December 17, 2013

The Biz

I hung up with Nance and texted Nina back, Who is the girl?

Don't know. But I've seen Sam on Facebook and it is not Sam. And it certainly isn't his sister unless she's some kind of Angelina Jolie sicko. 

I stared at my phone in my lap, just processing the news. The idea of Richard kissing another girl made me feel nauseous. Not because I wanted to be her, but because I thought Richard was better than that. It never bothered me that Richard played around in the past—yes, it kept me from taking him seriously when he told me how he felt over the summer, but there's nothing wrong with living it up when you're single. But going out on a date with another girl after professing your love for your girlfriend—that takes planning. It's premeditated. Calculated. That's what was making me feel sick. It was like the guy I was starting to have feelings for wasn't the guy I thought I knew.

Of course I was dying to call him on it, to hear what he had to say for himself, but it would be some stage five psycho behavior to text Richard right that second and confront him about something that wasn't even any of my business. No, I had to play this right, which meant going home, getting into bed, and sleeping on it. Between my dinner with William and this news about Richard, my brain had been overloaded with information over the last few hours. I needed to just sit and marinate on everything before doing anything—if I did anything at all.

The next morning, someone from CWA's HR emailed me about setting up an interview. She was nice enough to give me the earliest time time she had, which was still later than when I get in to work, but could easily be explained away by a 'lady's doctor's appointment'. Frank wouldn't touch that. Being a girl is convenient sometimes.

I was sitting in the sprawling marble lobby, waiting for Molly, the HR rep, when the doors opened and a glamorous woman flanked by two slick men in suits swept through the room. She was quickly ushered back to the office, but not so quickly that I didn't catch a glimpse of her face.

There was an older gentleman (some men just look like gentlemen and scholars, I don't know how else to explain it) waiting with me in the lobby, and he turned to me. "Was that Catherine Zeta Jones?"

"Pretty sure it was."

He laughed. "How cool."

A few minutes later, this gangly hipster kid appeared at reception. He approached me, timidly, squinting at me more intensely with every step. He was still a few feet away when he squeaked, "Catherine?"

I did that thing where you look to your left and right, to see if the person is speaking to you or someone else. He was definitely speaking to me. I pointed at myself. "No, Josie."

"Oh!" He covered his mouth. "Sorry, I don't have my glasses on and the last time I saw her she had blond hair." He looked me over again. "Yeah, wow, you're definitely not her. I'm so sorry about that."

"It's fine," I snapped. We get it, buddy, you mistook me for a posh movie star because of the color of my hair and then you saw my face and realized what a huge mistake that was.

"I really need to find my glasses," the guy muttered, one final insult, as he disappeared down the hallway again.

"That was hysterical!" My lobby neighbor laughed, slapping his knees giddily. "That kid must have really bad eyes or something. He actually thought you were"—

"I get it."

"Josie?"

I stood. Molly was standing where my vision impaired friend just had been, holding the door to the office open. "Come on back."

We chit-chatted for a little bit—I'd done my homework and raved about what a coup it was that the company had recently poached three major talent agents from another top agency. "It wasn't that hard to convince them to come over," Molly said. "We are CWA." Well, excuuuuse me.

Molly went on to describe CWA's 'unique' company culture. "This agency was founded in the 80s by three agents, all rising stars at the most prestigious agency in the country—well, at the time." Molly smiled, wistfully. Like what she was about to tell me was one of her fondest memories even though she must have been about ten years old at the time. "They picked up in the middle of the night and brought all their clients with them. And everyone said they would fail because they didn't have any financial backing. But they didn't fail."

"No," I said, reverently, "they definitely didn't."

"Within ten years, they had crushed their competition." Molly made a fist and bared her teeth. I could tell she wanted me to laugh, so I did. "And you know how they did that?"

I scooted to the edge of my seat, like I was so enrapt in her story I couldn't stand it. "How?"

"They followed one simple rule, and it is a rule that this entire company follows today."

Okay, now I really was intrigued. "What is it?"

"Be good to each other and good things will happen."

Off my impressed look, she continued, "We also believe that you should never call out before you call in. The goal at CWA is to package our clients, to make them as successful in as many mediums as possible. So even though, say, Katy Perry's point agent is in music, he will work with our TV department when she wants to do TV, and the literary department when she wants to write a book. Before any deal is made, before any deal is even discussed with the outside world, you place a call to any of your colleagues who may be involved. We don't go out, until we're all in."

"Strength in numbers," I said.

Molly beamed. "Exactly. When you join this company, you are not just joining a company. You are joining a family." She smiled. "A talented, driven, innovative family. I know it sounds like a cult or something, but there is truly nowhere else you want to work. If you come here, and you put your mind to it, we have the tools to make you more successful and fulfilled than you ever dreamed of."

Molly let that last sentence hang in the air. I made a big show of turning it over in my mind, giving it great consideration.

"So!" Molly barked, abruptly. "We can offer you a 60K base, and that won't include your bonus."

"How much would my bonus be?"

"It's something that is discussed by the partners at the year's end, depending on how much business you bring in. There is no hard and fast number I can give you."

"But, ballpark."

"There is no ballpark." She narrowed her eyes at me. "There is such a wide variation from year to year. But the base for a CWA assistant is the highest of any agency—or publishing house, for that matter." She gave me a pointed look. The message was: I know what you make, and I know this is more than that, so don't try to play me.

I took a deep breath. ("Do not accept their first offer," Nance said. "Do you think a man ever accepts a first offer? No! They expect you to negotiate. It will hurt you if you don't."). "It's a very generous base," I said. "But I am doing really well at Literatti, and they are very happy with my performance there. I see a real future for myself at that company, so for me to leave, it would have to be for something closer to 80K."

Molly let me squirm in her silence for a bit. Just when I was sure I'd blown the whole thing, asked for too much, she said, "That's closer to the salary of an agent-in-training. But William speaks the world of you, so I think we could work with 75."

I did a little mental victory dance.

The interview lasted for over two hours. After Molly, I met with Nathaniel, also in HR. Then I met Elspeth, the Lit Coordinator for the NY office. All of them raved about CWA in a way I'd never heard anyone rave about a company before. They leapt out of bed in the morning to get to work. Their co-workers were inspiring. CWA truly promoted a sense of community, as opposed to the every-man-for-himself mentality that so many other agencies are infamous for. The company encourages volunteer work and partakes in all kind of notable programs to fund theatre and arts in local NYC high schools. When I looked around the office, I saw tons of assistants my age who appeared genuinely engaged in their work. William tracked me down at one point and made one of his corny jokes I love to hate so much. By the time I left, my mind was made up: If CWA offered me the job, I was going to take it.

I couldn't believe how many emails I had once I left CWA and made my way back over to Literatti, but one stood out right away. It was from Richard, asking me how dinner went with William and if I was going to be following him over to the dark side.

I thought about how to respond to him the entire way back to Literatti. I finally settled on telling him I'd just come from an interview and I really liked the company. 'What are you up to later?' I asked. 'I kind of want to talk to you about something.'

'That doesn't sound good,' came his response. 'But I'm free tonight? Want to grab a drink?'

The day seemed to stretch on forever. Finally, it was time to meet Richard. He was already at the bar when I walked in, rolling a pint of beer in between his hands. He'd ordered me a vodka soda.

"Aw, Richard," I said. "Thanks."

I told him all about the interview and how impressed I'd been by CWA. Richard nodded. "I mean, there's no doubt it's a dynamic company. Great things can happen for your career there. I just didn't think this is what you wanted to do. Be in the biz."

"What is it I want to do?" I asked. "Write? That's a side career. Something I'll have to build on my own anyway. Editing other people's work isn't helping me anymore than selling other people's work will."

"You won't have time to write if you go to CWA," Richard said.

I shrugged. "I don't have time now. At least I'd be on track to make more money. I'm getting to a point in my life where I need to think about my future. I want to make enough money to have security and enjoy my life, not just get by. And it's all on me, because I'm not in New York to get my Mrs. degree."

Richard laughed into his beer. "One hundred bucks that you're married in three years."

I swatted his arm. "No, I won't be. Plus Nance would disown me. She said I better be at least thirty before I even think about getting engaged. "

"Oh my god!" Richard said, cheerleader-perky. "It's like, almost four years away."

I sipped my vodka soda. "It's just I'm realizing there's this like, glass ceiling at a publishing house that very few people break through. Frank did it, but Frank came up in a time when people were hungry for writers. Real writers. It's different now, and CWA gets that. That's why they're making money and Literatti is trying to plug the leak."

Richard nodded. "True." His disposition seemed to shift right in front of my eyes. All of a sudden he was sad, distracted.

I took a chance. "What's up with you? Everything okay?"

He asked the bartender for another beer and ignored the question. "So what did you want to talk to me about?"

I took a deep breath to collect myself. "Well, it's more like I want to ask you something."

Richard leaned forward on his elbows and turned towards me. His eyes raked me up and down. "Ask away, lady."

I decided to just go for it. "Are you cheating on Sam?"

Richard didn't even react. Just kept staring at me so intensely I had to look away. "Who wants to know?"

"Don't avoid the question. Nina saw you and another girl making out at a bar. Are you cheating on Sam?"

"I don't see how it's any of your business." Richard's voice was maddeningly calm. It was exactly the right thing to say to me and exactly the right way to say it if he was trying to get under my skin, which, of course he was.

I gave him a hard look. "What are you doing, Richard?"

"What are you doing, Josie? Coming at me like a fucking jealous girlfriend."

"You know what?" I grabbed my bag. "Forget it."

"Yup!" Richard called after me as I took off. "Run away, princess! Like you always do when you hear something you don't like!"

I shoved the door to the bar open, aware that everyone in the place was staring at me. I stalked down the street, my cheeks burning with embarrassment, desperate for a cab.

I heard Richard behind me before I saw him. "What?" I asked, quietly.

"I broke up with Sam," Richard said.

I turned around. It was so cold that my breath came out in a fantastic white gust. "What? When?"

Richard stared at the ground, like he couldn't bare to see my reaction when he said what he said next. "Right after Thanksgiving."

"Wha—why? Why would you tell me you were in love with her when you weren't even with her?"

"Because I panicked? Okay? I panicked. You didn't seem like you felt the same way when I told you how I felt, and I'm not...I'm just not cut out for this stuff. I'm going to hurt someone."

"Or you'll get hurt," I said.

Richard shrugged his agreement. "Or I'll get hurt." He looked up at me finally.

A cab idled to a stop by my side. The driver beeped and waved for me to get in. "There's your out," Richard said. "Just go home. We can pretend like none of this ever happened." He tilted his head back and laughed into the night. "God! It's embarrassing enough as it is."

"I did feel the same way," I said.

Richard shook his head. "Don't."

"Don't what?"

"Don't say that just to make me feel better."

"I'm not. It's the truth."

The cab beeped again. I waved him on.

Richard wasn't moving, so I took a step towards him. "I don't want this to end badly," Richard said. "But I don't trust myself."

"I'm willing to risk it." I stopped just short of us touching. The next move was going to have to be his.

Richard groaned. "You drive me crazy, you know?"

"And you think you don't? You think I don't see that you go out of your way to push my buttons?"

Richard brought his thumb to the corner of my mouth and smiled. "You make it kinda easy."

I gave him a little shove and he latched onto my wrist. His fingers were like icicles right at the spot where my pulse throbbed. He seemed to move in slow motion as he pulled me close and leaned down. It was the first time we ever kissed where we actually both wanted it, when there was nothing to hold us back. I couldn't get enough.

From inside the bar I heard banging and cheering. We pulled apart and looked behind us. We had an audience watching us from the window, clapping and giving us the thumbs up. When they started chanting, "Make up sex! Make up sex!" Richard grabbed my hand and pulled me down the street.

"Totally never going back there," I laughed.

"We just fucking made their night," Richard said. He slipped his arm around my waist and held his other hand high in the street. A cab grumbled to a still at the curb. Richard opened the door and I climbed in. "65th between 1st and 2nd," he told the driver.

"I don't remember inviting you over," I said.

Richard's hand slipped up the back of my neck, his fingers anchoring in my hair. "Yeah," he said, "you do." The space between our faces narrowed, until we were so close that if the driver were to look in the rearview mirror, he wouldn't be able to tell where I began and where Richard ended.


106 comments:

  1. Yay!! That was perfect!

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  2. ughhh just no Josie (great post though) Richard is the absolute worst.

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  3. omg I know people hate Richard but all I have to say is FINALLY!!!

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  4. oooooohhhhh......HERE WE GO!

    the interview stuff was good too! mum

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  5. yes oh my god !!!!!!!!!!!!!

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  6. <3 <3 <3 probably going to end badly but come on no one can resist the Richard kind! <3 <3 <3 Seriously BEST blog ever! :)

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  7. YES!!!!! I love this post! Richard and Josie always seemed good together :)

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    1. I'm so excited too! He comes off as a jerk sometimes but so does all of Josies guys. She's got a type. And that's not a bad thing, most girls do. I'm so goddamn excited that freaking Peter hasn't been resurrected, he's such a douche who wants Josie to be something she's not. At least Richard knows who she is and who she wants to be peter seems like he never cared. So excited for Josie even of she did break her no boyfriends promise.

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  8. Not feeling Josie and Richard together. What's she going to be, the rebound girl? With the job situation I think Josie is taking the easy way out. Money isn't everything. Her heart is in writing and she's giving that up for money all because Frank want fawning over her idea of a female writer. This post was so well written but I'm disappointed in Josie.

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  9. booooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

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  10. YAYY!!!! I'm so excited Richard and Josie are going to happen. I hope it has a happy ending!

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  11. Horrible writing booooooooooooo..............HORRIBLEEEEEEEEE

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    1. Then stop reading the blog ANONYMOUS. No one makes you keep up with Josie's FICTIONAL life. It's for entertainment. Keep it up Jessica, you're doing a great job.

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    2. This is mean and unecessary. The writing is great. And if you don't like it or don't like what is happening in the story, STOP READING IT! People reading to just leave rude comments is not needed and we would all prefer for you to stop reading or to shut it!
      By the way, this story is amazing!! I love it every Tuesday Thursday

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  12. Oh my god. Can I just say I've been waiting on this FOREVER?! I can't wait until Thursday now!

    Also, I got all excited that you used my name until I found out she's a little bit weird & kind of a bitch. So basically like me.

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  13. Finally! Love Richard and Josie.

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  14. I've never been a big fan of Richard. I've softened up to him, but I just can't bring myself to say that he's this great guy who'd be great for Josie. I just don't think this is going to end good. It upsets me that he claims he's so into Josie, yet right after he breaks it off with Sam, instead of fighting for Josie, he's making out with another girl. Nevertheless, I'm interested in how this will play out. Especially if Josie gets the job and moves to LA. That's going to be one hell of a plotline with this whole Richard thing happening now! Great post Jessica!

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    1. I agree with this. It bothers me that he makes out with another girl right after breaking up with his girlfriend and supposedly being so into Josie. Also, he says that he panicked after he told Josie his feelings and then said that he is in love with Sam, but if you read that post he said he was in love with Sam BEFORE he semi-expressed any feelings for Josie. I say bring back Peter.

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    2. I agree that this seems precarious. Richard himself says he doesn't trust himself and that he is afraid of hurting someone. Not very reassuring. And, frankly, he IS on the rebound and dare I say it SO IS JOSIE. I know Ian behaved like a jerk, but she had feelings for him, was ready to be his girlfriend in fact, and then bounces into Richard's arms. (And it is odd to me, in terms of continuity, that that whole part of the story was ditched as if it never happened.) I know Josie and Richard have a tension/history, but it seems foolhardy to risk their friendship when they are both coming from weird places. Getting back to a friendship after crossing that romantic line is almost impossible. It will be interesting to see where this goes, but if Richard IS a tomcat and Josie goes to LA in the near future, would he stay true to her?

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  15. Whoa! So it's finally happening with Richard. I don't know what to make of this. I wasn't a huge fan of his and he does some dickhead things but I'm kind of looking forward to seeing another side of him. It just seems like Josie has picked yet another guy who is just trouble!
    Hmmm, I wonder what Kate will think of this? Seems like she and Josie barely see each other or talk anymore but I can't help but think Kate will be a little peeved.

    In regard to the job, I think it all sounds too good to be true. Josie, if she goes to work there will hate it. I'm sure it's not all that it seems.

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    1. these were my thoughts as well -- it's finally happening and i don't know what to make of it! i hope ian is gone for good, i still love peter but the timing isn't right, and the thing with william & the new agency makes me nervous. nervous to the point that i can't wait to read more! looking forward to wherever the story goes. thanks, jessica!

      PS: had a mini freak out yesterday that it was, in fact, Tuesday, and I hadn't read the blog!

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  16. This blog rocks...you SWALLOW!

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  17. LOVE this blog! Life is about taking chances and putting yourself out there...I wasn't feeling the writing-thing for Josie, so the possible career change looks promising for some good drama.
    Keep 'em coming, Jessica!

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  18. I effing love Richard. I know some of you don't because you're sensible and mature women, but let's all cut the crap and acknowledge that sometimes nothing beats the fun of a bad boy. It's not like Josie is in the market for a serious relationship anyway. This makes for much more interesting reading material anyway:) Love it, Jessica!

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    1. Agree...and sometimes, the bad boy turns out to have a good heart! I married my bad boy and we've been together for 16 years...

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    2. Haha. Rebecca, I died laughing at "sensible and mature women." Priceless! Bad boys are definitely fun sometimes. Although I'm ambivalent towards Richard, I do think they might owe it to themselves to see if something is there. They've managed to remain friends after all of there other draaaaaammmmmaaaaa; I'm sure if they fail romantically they will remain friends. Let the fun begin!

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  19. That's rather rude. Jessica is writing this blog during her free time and you aren't obligated to read it if you feel that she's such a terrible writer. The majority of us here, myself included love the blog and Jessica's writing style. She is extremely talented and that's why we are all so passionate in our opinions!!!!!! It's cool to comment on the post but to take shots at Jessica is just unnecessary and in poor taste.

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  20. i just can't ...
    i cannot begin to comprehend how good this post was. i've been waiting for them to get together for the longest while now, i think we're in for a bumpy ride

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  21. I feel like I've been waiting for this moment for forever! I really want to see how Richard would handle it with the whole 3 months in LA situation. Actually, I want to see how he'll treat her on a whole!

    Fantastic job!!

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  22. then why the hell are you bothering to read it?

    great writing! love it!

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  23. So disappointed. I thought Josie had better self-preservation instincts than that. Oh well. This should make for some good drama anyway. She seems to be drawn to relationships that have complications. I guess that's pretty normal, though. The other kind can be boring.

    She should take the job. It's good money. She'll probably hate it, but since she's not a real person it'll be interesting to read about. (that sounds meaner than I meant it to)

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    1. Hahaha, no it didn't sound mean, it was funny.
      I agree with everything you said. Josie likes to choose the bumpiest routes. But this blog wouldn't be as interesting if she found the good boy and rode off into the sunset with him right?

      I think she should indeed take the job. I agree that she will most likely hate it but it makes for good reads as you say.

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  24. She's a bad writer. End of story.

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  25. Love this blog!

    I am so tired of the bashing comments, if you don't like it don't read it! Geesh!

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  26. Errrrrrr why do I feel like they're going to sleep together and he's going to run away? Like this has been his endgame the whole time and once he gets her in bed he's done.

    I don't like Richard...but fantastic post!!

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    1. I totally was thinking the same thing. That the whole time, she was just a challenge. And he just wants to get her in bed. And once that happens, he won't want her anymore. Could be totally wrong though. Maybe it has to do with how he jumps around from girl to girl to girl without showing any type of emotion or remorse. I mean he went from saying he loved Sam to breaking up with her then straight to Josie. But after that weird thing happened between them when they talked after thanksgiving, he right away went from apparently being crazy about Josie to making out with a random girl at a bar. Once he's caught doing that, he bounces back to Josie again and is all of a sudden crazy about her again. It just all kind of points towards Josie being a challenge to him, making him more attracted to her because he really wants to sleep with her more than anything. Josie's said it herself before, he's just not used to anyone saying no to him before.

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  27. Seriously if you don't like her writing... Why are you reading it? It's simple enough really... There's a way out... Stop reading it. Many of us like it. We may not always like where it's going or the characters stories. But we like it. Rudeness need not reply. Constructive criticism on the other hand I'm sure is appreciated.

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  28. Abosolutly love this blog it reminds me of my novelas (spanish soap operas) I have been a loyal fan of this blog since she was on cosmo. You keep doing what you do so well jessica and don't listen to the haters

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  29. FINALLY!!!!! *victory dance*

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  30. HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA,,,,,it sucks..shes bad...that's all...hahahahhaaha

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  31. GTFO. Seriously. Her writing is amazing. Go read your 50 shades and leave the rest of us to enjoy Jessica's writing without a troll.

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  32. I knew it was only a matter of time before this happened. I think Josie just felt she had to see what happened with Richard since she was always thinking about him. I still have hope that richard turns out to be a good guy instead of the jerk he has been. Looking forward to the next post and how this all plays out.

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  33. troll...hahahahahahaha...

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  34. "Go read your 50 shades"....Bwahahaha! Yeah, then when she's done, she can crack open the Twilight and V.C. Andrews and stay the eff away...

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  35. why are you so upset that he/she is stating her opinion?....calling them names doesn't make any of you any better.

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  36. Best.Post.EVERRRRRR!!!!

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  37. Because it's ridiculous to say someone's writing is horrible, when it's a free blog that no one is forcing them to read. Just stop reading then, it's really not that hard. Especially when Jessica does this on her free time. I have read books that the writing is atrocious. Do I send hate mail to the author? No I close the book and know that there are readers out there that would enjoy the book. Insulting someone's writing is terrible, because it can cut them to the core.
    -S

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  38. 'No dinner for you'....hahahahah, classic. This blog is amazing, that's why you have so many ladies commenting. keep up the great work, we appreciate you!

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  39. Awesome Post, everything fits Perfectly

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  40. Favorite post ever! Very proud of Josie for negotiating a higher salary, especially since being poor in NYC stinks. Hopefully when things inevitably don't work out with Richard they can remain friends!

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  41. No Josie.....just no......Richard is a snake. He's gonna screw her over and say 'well I warned you'. She's given him so many chancesAND all results have came out with him looking like a snake. For once Josie just stop before you humiliate yourself again. I
    I'm on the fence a bout this new job opportunity. Yeah her heart is in writing but like she said she doesnt even get you and gets paid beans. I don't care what anyone says, money does matter. But she'll probably wind up sticking it out with literatti because Frank well choose that writer she wants.

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  42. I'm on the fence about Richard - it feels like a rom/com plot.. The playboy falls for the protagonist, and they drive each other crazy but they're crazy for each other. I love the plotline, so for fiction's sake I'm gonna say GO JOSIE, GET IT! :))

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  43. YES!!! LOVE the part where she takes her mom's advice and negotiates a better salary...No one ever taught me how to do that and I sure wish they had!
    Even if Richard turns out to be a total used douche dregs, the drama will be fun to read!

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  44. I've always loved Richard. And to think Josie thought he was gay!!!

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  45. OMG. I am so happy they are finally getting together! Love this blog! Haters need to go away! No one is forcing you to read this blog do not ruin it for those of us who love it!

    Does anyone know of any other blogs similar to Jessica's style?

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  46. Now wouldn't it be funny (and ironic) that after all of the anticipation and desire to hook-up with Richard, he turns out to be crappy in bed? That would be epic.

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    1. Yesss maybe he can't get it up! That would explain why he was always going from girl to girl - as soon as they discover the lack of boner they bolt! Genius idea

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    2. That would be so funny!

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    3. That would be so funny! As long as I've read this Josie's never slept with a guy who didn't get her off (I started reading in June), so I think it would be interesting to see this.

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  47. i am #teamAnyoneOtherThanRichard. I hope she takes the job with William, and that William never gets weird with her, and that she has no time for Richard and meets lots of new fabulous people at cwa.
    Renee Marie

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  48. My own little troll! And he's so amateur and cute! I'm honored, really.

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  49. NOOOOO BRING PETER BACK!!!!!!

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  50. I have such a hard time picturing Richard and Josie together. I think its because of the fact that Kate thought he was gay in the beginning. Now I can only see him as gay so its weird! Other than that little hiccup, I love where the story is going.

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  51. I LOVE Richard!!! This is great!!! Feel free to write 3 times a week instead of 2!! I am addicted!

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  52. This is probably as close to a normal healthy relationship as Josie will be in. They are the same age and stage in life. The only question now is is whether Richard is trustworthy

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  53. I don't always like Richard, but I do understand him. Great writing, it's so difficult to create a character like that.

    And, I like Richard and Josie! I hope they manage to actually have a relationship, not just sex, fight, make up sex, repeat.

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  54. yyyaaaaaaayyyyyyy!!!!! finally :) RICHARD AND JOSSIE. Lllloooooovvvveeeee itty!

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  55. Hurray! I love Richard:)!

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  56. Freaking finally!! Bad boys! My favorite kind of animal!!! Whatever happens I'm glad she got it out (is getting it out?) of her system! Yummmm

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  57. Great post. But definitely not a big fan of Richard and Josie relationship wise. I still miss Peter!!!!

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  58. AHHHH!!!!! OMG… I agree with all the other commenters: BEST POST EVER.

    I'm not sure I like Richard. He reminds me WAY too much about an ex—key word being EX. This might blow up in her face but this needed to happen.

    Thanks again Jessica! LOVE your writing! (GO AWAY TROLLS)

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  59. I love this post! Finally Richard and Josie hooking up! Yes!

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  60. Yeaahh!! Love:)) I have been waiting for Josie and Richard to hook up!! Glad it's finally happening!

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  61. Love your blog Jessica!! Ignore all the negative people that are commenting they obviously have nothing better to do with their time. You're a great writer and I look forward to Tuesday/Thursday every week!! Thank you for taking time out of your busy life to keep up with this blog! It really means a lot and really shows how much you care about your readers and Josie! Keep it coming!! :)

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  62. I just girl screamed like GIRL SCREAMED. THIS IS SO GOOD CAN THURSDAY BE RIGHT NOW?

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  63. THIS IS SO GOOOD! It is like when the little girl from despicable me recieved her fluffy unicorn, that GOOD!!!!!

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  64. Hot!! So damn hot. Can't wait to get on the Josie/Richard rollercoaster. Can't wait for Friday (Thursdays your time)

    I have mixed feelings about the job, so I will wait and see how it unfolds.

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  65. Don't want Richard and Josie to get too serious, as he is still unlikable, but I like the badboy interference and its capabilities in molding the plot line. I will always be a #bringbackpeter advocate, but I realize Josie has too many entanglements w/other guys to introduce that now. Loved the interview, loved how Josie was "leaning in" during it, love William and love the possibility of LA and a face off with Ian. Any chance on updating us with Justin/Elizabeth/Peter???

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  66. I am very intrigued to see how Josie and Richard will work out. Also hoping she gets the job which can lead to get getting promoted to agent-in-training and be able to go to LA to see what else Ian can stir up in her life! Love the story, girl. Keep up the good work!

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  67. Loveeeeeee it!!! Cant wait for Thursday!!!!!

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  68. Finally! Way too happy for words. Josie and Richard have great chemistry; they know how to piss each other off and turn each other on - so hot. But also that's the kind that turns to die out kinda quick (in my opinion anyway). Hope it doesn't happen though.
    This post was awesome.

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  69. Maybe I'm paranoid, but is anyone else wondering why Richard said Josie's place instead of his? Just wonderin.. If he doesn't show her his place in the next few posts, I'm gonna think something's up.. But this was an awesome post.

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  70. If and when it ends in a mess between Richard and Josie..please bring back Peter. Please! Please! Between great writing. Love it. :D

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  71. Thursdays post better start with a steamy sex scene!!! Haha I love the Josie/Richard thing- so fun to read!

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  72. ok..i don't like richard. i think we've all had our own 'richards' and whenever i think back of mine, i'm absolutely glad i never ended up with him.

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  73. I'm very skeptical about Richard. I can see this blowing up in Josie's face!

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  74. I think she needs to do this with Richard. They will never be able to be "just friends" with all the sexual tension between them. I am a little worried about Kate...akward!

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  75. ugh enough with the "bring back peter" people. he was tedious and boring and not fun at all.Richard is a douche but they have chemistry and sparks. i admit that sparks die down after some time, but it's gonna be interesting to read.

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  76. Tomorrow is Thursday finally! asdfghjkl; SO EXCITED FOR THE NEXT POST! <3 your writing <3 <3 <3 & LOL at the troll ! Fuck haters, obviously you are the best, xo :)

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  77. I've been an avid reader since your days at Cosmo, and after reading all of the hateful comments, I thought I'd tell you how much I look forward to reading this blog every week. Even my boyfriend (whose google account I'm posting under btw) knows not to bug me when I'm reading "my blog". Love it!

    And as far as my opinion goes, I always disliked peter. Deep down, I know Richard is bad, but I can't help but root for him!

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  78. YAYYYYYYYY I normally don't feel the need to comment on this but I am so excited about Richard and Josie I have been looking forward to this from day one. Kudos Jess I'm loving the writing

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  79. Loved the post!!!!!

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  80. Jessica has no class? This coming from the person who just said "fuck you" to a woman who spends her FREE time writing a blog for our pleasure. That's rather funny to me.

    I think everyone needs to calm down and remember their manners. No one comes to your job to give YOU bad news. Let Jessica breathe, please. People get brave behind their keyboards, but truth is you'd likely run with your tail between your legs if you met up with her in person.

    I'm not saying. I'm just saying.

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