Between the Sheets (9781476775807) Read Online Free PDF Page B

house. Eight years later, M&M Publishing has rapidly become a force to be reckoned with in the publishing industry, becoming the home of many major bestselling authors. And as a result, in 2013, I was presented with the prestigious Matrix Award, a Tiffany medallion, from the New York Women in Communications for excellence in publishing.
    I run a manicured hand through my hair, lifting my shades up and resting them on top of my head. The wall behind Shayla’s desk is a waterfall with sparkling sheets of chlorinated water splashing endlessly down into a basin filled with shimmering rocks. I glance at my timepiece, then look over toward the waiting area. “ Already? It’s only ten.”
    She shrugs, pushing a curtain of blonde-colored hair from her high cheekbones. “He said he didn’t want to be late.” She picks up a stack of phone messages and hands them to me. “Oh. And a Miss Lollipop Lipz called and asked for you to call her on her cell.”
    I frown. “What kind of mess? Lollipop Lips ? I don’t know anyone by that name.”
    She snickers. “She said you might say that. She also mentioned something about a manuscript she sent over by Express mail for you to look at. She called it Cum Stains .”
    â€œOh, hell no. I’m not interested in anything titled Cum Stains written by some woman who goes by a slutty name like Lollipop Lips. No thank you.”
    Shayla gives me a knowing look. “If you ask me, she sounded like a real nut. No pun intended. And it’s Lipz with a Zee , not an Ess .”
    I raise a brow. “Well, the next time Miss Lipz with a Zee calls, you can tell her we’re not interested in anything with cum stains on it. And we’re no longer taking submissions.”
    I gather my things to head toward my office overlooking Times Square.
    â€œOh, and one more thing,” she says.
    I turn to look at her. “Yes?”
    â€œShe said she hopes you have”—she lowers her voice—“two bottles of Sweet Bitch on ice for her.”
    I blink.
    It takes a second for it to register before I burst into laughter. Sweet Bitch is the favorite wine of my friend and line sister Jasmine. We’ve been best friends since kindergarten, more like sisters. And there’s not one secret we haven’t shared with the other. Well, okay. Maybe there’s one or two that I haven’t shared.
    â€œThat fool.” I wave Shayla on. “I can’t with her.”
    She looks at me inquisitively. “I take it you know her?”
    I nod, wondering why she hadn’t called me on my cell. “Unfortunately, yes. And, you’re right. She is a nut.”
    She shakes her head, then says as I walk away, “Good luck with that.”
    I chuckle, quickly making my way down the corridor, passing walls lined with framed book covers, autographed author headshots, plaques, and awards. Reaching the end of the corridor, I swipe my laminated ID through the silver card slot, wait for another set of glass doors to slide open, then walk through.
    The doors hiss shut behind me.
    I turn down another corridor, passing a nest of sleek glass cubicles, then step into my spacious, 1,250 square-foot office with a huge window, Calacatta marble flooring, built-in bookshelves, and a marble-and-steel wet bar over in the far-right corner. On the other side of my office near the window overlooking the New York skyline, there’s a plush white leather sofa and two matching chairs and a French vintage gold leaf coffee table.
    I smile taking in my sophisticated, yet chic, office. Many years ago, I was a girl with a dream and a plan armed with a degree. Now here I stand. A woman with the kind of life and career most can only dare dream about. And I have a husband, a partner, who loves and supports me in everything I do. Sometimes I feel like I’m living in a fairytale. It feels so surreal.
    I have to pinch myself to make sure I’m still breathing,