“Tonight, I came to see you with one purpose—to get you back to my side, where I thought you belonged. And then I realised it was too late. You were gone the second you got the first quote out of the world’s most reclusive designer.”
Belonged? Elena thought Maddie belonged with her? Hope warred with regret. Elena didn’t mean it like that, but still…
“I don’t have to go.” Maddie scrambled to ground her thoughts. “I mean, I have options now, yes. But, I mean, I could…”
“Madeleine,” Elena said, tone stern, “we agreed to no lies. Why did you become my assistant in the first place? And don’t tell me it was for my excellent company and superb people skills.”
“I wanted to come home.”
“Yes, I’m well aware. But why else? Because they do have flights rather often between New York and Sydney.”
“It’s like you said, it was a face-saving way to do it,” Maddie admitted. “And it looks good on the résumé saying I’m your personal assistant.”
“Madeleine.” Elena’s voice brooked no arguments…or lies.
“Okay.” Maddie exhaled. “I also hoped you’d write me a nice reference. I know it was wishful thinking, since you rarely do, but…once upon a time we were almost friends. And I thought if you didn’t entirely hate me when we parted ways, you might write me one.”
“Of course,” Elena said with a nod. “All my PAs have that vain hope. But why? Why did you want my reference?”
“To get a job anywhere in journalism I wanted. Your name has that power. A reference from you could open so many doors.”
“Exactly.” Elena gave her a triumphant look. “Congratulations, Madeleine. You are the first employee I have ever said this to—you don’t need my recommendation, and you don’t need me.”
A denial coated Maddie’s tongue, but she held it back as she thought about what Elena had said. Was she right? Well. Yes. Maddie had already “gone”. Who writes a world exclusive, then goes back to being an assistant?
The realisation was sharp and awful. She’d wanted another journalism job, sure; that had always been the plan, but she hadn’t even been looking. Because the thought of no longer seeing Elena filled her with pain. Whatever happened next, this would all soon be over.
“Yes,” Elena said quietly. “Now you see.”
Maddie didn’t reply. It now felt so real. Leaving Elena. She ran her fingers through Oscar’s fur, as she thought about that.
Elena’s gaze tracked to below the kitchen island, to her dog which Maddie had somehow appropriated. “Well. I see I’m not the only one who appreciates your charms.”
Maddie tried to smile, but her sadness was overwhelming. No more Elena.
Oscar lost interest, slid his head off her thigh, and padded out of the kitchen.
Placing some paperwork and a pen in front of Maddie, Elena said, “Feel free to get a lawyer to look those over. I advise you not to take too long. We have only twenty-four hours to redo twelve pages of Style magazines all around the world. The more time we have, the better. And I won’t lie to you: it will be a brutal twenty-four hours.”
Maddie looked at the paperwork. She’d seen it before. Quite often in her PA job. It was a standard two-page freelancer contract. Everyone signed them. They were fair, or so the writers would often tell her when she’d gotten to talking to them. Fairer than a lot of publications, they told her.
Maddie read the contract in detail and turned to the back page. There, in Elena’s florid handwriting, were the words: Madeleine Grey has final right of approval on the last draft of her story.
Maddie picked up the pen.
“Are you sure?” Elena asked. Something about the way she said it made Maddie pause and really look at her. Excitement flashed in her eyes. Hunger. She’d seen that before in her boss. Every time she nailed down some big business deal, Elena glowed. But there was something else, too. A faint hint of…regret? Was it possible her demanding boss would also miss her a little?
Maddie remembered the odd frisson they sometimes had in New York. She’d sometimes catch a head tilt and a directed gaze that made Maddie’s stomach feel so odd. She’d felt Elena’s gaze on her in Sydney, too, more fleeting and guarded, not the way it had been. Not as it was right now. Right now, Elena’s eyes seemed to bore into her—fascinated, alert, and encompassing. Waiting. Watching.
I’ll miss you, too.
Maddie gave herself a mental shake. She was obviously imagining things. Of course she was. Why would Elena miss a lowly assistant? Especially one she’d fired fifteen hours ago while in complete bitch mode. Not to mention one she’d fired a few months before that. No, Elena Bartell would miss nothing but efficiently delivered chai lattes.
Non-fat milk, no sugar, extra hot, her brain supplied helpfully.
She almost laughed out loud, feeling slightly hysterical. Instead Maddie looked down, scanned the contract again. Nodded once.
And signed.
CHAPTER 20
Cheers
A celebration was in order. Elena cracked a rare and stunning bottle of claret, the likes of which had never danced across Maddie’s palate before.
“God, this is delicious,” Maddie said. “I think you may have put me off wine for life because it’ll never be this good again.”
Elena smiled. “Well then, I have done you a disservice. A good wine is like a good story—you have to be hoping for an even better one just around the corner. I’d hate for you to give up, now you’ve had a taste of it.”
Maddie appreciated the conspiratorial purr to her tone. The intimacy of it reminded Maddie of their conversations back in New York. When Elena was relaxed, she would shoot her an interested look, as though she had all the time to discuss anything in the world. And right now, Elena seemed to want to discuss Maddie.
It was a heady feeling, being in the laser-like glare of Elena Bartell’s focus. Part of Maddie wished they could stay frozen in this moment forever. Would this be their last real conversation? Maddie’s only chance to connect with her, away from some party or event, before they never spoke again? Her heart gave a pained clench.
Maddie’s voice was warm and low as she replied, “We’re not still talking about wine, are we?”
“No.” Elena smiled and swirled her wine around her glass. “I trust you’ll keep striving to be a better journalist, despite starting your career with an international exclusive.”
“Of course.” Maddie grinned. “This is only the start.”
