“How dare you? This agency is still the best in the industry. You’ll find out soon enough that Miss Navarro’s negotiating skills aren’t so effective without my name behind her. Good luck, Mr. Turner. I hope you and your girlfriend will be happy. It’s a good thing I’ve helped you become so wealthy. You’re going to need it because I’m going to ruin you and Miss Navarro,” Victoria said ominously. James came over to me and his hand found the small of my back.
“Bring it, Fraulein,” was all James said and we turned to leave but Peter stopped us before James could lead me away.
“Victoria, I happen to agree with James. You can take my job and shove it,” Peter said totally out of character. James and I laughed and Victoria tried hard to remain stoic, but I could tell she was beyond angry at losing control of the situation. Peter joined us as we walked out of the offices and made our way to the street.
“Breakfast is on me,” James announced once we found ourselves outside. We all climbed into the rental car and James pulled into traffic.
Peter sat back and sighed deeply, “I know you don’t drink James, but I’m having a fucking bloody mary. Did I really just quit my job?” I looked back, offered Peter my hand and smiled warmly as he took it.
“Thank you, Peter. You’re a good friend and you have balls of steel,” I said. Peter laughed as James turned to regard him as we stopped at a red light.
“Pete, don’t worry. I take care of mine. You’ll be fine,” James told Peter who thanked James for saying so. I could feel Peter’s hand shaking in mine. Peter wasn’t used to this kind of thing. Honestly, neither was I but I had a feeling that life with James would be full of moments like this. I had to admit that it was quite exhilarating if not a little frightening. I took James free hand and squeezed. He looked over at me.
“You were having bad thoughts about me, weren’t you,” James said and I looked away sheepishly.
“Yes, I’m sorry,” I answered and then looked back at him with fire in my eyes and said, “but not as bad as the thoughts I’m having right now.” James’ eyes flared and he squeezed my hand.
“Look, I’m happy for you two, but don’t forget I’m back here,” Peter remarked. I laughed and blushed at my brazen behavior and James was smiling too. We simmered down and found a place to eat. It wasn’t nine o’clock yet, but Peter sucked down two bloody marys and I matched him cup for cup with coffee. James joined in with a virgin mary of his own. I sent Josie a text letting her know everything was fine and I’d tell her all about it when I saw her. After we ate, Peter insisted on taking a cab home.
He told James and me we should be alone and we didn’t need a third wheel. He wasn’t looking forward to telling his wife about quitting, but James assured him again everything would be OK. Peter thanked him and gave me a big, drunken hug before climbing into his cab. James and I climbed into the rental and headed for his house in Malibu. I knew where I stood after James confronted Victoria, but I still had questions.
“What was all the cloak and dagger stuff about?” I asked referring to our nearly silent ride downtown.
“I like a little drama now and then,” James told me. I frowned.
“You could have said something. I was so confused after Victoria fired me. I even wondered if what she said was true. I’m sorry for that,” I explained. James took my hand.
“I understand. The Fraulein has that effect on people. I hope you trust me, really trust me, now,” James said and looked at me meaningfully.
“I do,” I replied and then asked, “So, how did you know what happened. I didn’t say anything in my phone message.”
“Swami Turner knows all,” James joked theatrically wiggling his fingers at me but I refused to laugh and just glared at him. I could only play mad for so long, however, before cracking a smile. James explained, “No dice, huh? OK, Pete left me a message but I didn’t get it until late last night. I called him and he explained the whole deal and then sent me a copy of the contract. I guess he stole it off your computer after you left. I never got your message I was so upset. I couldn’t get a flight so I rented a car and drove here overnight.”
“Wow! Thank you. I meant to show you the draft contract in San Francisco but I forgot after the concert and all that,” I told him and then asked, “Do you like it?”
“You did good, little girl. Twenty-four stops? That’s fucking awesome. That will give the band more than enough time to work on the new album and I can spend the rest with you. I could give a crap about the pittance you gave up to get that. I knew you’d make a great agent,” James told me and I blushed. Then he asked, “All that? That’s how you refer to the other night when you fucked my brains out?”