The Publicist (22 page)

“Mac, I hate to be rude but I promised Nick a tour and then we need to go.”

He nodded, “Sure, Nick, it was nice to meet you.” He nodded in Nick’s direction and though Mac tried to sound authentic, Kate knew he didn’t mean a word of it.

Mac stood in front of the window of his apartment, watching the masses below and fighting off the urge to call or text her. She had every right, and the man just lost his uncle. Kate and Nick certainly had that loss in common. That was probably all it was. Still. There was something else he couldn’t quite put his finger on. This was getting entirely too personal for Mac’s taste. But he was powerless to stop it, or rather, he just didn’t want to. Mac was used to living dangerously. He negotiated with himself that he could walk away whenever he wanted; though he knew it was a lie. He craved Kate with every fiber in his body. Her voice, her smile, her touch.

“Fuck,” he muttered to no one and poured himself another drink.

.

Chapter Thirty-Nine

“Kate, I have to tell you, it’s meant the world to me to have you here.” Nick had walked her back to her apartment. The night air was freezing but they were both bundled up and the restaurant wasn’t far. He reached for her gloved hand and held it gently.

“I’m just sorry this happened, we both loved your uncle. It’s such a sad thing.”

Nick nodded, “It is. It’s also awkward.”

Kate turned to him, “How so?”

“You’ve been so helpful with the funeral and…” Nick hesitated, considering his next words carefully, “I really like you, Kate.” Nick looked deep into her eyes, Kate felt rooted in the sidewalk. Nick leaned into her and pressed his lips to hers. His kiss was tender and sexy, it fit him entirely well. The kiss lasted longer than she’d expected. His tongue pushed against her lips, gently caressing them. She could feel his body pressing against her. Slowly he pulled away, for a moment she felt a core of desire swirl inside her.

“Goodnight, Kate,” he whispered, and then walked off.

.

Chapter Forty

“What do you mean she’s not coming to New York?” Mac was getting impatient, “I came back from my trip to see Saundra and now she’s not coming in. What the hell?”

Saundra’s assistant was firm, but polite, “I’m sorry, Mr. Ellis, but Saundra had a personal issue come up. She promised to be in next week. I’ve had her flights moved.”

Mac sighed, “She’d better. Her book launches the second week in January, remind her of that. I need her here.”

“She’ll be there. I will send her updated itinerary as soon as I have it.”

Mac dropped the phone. He was so pissed off. He had planned meetings for Saundra and a photo shoot that Kate had coordinated. All of it had to be moved.

“How was your date? What a hunk!” Lulu’s lyrical voice met Kate when she entered the office. She could see Mac in his office, within earshot.

“It wasn’t a date, Lu. That’s Allan’s nephew.” Kate wanted to keep moving, but her assistant handed her some paperwork, “For your signature, Kate.” She looked at the stack, ad approvals for Isla.

“I’m sorry, but it was still dinner, right? He looks just like Matthew McConaughey!”

‘That’s it!’
Kate thought, now she knew who Nick reminded her of. Leave it to Lulu to put a celebrity name to the face.

Pete came into the office, his red hair disheveled from the cold, biting winter wind. “Morning, girls, what are we talking about?”

Like most people in the office, Lulu didn’t care for Pete, “Nothing,” she said and turned her attention back to Kate. Pete shrugged and walked to his cube.

“Are you two an item?” Lulu’s blue eyes were huge, “Does he have a brother? Oh my God he’s such a hottie and he’s so tanned and that blond hair!” Lulu wouldn’t stop. Kate was starting to feel embarrassed. She caught Mac watching now, like everyone else.

“Lu,” Kate almost whispered, “let’s have this talk in private.”

Lulu nodded, “I forgot, Kate, sorry.”

Kate smiled and headed to her office. What a show. She wasn’t sure how she felt about Mac hearing Lulu’s gushing about Nick. It hadn’t been intentional, but it had been awkward. Kate thought of Nick. His kiss at the end of the night that had left her tossing and turning for an hour. She knew she was starting to care for Nick, too. But he was leaving soon, back to California.

“Expiration dating, it’s what I’m good at,” she said aloud.

“Excuse me?” Mac stood in her doorway, filling it with his frame. She fought the urge to tell him Nick was nothing, just a date. But she knew it wasn’t true, and wasn’t necessary. Mac couldn’t possibly be surprised. Could he?

Kate fumbled with the papers Lulu had given her, “Nothing.” she sat down, “What’s up?”

Mac smiled, she was glad she was seated, her knees felt weak, “Dinner. I would love to take you to dinner tonight. We haven’t spent time together since I’ve been back.”

Kate nodded, “Sure, I’d love that.”

Mac left, feeling oddly awkward. There was a new dynamic between them. Probably because there was a new man. Mac knew enough about the dynamics of courtship to know that Nick liked Kate. He wondered if Kate returned his feelings.

The waitress took their order and quietly faded into the background. Mac sipped his wine and watched Kate unfold her napkin.

“So tell me about Nick,” Mac was almost surprised that he dove right into the inquisition. He’d intended to be more subtle, but somehow he didn’t have the patience for subtlety right now.

Kate shrugged, remembering Nick’s kiss and feeling a thread of guilt weave through her mind. “He’s Allan’s nephew, nice guy. Runs an organic shop in California.”

“When’s he going back?” Mac asked. Kate smiled. Mac’s jealously was transparent.

“Next week, I think,” she responded.

“You know, you’re free to date whomever you want.” Mac’s words did not match the feeling in his eyes.

“We’re not dating, Mac.” Kate wasn’t entirely sure that was true, but for whatever reason, she didn’t want to share her uncertainty with Mac.

Mac wanted to reach across the table and hold her hand, or caress her cheek but he didn’t. He couldn’t. If Nick was here he could have, Mac hated that it made him want to punch someone. Preferably Nick.

Later at Mac’s apartment, he took great care to explore every inch of her body in a way he hadn’t before. There was an urgency to show her what he was not able to express. He kissed and sucked on her nipples and then dipped two fingers inside her, bringing her to one rocketing orgasm after another. Then, when she was almost totally exhausted, he held her eyes, kissed her gently and slid himself inside her gently rocking her back and forth. He waited till she came again to release himself and when he did, Kate could have sworn he heard a hushed “I love you” escape his lips. But she wasn’t sure and did not ask. Maybe she had just heard her own words echoing in her head.

.

Chapter Forty-One

Allan Lavigne’s funeral was held at the Central Synagogue at Lexington and 55
^th
Street at ten a.m. The synagogue was filled with mourners, including just about everyone from MD. Mac sat near Kate, but not beside her. She was seated in the family row, next to Nick. It did not escape Mac’s eyes that Nick held her hand the entire time.

Kate got up and gave the eulogy; Mac watched her and realized she’d never looked more beautiful, or more fragile. For a moment he toyed with the idea of not spending time with his family over Christmas and staying here, instead. He knew that was not only impossible, but it would really hurt his sons. He couldn’t do that. There it was again, the choices he made or didn’t make, as the case may be.

After the funeral there was a small gathering at a local Irish pub Allan loved and where he told Kate he’d written
The Fall
. There were about seventy-five people there, including several publishing folk, Allan’s agent, and Mac.

“It’s so lovely that he had such a good friend in you, Kate,” someone said to her. Kate had no idea who she was. Nick was nearby and put an arm around her shoulders.

“Hi,” he smiled, “I’m Allan’s nephew, Nicholas Lavigne.”

She held her hand out, “I lived in the building for years, before my husband and I moved out to Westchester, Linda Fort.”

“Linda, nice to meet you and thanks for coming. I think Uncle Allan would have been surprised that so many people showed up. He never thought he made an impact on the world.”

Linda shook her head, “Ridiculous to think that, isn’t it? Especially after his book, which I started reading again the other day. I’m so sorry he never wrote again.”

“I am, too. What a legacy that would have been,” Nick agreed.

From the other side of the pub, Mac watched them both. He didn’t like where this seemed to be headed, but there wasn’t much he could do to prevent it. Katie was a smart, beautiful, savvy single woman who should be dating someone who could give her more than evenings in bed or dinners in remote restaurants. The woman Kate had been talking to left and Nick whispered something to her then walked off. He headed over.

“Kate, I’d love to see you after this.”

Kate was startled to see him beside her, “Hi Mac, it was nice of you to come and stay as long as you have.”

“Allan made MD what it is; I wish Edward had remembered that.”

“At least he showed up for the funeral.”

Mac’s lips formed a straight line, “It’s not the point, he should have done more, gotten up and said a few words, something. He’s probably just pissed now that he spent so much money trying to find a way to get out of Allan’s contract.” Kate’s face fell.

“I’m sorry, Katie, that was insensitive.”

“No, you’re right. He’s the insensitive one. Thanks again, Mac.”

“I’d love to see you tonight, Kate. I leave in the morning….”

She wanted to see Mac, too. But she didn’t want to leave Nick alone. “I’d love to, Mac, but Nick. He’s alone in the city and today was his uncle’s funeral. I really think I should stick around.”

Mac felt his throat tighten, “Sure. Of course. Then I guess I’ll see you after the holidays.” His voice lowered, “Merry Christmas, Katie.” For a moment they both remembered the first time he’d said that to her, it was the night he kissed her in Battery Park. She wanted to reach up and grab him and kiss him. But of course, she couldn’t.