Spotlight (11 page)
Authors: Krista Richmond
A couple of hours later, the message appeared in Nate’s in-box.
From: [email protected]
Subject: Exclusive
Lily,
Hey. Sorry it’s been a while since I e-mailed you. Been caught up in a ton of meetings with studio execs. (Wow, that sounded pompous . . . I didn’t mean it like that!)
Actually, that’s what I wanted to talk to you about. There’s something going down, and I want to give you the exclusive on it. I can tell you more about it later this week. An announcement is going to be made on Tuesday, but I’ll go ahead and give you the info and a quote so that you can post it on your site on Monday. But you can’t breathe a word about this until then.
Go ahead and talk it over with your boss. I trust you on this.
DB
Nate had a funny feeling in the pit of his stomach. He couldn’t believe he was even considering this. He trusted Daniel’s judgment but felt that he was prone to being rash at times. While Nate did some research on Lily Richards and FilmInsanity.com, his e-mail program dinged with a new message.
From: [email protected]
Subject: RE: Exclusive
Daniel,
Are you sure? Absolutely certain? I don’t want to infringe. Shouldn’t you be talking to E! or someone like that? I also don’t want your publicist after me . . .
If you think this is best, I’ll let my boss know. But I want you to be sure.
Lily
Nate smirked at her comment about Daniel’s publicist.
Seems my reputation precedes me
, he thought.
Daniel’s reply came a few minutes later.
From: [email protected]
Subject: RE: Exclusive
Lily,
I am absolutely certain. I want you to break this.
Here’s the deal. They’ve given the green light to the next two movies in the series. That’s what the studio will be announcing Tuesday. But I want you to post it on Monday. I’ll give you a quote to use in your story.
I trust you to do this and do it well.
DB
Nate’s reservations hadn’t lessened as he sat at his desk on Wednesday morning. A disapproving frown settled over his features as he reread Daniel’s exchange with Ms. Richards yet again. He had nothing against this girl—he didn’t even know her. But he didn’t trust her—or any woman, for that matter—
not
to use her personal relationships to further her career. And Daniel had handed her a juicy morsel on a silver platter.
He sighed as he began typing.
From: [email protected]
Subject: Story/Daniel Brighton
Ms. Richards,
I hope that you don’t mind me e-mailing you. My name is Nate Brennan, and you may or may not know that I am Daniel Brighton’s publicist.
I wanted to contact you regarding the story Daniel entrusted you with. It is crucial that everything in the story be accurate and that it not be released before Monday, and I would appreciate your reassurance on those two things.
To be honest with you, I have to say that I’m not entirely comfortable with this situation. First, announcements like this typically go to higher-profile news sources, and I’ve worked hard to cultivate those relationships. I’m wary about their reaction to, in essence, being scooped by a small website. Second, you and I have not worked together before, so I am taking Daniel’s word on your trustworthiness. It would be remiss of you to do anything to break that.
Regards,
Nate Brennan, Brennan Publicity
Her response waited for him Thursday morning.
From: [email protected]
Subject: RE: Story
Mr. Brennan,
You have nothing to worry about, I assure you. I have no intention of posting it early. In addition, everything I write is accurate to the best of my ability. This story will be no different. Just so you know, each assignment I take is treated with the highest journalistic standards and ethics.
I realize we have not worked together before, but it should be clear to you that Daniel does trust me, which would seem to indicate that I deserve the benefit of the doubt. Of course I would not do anything to break his trust.
Regards,
Lily Richards
Nate’s eyes widened as he read her e-mail. He was impressed—and more than a little curious about this girl. He hadn’t expected her to give as good as she’d gotten. Now he just had to give her the benefit of the doubt.
Nate checked FilmInsanity.com first thing Monday morning. The story went over the deal in detail and included words from Daniel about how much he was looking forward to portraying Grady again.
About an hour later, he got a text from Daniel.
See? Told you so. Meet at the gym tonight? – D
You were right—this time. See you there at 7 – N
They decided on a game of racquetball. Nate groaned when Daniel suggested it. He always felt at a disadvantage any time they competed athletically. At six feet even, Nate was not quite as tall as Daniel’s six-foot, three-inch frame and a little less muscular. Nate prided himself on staying in shape, but he didn’t have the same pressures to look good on screen that Daniel did. What Nate enjoyed most about working out was a chance to channel some of the frustrations on his shoulders.
“What exactly did you say to Lily Richards?” Daniel asked as he sent the rubber ball flying toward the back of the court.
Nate’s lips twitched with a hint of a grin as he returned the volley. “Ah. She told you about that, huh?”
“Actually, she just said that I had quite a warrior on my side. When I asked what she meant, she told me to talk to you.”
Nate’s brows furrowed. “She said that?”
It was the last thing he expected.
“Yeah, man, she did. So what’s the deal?”
“Um . . . well, I may have demanded her assurances that she would not break the story until she was supposed to and told her that I expected it to be accurate. And I may have also mentioned how uncomfortable I was with the whole arrangement.”
“And why would you do that?” Exasperation colored Daniel’s tone.
A wave of remorse hit Nate. His e-mail had been harsh. But then, Lily Richards was clearly no pushover. Her response had been just as firm as his had been. So he shouldn’t feel guilty, right?
Nate sighed. “Because I don’t know her, man. How was I to know she’d keep her word?”
“Maybe because I said so.” He directed a pointed stare at Nate. “Listen, I appreciate you looking out for me. But I knew this would be fine. It helped her, and it drummed up some buzz. No harm, no foul.”
“Yeah, you’re right.” It pained Nate to say it, but it was true.
“Look, I get your reservations about Lily. But you should have at least trusted me.”
Nate sent another volley toward the back of the court. “This wasn’t about you. It was about her. Most women would have taken that opportunity to give their careers a little boost.”
Daniel shook his head. “Maybe you shouldn’t assume the worst about people.”
Nate glanced up at Daniel with a serious expression. “Perhaps. But it’s my job to assume the worst and prepare for it.”
They continued the game. Nate’s lingering aggression led him to a win.
Chapter Nine
It was no surprise to Lily that
Borderlines
was, without question, the year’s summer blockbuster. Released right before the Fourth of July holiday, it brought in hundreds of millions of dollars and even garnered the praise of Hollywood execs and film critics alike. What did surprise her was that she, of all people, had gotten the scoop on announcing the film’s two sequels.
It still caught Lily off guard every now and then that she had this e-mail relationship—if that’s what it was—with the hottest actor in the world, both in terms of looks and the number of scripts studios sent his way. Part of her was sure he saw her as a distraction. Her simple, little life an amusement when compared to the often sensational one he led. The mundane experiences of her everyday life must seem boring to someone who, literally, partied with rock stars.
Lily hadn’t expected the huge response to her short story. Several news outlets picked it up, and it surprised and delighted Lily to hear her name mentioned by the biggest entertainment news sources in the business. The number of page views—eighty thousand in less than twenty-four hours—thrilled Devon.
Lily heard nothing else from Nate. It irritated her that someone she’d never met could think so little of her. She realized he had no reason to trust her. On the other hand, he had no reason to distrust her either. She couldn’t help but wonder if he treated all members of the media he had yet to encounter that way.
But Lily did hear from the person she wanted to.
From: [email protected]
Subject: RE: Exclusive
Lily,
Thank you. Your way with words continues to impress me. I hope the story gave you guys a bump.
Oh, and P.S. Don’t worry about Nate. His bark is much bigger than his bite.
How are things?
DB
From: [email protected]
Subject: RE: Exclusive
Daniel,
I should be the one thanking you. It means a lot that you’d trust this to me. And we did get a bump from it. You’re quite the popular guy!
As far as Mr. Brennan goes, I’m sure you’re right. It must be comforting to have someone standing up for you like that.
Things are good here, and I hope they are for you, too. Take care!
Lily
She decided this warranted a night out with her girls. Not only did she want to celebrate her latest scoop, but she also felt the need to dance off the lingering irritation she held toward Daniel’s publicist.
Maggie and Colette showed up at Lily’s apartment at seven o’clock Saturday night. Lily made a quick dinner for them—homemade gluten-free pizza to help absorb all the drinks they would have later on—and then they gathered in her bathroom to primp for the night.
A couple of hours later, Lily felt no pain as she sipped her second vodka cranberry. She grinned at her friends as the DJ started to spin
Pride
.
“You know what? I am proud. I’m proud that my story did so well and that I was the one to break it. And I’m proud that I held my own with Daniel’s publicist.”
“You should be proud! And from what you said, that publicist guy seems incredibly rude,” Colette said.
“Right?” Lily nodded in agreement. “I mean—I understand where he’s coming from, but he didn’t have to be such a jerk about it.”
“Forget about him, Lil,” Maggie said. “Daniel liked it, and that’s what’s important.”
Lily nodded in agreement. She closed her eyes and let the sounds of the Charlatans’
Beautiful Friend
wash over her. A smile tugged at her lips.
By December, Daniel was promoting the DVD release of
Borderlines
, which included some commercials and a few television appearances—the usual morning news shows and one late-night television booking. It wasn’t the load he carried when the film came out, but he had to travel to New York City for a couple of days for those morning shows, which made Lily reminisce over her own trek to the city for his play almost a year ago.