-list and complete D-list,” Thea said, still
planted behind Wendy’s chair.
 
Amanda raised her eyebrows, sneaking a glance at Wendy, who could only
give an apologetic look as Thea continued.
 
“People like you so far because you haven’t made any
missteps.
 
Yet.
 
Obviously, turning down Pop Dinner for
June Magazine keeps your streak alive.
 
But the public hasn’t known you long, so the first questionable thing
you do can turn them against you.
 
And
since you don’t have a manager or publicist, I’ll just give you some very easy
and simple advice that’ll be your key to keeping a good image.
 
Are you ready to take it?” Thea’s lips
returned to a purse that suggested there was only one answer to her question.

“Yes,” Amanda said.
 
“Of course.”

“Good.”
 
Thea
clasped her skinny hands together.
 
“Part one is to keep Casey Mulreed and Dylan Hardy close to you.”

Amanda flinched but nodded eagerly to disguise it.
 
She wasn’t sure if it was the mention
of Casey or Dylan that caused her nervous reaction, but she could tell that Wendy
thought it was the latter as she winked at her knowingly.
 
Right,
she thinks I’m still in love with him
, Amanda remembered.
 
She’d almost forgotten that Wendy had
been the one to tip off Casey to her crush on Dylan, totally oblivious to the
damage she’d be doing.

“Now, those two – June Magazine adores working
with them,” Thea said.
 
“In fact…”
she trailed off, rolling her eyes at Wendy teasingly.
 
“Would
you
like to
tell her?”

Amanda cocked an eyebrow as Wendy turned to her with
half her coy smile bitten back.
 
“This
was my idea and I hope you’ll forgive me, but your first assignment is to
interview Dylan tomorrow.”

Amanda stared blankly.
 
“What?”

“At the Thierry Marc luncheon.
 
Just get a few words about his arts
foundation that’s launching next week.
 
It’ll be a pleasant little surprise for him.”

Amanda blinked.
 
Holy shit
.
 
She had no idea how to interview, nor
did she know who Thierry Marc was, or even what the difference between the
words “lunch” and “luncheon” were.
 
Wendy seemed to read her mind.

“Don’t worry.
 
I’m attending as well so it’s not all on you.
 
And in case you don’t know, Thierry Marc is the fashion
designer they’re honoring tomorrow.
 
Dylan will be there because he actually started his career modeling for him.”

I knew that
,
Amanda realized.
 
As a teenager,
she had tracked his old modeling photos online and printed them out, using them
to wallpaper her bedroom.
 
She hadn’t
known then who the designer was because that wasn’t what mattered to her.
 
All she cared about was the fact that
Dylan was gorgeous.
 
Is gorgeous
, Amanda corrected
herself.
 
Suddenly, it was her turn
to bite her lip back as she smiled.
 
Wendy grinned.

“I had a feeling you’d be pleased! I mean, what
better way to get over a breakup, right?”

Amanda blushed.
 
“Oh no, I’m not…”

Wendy waved her hand.
 
“No need to explain, just tell me that you’re excited and
ready to go.
 
We’ll messenger you a
few Thierry dresses to pick from today and I’ll have a car waiting outside your
apartment by tomorrow morning.
 
How’s
that sound to you?”

Amanda was speechless.
 
How could it sound
anything but amazing?
It was intimidating, sure, but attending the giant
event was now her job so there was no declining the invitation.
 
Amanda could only answer Wendy with a laugh
of disbelief.
 
She was being paid
to wear designer clothing, attend some glamorous luncheon and interview a
celebrity.
 
It was a nerve-racking
assignment, but at least it was with Dylan, someone Amanda already knew and
liked.
 
After reminiscing about her
teenaged bedroom wallpapered with his pictures, she was actually kind of
looking forward to see him again, despite how they’d left off in L.A.
 
And unless his feelings had changed
since then, he’d be looking forward to seeing her too.
 
She was single now, after all.
 
And
I’ll make sure I look good
.

Suddenly, Amanda couldn’t wait to go.
 
Wendy wasn’t wrong – Dylan
was
a good distraction from the breakup.
 
And as she’d been telling herself,
she needed to move on.

“Now for part two of my advice,” Thea said, rounding
over to the front of the desk.
 
She
leaned against it and tried that smile again.
 
“I know you’re not a party girl, so I’m not concerned about
you getting arrested or caught doing coke or anything.
 
Your biggest risk is being
associated
with those sloppy types, since
they tend to wreak general havoc for the people around them.
 
So if you work with June Magazine,
Amanda, you have a responsibility to steer clear of that kind of drama.”
 
Gemma watched as Thea plucked up the
Tiffany pen to place it into her hand.
 
“More specifically, by signing, you promise that you wouldn’t ever let
yourself be seen again near your old friend Ian Marsh.”

- Chapter 13 -

BECAUSE NO
ONE ELSE WILL ASK: WHO DID LIAM CHEAT ON AMANDA WITH?

Pop Dinner

February 20

Sorry to break it to you, but your fairy tale couple was
a sham.
 
Let’s be honest here
– any romance that involves an unremarkable size 8 and a faithful Liam
Brody exists in the same universe as fairies and unicorns.
 
Hate to say it, but we told you so!

Now, onto the pressing question: with whom did Liam
Brody cheat on poor, unsuspecting Amanda Nathan? It had to have happened.
 
Was it a past co-star? A present
co-star? The new Victoria’s Secret Angel? All of the above? Realistically, it
could very well be the last option, but we at Pop Dinner are working on a
special story for you, as we’ve recently come across an interesting tip that
could explain the unraveling of Liamanda.
 
We’ll give you a hint: It comes from a very sexy source, and we’ve
spoken of her before.

Dying of suspense? Be patient, gossip lovers –
details are soon to come.

Amanda stared out the window as her town car cruised up
along the East River.
 
She kept her
bejeweled fingers pressed against her borrowed clutch so she could feel if her
cell vibrated.
 
She preferred to
hold it in her hand in case Ian called back, but for the luncheon, the chipped
Samsung flip phone had to be concealed, hidden away from her otherwise pristine
designer outfit.

Underneath her borrowed tweed jacket was the dress she
had picked from the three that Wendy sent.
 
It was tight and white, two terrifying elements she normally
avoided in fashion – but this dress was different.
 
Its peplum waist hid her not-quite-flat
tummy and gave her a remarkable hourglass silhouette.
 
Paired with her onyx rings and black pumps – also
courtesy of June Magazine – Amanda actually felt stylish enough for the high
fashion luncheon.

If only she could get rid of her nerves over Ian.

She had spent hours trying to justify her decision
after signing the contract at Yorke Tower yesterday.
 
He’s been ignoring me,
so what difference does it make if I signed a contract that bans me from seeing
him? We wouldn’t see each other anyway.
 
He’s MIA.
 
I was going to
try and find him, but he probably doesn’t want to be found.
 
Right?

“They’re being cautious with me because I’m a new
hire.
 
And I don’t want to do
anything to upset them because this is such an incredible opportunity,” she had
said in the rueful voicemail she eventually left him.
 
“I’m sure that once everyone forgets about the fight in L.A,
we’ll be able to hang out again.
 
It’s
just in the meantime, we can’t.”

Amanda shuddered at the memory of the message.
 
She wasn’t at all sure how long “the
meantime” meant – it was just the most diplomatic way she could word
things.
 
Ugh
.
 
Her stomach
turned with that familiar guilt again.
 
But a timely distraction came from her driver, whose merry voice rang
like a bell to stir her from her thoughts.

“Lincoln Center,” he announced, parking the car.

Amanda stared out at the familiar scene – a grand
staircase preceding a plaza of white buildings with towering windows, a circular
fountain in the center of it all.
 
It
was yet another place that she’d seen in countless movies growing up –
generally the setting for some sophisticated gala or ballet premiere, where
people dressed in Chanel suits and strings of pearls.

And you’re here
,
Amanda told herself.
 
Not only
that, her name was on an exclusive list at the door.
 
The fact alone was thrilling enough to give Amanda’s racing
conscience a rest.
 
She suddenly
remembered how excited she was to see Dylan, since she was completely ready for
him this time – free of drama, impeccably dressed and officially single.

By the time the driver opened her car door, Ian had
been relegated to an afterthought.
 
The buzz outside was palpable as the luncheon guests made their
arrivals.
 
Crowds of tourists began
forming to watch.
 
Gazing at the
parade of cashmere, tweed and fur, Amanda was practically content to just watch
herself.
 
The only thing that
reminded her to get out and join was the proffered hand of her driver.

“Look! There’s another one of them,” a girl whispered
urgently, directing her family’s eyes from the posh guests over to Amanda as
her heels clicked up the stairs.
 
Their unblinking wonder remained as she gave them a smile and headed for
the entrance of Avery Fisher Hall.
 
Another one of them
, Amanda
repeated the girl’s flattering words as she joined the stream of fashion and
society figures entering the building.

~

“This is what happens when they serve too much
alcohol at an estrogen-fest,” said Kelly, the senior beauty editor at June
Magazine.
 
Her beaded tassel
earrings grazed Amanda’s shoulder as she leaned in and lowered her voice.
 
“All the tipsy ladies start flirting
with whichever straight guys they can find.
 
There’s usually a grand total of four, so prepare to witness
the ambushes.”