Book Bitch

Book Bitch by Ashleigh Royce Read Free Book Online Page B

Book: Book Bitch by Ashleigh Royce Read Free Book Online
Authors: Ashleigh Royce
to know each other a little better. We will be spending a lot of time together as you learn all of my secrets.” She sipped the wine. “So, tell me something about yourself, Alex.”
    I sat back in the seat and ran a finger over the rim of the glass. “What do you want to know?”
    “Well, you’re not a native New Yorker.”
    “No, I grew up in Nebraska. I mentioned that my mom is a librarian. My dad sells life insurance. I don’t have siblings. I moved here to pursue a career in publishing. End of story.”
    “That’s not what I meant.” She shifted in the seat so that she faced me. I did the same. “What are your aspirations, your dreams? It must be more than being an editor pushing out other people’s stories.”
    I looked down at the drink in my hand. “One day, I’d like to be the most revered literary agent in the country, like you.” I hoped my smile told her that it was a compliment and not that I was being pretentious. My body tensed as I waited for her response.
    She smiled too. My shoulders relaxed. “You’re very good, you know that? You always say the right things, no matter what pressure I exert on you. You will be an awesome senior agent.”
    “What about you? What drives you? What are you aiming to accomplish?”
    Rebecca sat a moment, contemplating what she’d share with me. “Do you know that no one has ever asked me that question?” Again she thought about what she’d share. “I started out as a writer. I had a good novel, which landed me an agent. It went to print, but didn’t do well. I was devastated, but I had to accept that the public didn’t feel I was as good as I thought I was. During the entire process, I paid attention to everything my agent did. I thought, ‘I could do that for other people.’ ” So, instead of writing, I joined a publishing company. I learned everything while I went to school at night for my MFA. I worked my way up the ranks in a short time. When Frank Carruthers was ready to sell his literary agency, I swooped in and bought it. I hired Rose shortly afterward. She helped me organize things. She’s a whiz.
    “ After I built up my client base from what Carruthers passed over to me, I changed the name of the company to reflect my own. With that came the standards I insist on. I will settle for nothing less than perfection on both sides.” She took another sip of her drink. “Even though I have Jayne in the legal department recruit and interview potential new comers, I am the final say on everything, including who gets hired, or promoted. You may not be aware of it, but I watch everyone carefully. I need to make sure the agency is a well-oiled machine. I can’t have any broken cogs. My reputation is at stake. No one wants an agent who can’t handle the toughness of this business.”
    I understood and agreed with everything she said. It was the same principal I prided my own decisions on. I wasn’t sure how to proceed with the conversation. Instead, I looked around the room. There were no photos. The room was stark, empty of color, of anything truly personal, of emotion. It made me focus on her. I wondered what was going on inside of her. Her attractiveness distracted people from her intelligence. I was guilty of falling into that category as well.
    She stood and walked to the window. Staring out into the city, she spoke as if she was addressing it instead of me. “People think I’m cold and devoid of feelings. I know they call me the Book Bitch. It’s not true. I care very much, but in this business, emotion equates with weakness. I’d be chewed up and spit out if I show any compassion.” She turned to look at me. For the first time, she appeared vulnerable, susceptible. Sexy.
    I put my glass on the coffee table, stood and walked up to her. I’m not sure why. I just wanted to be next to her, maybe to read her expression better. We were two inches apart when I stopped. “You’re not weak.” Her perfume was the catalyst that started the blood

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