Falling out of Hate with You: Hate - Love Duet Book One by Rowe, Lauren (novel books to read txt) 📕

Daria shakes her head. “I’m sorry, honey. If they fire Savage, I’m sure they’ll replace him with some other heartthrob. On your own, your platform simply isn’t big enough yet. But with Savage, you’re in the cat’s seat. So let’s agree to help Savage keep his seat at the judges’ table . . . as long as he agrees to help you get a seat right next to his.”

I gasp. “At the judges’ table? Not as his mentor?”

“Correct. For the entire season. With a salary to match.”

I’m reeling. Losing my mind. “You really think that’s possible?”

“It’s a long shot, so don’t get too excited. But it’s worth a try. My gut tells me Savage is desperate, and the producers are frothing at the mouth. So, let’s see if we can exploit all of it to your advantage.”

I look out the floor-to-ceiling window of Daria’s office at the glamorous hustle-bustle of Beverly Hills for a moment, trying to collect myself. And when I finally return to my agent, I can’t hide it. I’m excited. “Okay,” I say on an exhale. “Let’s give it a try.”

As Daria whoops, a buzzing noise rises up from the intercom on her desk, followed by a male voice announcing, “Ms. Brown, Eli McKenzie and his client are here to see you.”

A demonic smirk lifts one half of Daria’s mouth. “Keep a poker face at all times. If I say something blatantly false, nod your head subtly and roll with it.”

“Got it.”

Daria presses a button on the intercom with her long fingernail and says sweetly, “Thank you, Hunter. Please, escort my guests to my office.” She winks at me. “We’re ready for them.”

Twenty-Three

Savage

The office door opens and a striking Black woman I vaguely recognize is standing before Eli and me. She says hello to Eli, whom she clearly already knows, and introduces herself to me as Daria Brown, before leading us into her elegant office.

We follow Daria into the spacious room and find Laila sitting in a corner, her body language in her armchair like she owns the place.

When Eli and I reach Laila, she doesn’t stand. Eli greets Laila with a handshake, but I don’t bother extending my hand. She won’t take it, anyway.

“Hello, Fitzy,” I say, as I take a seat next to Eli on a small couch.

“Hello, Adrian,” she replies stiffly.

“You’re looking well,” I say, leaning back and spreading my legs slightly. It’s an understatement. Every time I see this woman, she hits me like a ton of bricks. I add, “As always.”

“Thank you. So are you.” She smirks. “As always.”

I don’t know how Laila does it. Her words were complimentary, like mine, but her tone somehow transformed them into a dig. But that’s Laila for you. A master at throwing shade that gives you whiplash.

“Sorry we’re a bit late,” Eli says, eliciting a barely audible scoff from Laila—one that conveys she’s not the least bit surprised. Eli pauses, briefly, at Laila’s interruption, before adding, “A couple paparazzi were waiting for Savage as we left his hotel. So, we took the long way around, to be on the safe side.”

Laila’s blue eyes are fixed on mine now, so I flash her a look regarding Eli’s explanation that says, See? This time, it wasn’t my fault.

In reply, Laila shoots me a look that says, I don’t believe it for a second.

And in reply to that, I roll my eyes and look away.

Daria, the agent, says, “It was the right call to play it safe. If we’re successful in putting together a deal, we wouldn’t want anyone knowing about this backdoor meeting.”

“Exactly my thoughts,” Eli says.

“There’s no need to apologize for being late,” Laila says sweetly. But when she shifts her gaze back to me, her expression turns snarky. “I was on tour with Savage for three months, remember? I never expected him to be on time for this meeting, in the first place.”

Eli chuckles at Laila’s dig, while I exhale and shake my head.

“Well, this is gonna be fun,” I mutter.

Daria clears her throat. “Why don’t we get down to business, fellas.” She leans back in her armchair and crosses her legs. “You gentlemen requested this meeting, so go ahead and make your pitch to Laila as to why she should do this huge favor for Savage.”

“Oh, it wouldn’t be a favor for Savage,” Eli insists. “Like I said on the phone, this would be Savage doing a huge favor for Laila. He knows how much this would help her career, and—”

“Cut the bullshit,” Daria snaps, jerking forward. “Nadine told me everything, on the down low, so let’s skip ahead to the part where you try to convince Laila to save Savage’s ass from getting shit-canned.”

I can’t believe my ears. Eli swore Laila would never know I need her to save my job! My jaw hanging open and my eyes bugging out, I look at Eli, as if to say, Can you believe Nadine ratted me out? And, instantly, I know I’ve screwed up when Laila’s agent across from me blurts, “I knew it!” while pointing at my face.

“Goddammit, Savage,” Eli says, shooting me a murderous glare. “I told you to maintain a poker face at all times.”

I look down. Shit. He totally did.

Laila chuckles. But I’m too pissed to look up at her. Fuck.

Daria says, “It’s time to put your cards on the table, Eli. Savage messed up last night and, now, his ass is in a sling. The question is: what is Savage willing to do for Laila to save himself?”

Eli leans back. “Savage doesn’t need to do a goddamned thing for Laila. This opportunity is way too big for her to pass up. Savage could walk away from this show and still have a monster career that’s ten times bigger than Laila’s. I’m sorry, Laila, but it’s true. This opportunity would be a game-changer for you. You need to be smart.”

“Don’t address my client directly, please,” Daria says. “Especially not to condescendingly tell her to