He'd held her close and they'd made so many plans, so many promises. She'd loved him fiercely, and she'd believed that he felt the same. A wild, protective love that shone so bright it could cut through any darkness and heal any pain.

And then everything had shattered.

Richie. Her father. And, of course, Brian.

Oh, God, Brian. She fought a shudder of revulsion and wished that she'd never allowed that vile name into her head.

He was the other reason Brooke hadn't watched Spencer's show. It brought back too many memories of the years when the three of them had been friends. Yes, it hurt to see Spence. But the memories of Brian made her curl up into a useless ball of pain and self-loathing.

"Okay, I get it," Amanda said as she added some wasabi to her soy sauce. "Spencer's show was super popular, and they think he'll bring in the sponsors." Amanda pointed a chopstick at Brooke. "But if he's retired from television, what makes them think he'll do it?"

"The producers told me he still owes them a show. Under his last contract, I mean. So they want him to be on The Business Plan with me. They say it's the perfect vehicle."

"Well, then what's the problem? I mean, if he has to do a show to satisfy his contract, why not do this one? And having him can only help your show, right? I'm not seeing the issue."

Brooke had leaned back in her chair, then stared her friend down. "Because if he refuses, then there is no show. They were very clear. No Spencer Dean, no The Business Plan. I'm blonde and perky and camera-friendly--"

"They did not say that!"

"Pretty much. But they also said I'm no Spencer Dean. I'm not tried and true. I'm not popular. And I'm not getting the show without him."

"I still don't see why you're worried. He owes them a show anyway. Why wouldn't he do the season with you?"

"I can think of a lot of reasons," Brooke admitted. "But the biggest is probably that we used to be engaged."

Chapter Three

Don't worry about the Spencer part yet. Just lock in The Fix.

Amanda's parting words played like a mantra through Brooke's head all through her meeting with Jenna. And apparently the mantra worked, because before she knew it, Jenna held out her hand. "The Fix is totally in."

"That's wonderful," Brooke said, hoping her palms weren't sweating with nerves. "You won't regret it."

"I know I won't, and I'm so excited to be working with you. And the show is fabulous. Absolutely perfect for what we're trying to accomplish, and nothing I could have arranged myself. You're pretty much my favorite person right now."

Brooke laughed. "Trust me. The feeling is mutual." And, hopefully, Jenna wouldn't change her mind about Brooke if the whole thing fell through. Which it might. Because Spencer was still a great big question mark. Not that Jenna knew that, because Brooke had taken the coward's way out and told Jenna that the show was exactly the kind of project Spencer Dean was looking for.

It was a flat-out lie, but Brooke needed this opportunity too much to feel any guilt.

"You'll get the green light from the network as soon as Spencer Dean confirms that he's on board?" Jenna asked, as if she'd been reading Brooke's mind. "And you're pretty confident he's in?"

"Are you kidding?" Brooke waved her hand, copying Amanda's dismissive gesture. "I'm already starting prep."

"Great." Jenna pushed back from the table. "Drinks and appetizers are on the house tonight. I hope you stay for a while and enjoy yourself."

"Thanks. I will. Oh, there's Amanda."

Both women waved, then headed over to their mutual friend.

"You two look positively perky. Guess I can add match-making to my list of amazing skills."

"You can," Jenna said. "And because you're so awesome, I'll tell you what I told Brooke--drinks and appetizers on the house tonight."

"And that's why I love you," Amanda said. "Come on, Brooke. Let me introduce you to a Jalapeno Margarita. Trust me, these things are fucking amazing. Are you off?" she added to Jenna. "Want to join?"

"With only about a week before we launch the calendar contest? I'm pretty much on twenty-four seven. Thanks, though. You guys have fun."

As Jenna headed toward the back of the room, Amanda led Brooke to two seats that had opened up at the crowded oak bar.

Tags: J. Kenner Man of the Month Romance
Source: readsnovelonline.net