my other girls.”
All three sisters nodded in agreement.
“Amy,” Micki said, walking over and placing an arm around Amy’s shoulder. “You didn’t cause trouble for the firm. In fact, you single-handedly changed public opinion about John Roper.”
“How so?” she asked, now thoroughly confused by their reaction.
“I’ve been trying to get Roper to act up again and take the spotlight off the World Series disaster. You did it without even trying! And the paper is right. You’re nothing like the bimbos he usually hangs out with, which lets people see him in a new light. A more respected light, even.” Micki’s grin said more than her words ever could about how she felt about the situation.
There were murmurs of agreement from around the table.
Amy narrowed her gaze, confounded by the entire morning. She didn’t understand New York celebrity at all, but she’d better get a handle on it and fast because her job depended on just that.
“Amy, your client is waiting for you in your office.”
She blinked, the pronouncement taking her off guard. “You still want me to work with Roper?”
“Of course! You’re still perfect for the job,” Micki assured her.
“Uncle Spencer?” Amy glanced at her uncle, needing his affirmation more than ever.
He nodded. “You’re our girl,” he said with confidence.
Her heart filled, thanks to their support, but pounded hard in her chest with the knowledge that she’d been firmly placed in Roper’s universe. Still, no matter how difficult she’d find keeping her distance from the man on a personal level, compartmentalizing was what she did best.
She had no doubt she could handle the job of organizing his life. She only hoped she could handle John Roper.
AFTER THE MEETING ADJOURNED, Micki followed her uncle to the break room. Refusing help, he’d had his assistant bring Noodle to him and let the dog bark and woof her way to where the food was located before Micki took charge and led them both to his office. They sat side by side on the comfortable couch he’d had since she was a little girl who’d come to live with him when her parents died. Unlike her sisters, she’d follow him around, and even insisted he bring her to work. This place had always been in her heart.
“Well, well, well,” Uncle Yank said. “Exciting morning.”
Micki nodded. “Poor Amy. She doesn’t understand New York and what it means to be an athlete here.”
Micki herself had been baptized by fire into the New York PR world. Micki felt awful about the unplanned coverage, but if Amy was going to survive here, she’d have to weather storms like this. Especially if she was going to get involved with Roper. The man was a media magnet.
Not that Micki knew the extent of their relationship. Roper hadn’t mentioned that Amy had spent the night at his place New Year’s Eve, but Micki understood why. Roper was nothing if not a gentleman.
She turned to her uncle. “Roper never mentioned the papers when he stopped by early this morning, so I’m sure he hasn’t seen the articles yet.” Because he’d been solely focused on Amy, Micki thought.
“He probably figured a bigger story would hit and make him old news before the photos were ever published,” Yank said.
“Probably.” Micki stood and paced the office, taking in the awards on the walls and photographs of her uncle and famous athletes he’d represented over the years-including one of Roper the day he’d signed his multimillion- dollar contract with the Renegades. “I feel bad that Amy’s upset, but you have to admit that the media talking about Roper’s love life and not his career is exactly what he needs right now.”
Yank snickered. “The boy needs more than that. But you’re right. It’s a good start. I knew you’d come around to my way of thinkin’.”
Her uncle was referring to his notion of setting up Roper and Amy. After he’d decided on that course, he’d gone to Micki for help. But having been on the receiving end of her uncle’s matchmaking schemes, Micki had refused, despite the fact that she believed the two would make a great couple. Micki wanted nothing more than to see her best friend settled and happy just as she was with Damian.
But she wouldn’t meddle. “I didn’t come around to your way of thinking. I just happen to think assigning Amy to Roper works for the business.” That it would work for them personally, as well, was a bonus. Or so Micki told herself when she’d paired them as a business team-the idea occurring to her just this morning while Roper was questioning her about Amy Stone, his interest clear.
Her uncle laughed. “Either way, the result’s the same. They’re together. Nature can do the rest.”
AMY WALKED INTO HER OFFICE only to find it empty. She returned to check back with Kelly, the receptionist she shared with one of the other publicists. “Good morning again,” Amy said.
Before she could ask, the woman handed her a stack of pink message notes. “These are for you,” Kelly said with a smile.
Amy narrowed her gaze. “I don’t know many people in town and this is my first day. What gives?”
“You’re experiencing your fifteen minutes of fame. The papers want to interview you. Mind if I give you a suggestion?” the other woman asked.
“I’m all ears,” Amy said, wanting any help she could get.
Kelly leaned closer, her bangs falling over her eyes as she leaned in, and whispered, “Ignore them.”
Amy blinked. “That’s it? That’s the magic formula?”
“That and praying for some other athlete to make a scene or screw up so he replaces you and Roper in the headlines.” Kelly nodded sagely.
“Got it. Speaking of Roper, did he-”
“Leave a message? Yes, he did. Here.” She handed Amy a white envelope with her name written on the front. “He was waiting patiently until he got an urgent phone call. Then he asked for paper to leave you a note and rushed out.” Apparently her new secretary was the epitome of efficiency.
Amy was grateful something was going right today. “Thank you, Kelly.”
“That’s my job. Oh, you have a lunch date at 1:00 p.m. today at Sparks. It’s a steak house on Forty-Sixth between Second and Third. Since that’s prime lunch hour and we’re farther uptown, you might want to give yourself some time to get there. Would you prefer cab, car or subway?” Kelly asked, pen in hand, ready to tackle anything.
Florida girl that she was, Amy wasn’t ready to take on the NYC subway system just yet. “I’ll just go down and grab a cab.”
Kelly rolled her pen between her palms. “No, never mind, that won’t work. You might not get one at that hour. I’ll make sure a car is waiting.” She placed her hand on the phone, obviously ready to do just that.
“It seems like an extravagance to take a car for lunch,” Amy said.
“We bill it to the client. It’s fine, really. SOP,” Kelly said.
“SOP?”
“Standard operating procedure.”
Amy smiled. “Got it. It looks as if you have everything covered except for one thing.”
“What’s that?” Kelly glanced up at her, surprised.
“Who am I meeting for lunch?”
Kelly tapped her head with her hands. “I didn’t mention that? Roper. It’s all in the note he left. Since he couldn’t have his business meeting with you due to a family emergency, he said he wanted to take you for lunch and do it there.”
“Aah.” Family emergency. Amy glanced at her watch. At 11:00 a.m. in the morning. Apparently Roper needed her even more than she realized.
“Take a paper and pen to lunch,” Kelly said. “Make notes so you don’t forget anything. Not that I’m suggesting you’re forgetful, but if it were
Amy grinned. “That you are, and something tells me I’m going to need your expertise during this transition period.”
“Did anyone tell you that Rachel, the other publicist I work for, is out on maternity leave? I’m all yours for the next three months.”
