“But, I…”
“Tell her how you’re busy screwing Brad Hollows and will do anything he says to keep him in the limelight, even not taking proper care of your other clients.”
“No, no that’s not right. I—” Kim’s face was red and she couldn’t get the words out.
“You’re sleeping with that sleazy bastard? Are you kidding me?” Delilah held her hand to her heart. The emotions running through her chest threatened to swamp her. She had been duped and it hurt. “Why, Kim? Why him?”
“Why not? Brad is an amazing man and a fantastic actor. Just because he turned you down when you tried to get into his pants, you want to ruin his career. I know all about it, Del, he told me.” Kim’s lips trembled and her eyes were wild as she turned on Delilah.
“What a crock of shit!” Delilah jumped to her feet. “That slime ball. He is the last person I would want to get into bed with. Can you hear yourself here? He is the last person on earth I would sleep with.” Rage made her body tremble and it was all she could do not to lash out and hit something.
“You wouldn’t know a real man if you fell over one and he is all man, believe me. It’s pathetic Del, you can’t even keep a boyfriend if you tried. Because Brad is too good for you and I have him, you want to ruin his career. I won’t let you, understand?”
Del advanced on her. “If you want to meet a real man, Kim, go out back and see what’s out there. Brad Hollows is nothing but a spoilt young upstart who thinks he’s better than he is. He is the main reason I want to give up the show. I can’t bring myself to write nice things for him anymore. He is a shallow man who can’t act to save himself.”
“How dare you?”
“No, how dare you? You were supposed to be my friend as well as my agent. I trusted you to look after my best interests, not feather your nest at my expense. You’re fired, Kim.” Once the words were out of her mouth, she felt an enormous wave of relief. She glanced at Paul who tried his best to hide the smile twitching his lips.
Kim collapsed in the chair. “No, you can’t do this to me.”
“Sounds like she already has. I think it’s time we parted ways too. Your office was only here for the benefit of Delilah and the show. I suggest you make plans to move into town or wherever else you think you might need to be. I want you out of here by five o’clock tonight.” He stood and held his hands behind his back, looking down at her.
“But…but what about Brad? What about his contract with you?”
“We can discuss that by mail when it’s due for renewal, which I believe is in the next couple of months.”
Kim staggered to the door, looking as gutted as Delilah had felt when she heard the news. How could her friend and manager do this to her? She’d trusted the woman with her career, her future.
“Have a seat, and we can discuss this further.” He picked up his phone and ordered coffee. “Now, about that co-writer…I was going to suggest Lila Howard. You know each other and seem to work with very similar traits. Do you think a meeting would be in order? I’ll do what I have to do to keep you, Delilah. I mean it. Kim can find other clients. I think it’s time you looked after yourself.”
Del sunk back into her chair, the ramifications of the last few minutes seeping into her brain. “I can’t believe she did that. Funny thing is Blake’s brother-in-law said she wasn’t looking after me and I could do better by myself. I didn’t believe him at first, now I do.”
“Look, you know this business is pretty cut throat. People do what they have to so they can survive.” He paused when the door opened and a tray of coffee was brought in by one of his secretaries and placed on the table in front of them. “I wasn’t surprised they hooked up but I’m with you. Brad Hollows has had his time. I want meatier characters like those in your book. Real men women can relate too.”
“But I thought you were happy with Brad. Kim told me you had a fit when I tried to bring in another actor.”
He handed her a mug of coffee before speaking again. “Yes, I wanted him to stay then. The ratings were going through the roof and we were kicking the other studio’s ass, so to speak, but even I can see this is going to be the last season. After so many years in the business, I’m pretty sure I have a nose for when to let go and this is it.”
“So, if I work with Lisa on the final series, I can leave the city and keep working on this one then?” She pointed at her manuscript before taking a sip of coffee.
“Yes, so long as you sign a contract for it now. I want it. How much time do you think you’ll need to finish it?”
“I’d like six months if that’s okay?”
“Fine, I’ll have legal draw up a contract today. Now, tell me about this Outback hero who is taking you away from this fair city of ours.”
“I made the mistake of losing my last boyfriend because I put work first. I won’t let that happen again.” She smiled to herself. “Blake is a true man. He lives on the land, works hard and is trying to raise two kids on his own. I have to go back and see if he still wants me. I think I might have upset the relationship by coming back here.”
“I’ll need you around for a bit longer, if that’s okay, and then you’re free to go.
