June 24, 2014

Show Me the Money

The email contained just one word. Extraordinary.

I picked up the phone and dialed the number I still knew by heart, then waited for an assistant to connect me.

“Hello, hello,” Frank said.

“I take it by your email that you weren’t disappointed,” I said. The sun jumped out from behind a cloud and I shielded my eyes. I’d slipped outside to call Frank as soon as I received his email. It was noon in L.A.—I’d sent the manuscript almost six hours ago. Frank was the only person I knew who would be in the office at 8AM sharp, two hours before most everyone else in the publishing world. Oh, and of course I’d slipped in a little request via Nick (via Nina) to read The Five immediately. Even though Frank had been a little surly with me for leaving Literatti, I knew I had a special place in his heart for introducing Nick to Nina, a connection that ultimately kept him in New York.

I’d worded my email to Frank carefully. I had a white-hot manuscript in my hands. A debut novel that had gotten a pre-empt offer of $250,000 from Little, Brown. I assumed Frank had heard the buzz—a pre-empt offer, which is supposed to be enough money to take any other offers off the table—is rare for a debut novel. I knew his tongue would wag if I told him that we’d decided we could do better and were entertaining other offers.

What I didn’t tell him—I was desperate. Under ordinary circumstances I never would have brought this manuscript to Frank’s attention. Richard had been fired from Literatti, and it would be incredibly awkward to pair him with an editor there. But money talks. If Literatti could do better than a quarter of a million, did it really matter who was writing the check?

“I certainly wasn’t,” Frank said. “Where did you find him?”

I took a deep breath. I knew Frank wouldn’t remember Richard’s name, they had only worked in the same office for a brief period of time. “So this is kind of funny,” I said, and forced a laugh. It came out tinny, fake. I was nervous. “He used to work at Literatti. I met him there.” I tried to gloss over the details of how his employment came to an end but Frank cut in.

“That relationship didn’t end well, am I right?” Frank asked.

“But not because he wasn’t good,” I rushed to say. “It was just a numbers game. His boss was eliminated so he had to go too.”

There was a pause on the other end of the line. “Josie, that’s not what happened.”

I had been pacing the CWA courtyard but now I stopped. “What do you mean?”

“We had wanted to promote Richard,” Frank said, “to associate. Doing so would have meant eliminating more assistants. He turned the position down. He said he didn’t want to be responsible for anyone losing their job.”

I sat down on the edge of the fountain, the water hissing behind me. “Would I have been one of the assistants eliminated if not for that?”

Frank sighed. “Well, possibly. You or Kate. You were really the only two left. She’s doing quite well here now. It wasn’t a reflection of your work. You were both fine assistants. Like you said, it was a numbers game.”

A fellow trainee walked past me and gave me a little wave. I nodded back at him, feeling numb. All this time, I thought I’d made the cut at Literatti because I was invaluable to them. An extra special little snowflake. But that hadn’t been the case. Richard had sacrificed himself for me. I swallowed and it felt like there were razor blades in my throat. I was so moved I could have broken down in tears right then and there. How had he never told me? “Well,” I said, clearing my throat, “then you don’t need me to convince you that Richard is a rare talent. You saw it for yourself.”

“Let me reconvene with my team,” Frank said. “I’ll get back to you in a bit with some numbers.”

“I wouldn’t sit on this,” I said, sharply. Let me reconvene with my team is often code for let me figure out how to tell you I’m passing. “I’m inclined to tell Richard to take the 250, and I’d hate for you to miss out on the opportunity to add an up and coming writer to your list.”

“I’ll get back to you,” Frank said, his voice revealing nothing.

We said goodbye and I hung up, feeling like I’d blown it. Literatti was not exactly flush right now, and I couldn’t see Frank convincing the team to put up six figures for a green writer with no following or fan base. I understood—it was a huge risk.

I sighed and checked my email again. I’d driven straight to the Apple store after getting off the phone with William, emailed Frank and a few other editors on the public laptops while Andy at the Genius Bar replaced the battery on my phone. Still no word from anyone else other than Frank. Some small, feral part of me thought about calling Richard and telling him that no matter what, he couldn’t accept any offer that came from Howie. Explain that if he did I could lose my job. I went as far as pulling up his name from my contacts list—still under favorites, I had to change that—but I couldn’t do it. If I secured the winning offer, I wanted to come by it honestly. And if I didn’t—at least I’d still have my dignity. I wasn’t going to take advantage of my situation with Richard in order to save my skin. He’d already come to my rescue once before, I’d just never known it. I still couldn’t believe he’d done that for me.

A shadow fell over me and I looked up. Peter was standing in front of me, a brown paper Whole Foods bag in his hand. Our office is right across the street—which means I get to do William’s grocery shopping every Friday afternoon. Lucky me.

“Have you eaten?” he asked.

I hadn’t, and I was ravenous. Running on fumes. “Just crow,” I said.

Peter smiled politely at my bad joke and sat down next to me. “What’s that supposed to mean?” He reached into the brown bag and pulled out a sandwich, tightly packed in tin foil. He peeled away the covering and gave me half. I didn’t even ask what it was before sinking my teeth into it. Turkey. Mayo. I hated mayo but in that moment it tasted glorious.

“When do you go back to New York?” I asked.

“Next Sunday,” Peter said with a smile. “Can’t wait.”

“I might be going back with you after all,” I said. "I've screwed up royally here."

Peter thumbed away a crumb stuck to the corner of my mouth. “Would that be so bad?”

I considered his question. There was something to just walking away from all of this, to going back to my life in New York, that was wildly appealing. My friends. My family. My routines and favorite places. I missed it all. I didn’t want to have to stake new ground here, not really. 

Plus, if I did get an offer that topped Howie's, it meant I would be tethered to Richard indefinitely. How would that even work? I'd never heard of two exes working together successfully—as agent and client, no less. It set up a dangerous power imbalance. Especially when there were still so many unresolved feelings between us. I thought about what Richard had given up for me, and for Kate—a job he finally cared about, was actually good at—and everything in me ached. Why did he have to go and screw everything up the way he did? I just don't think I can ever get over the fear that he would abandon me again.

But despite all the complications, the passion I had for my career was stronger. I wanted this job. So badly that the thought of losing it made my teeth hurt.

I was about to answer Peter that yeah, it would be bad if I had to go back to New York, but my phone buzzed with an email from William, telling me he needed me in his office immediately. I wolfed down the rest of the sandwich in one bite.

“Thanks for lunch,” I said to Peter, my mouth still full. Such a lady.

“Hang in there,” Peter said. “However it ends, you’ll be fine. You know that, right?”

I didn’t really believe him, but I gave him a weak smile and nodded.

71 comments:

  1. I always figured there was more to Richard than what we could see, mostly because I could tell his character was so well thought out. Not on team Richard but this was a great post!!!!

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  2. Can Josie please end up with Richard!

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    1. No. I believe in second chances but she already given him more than enough. Screw me once, shame on you. Screw me twice, shame on me.

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    2. He has shown that he has a good heart and that he cares for Josie but that doesn't make him a good person to be in a relationship with.

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  3. The anticipation with this situation is KILLING ME!!

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  4. So I guess Richard is getting a redemption angle. Of course Frank is going to come through with an offer. Everything works out in Josie's world. As much as I love this blog and Jessica's writing that is my biggest criticism. This girl screws up time after time and never faces and repercussions. How did Richard know that his promotion would lead to the assistants being cut? That makes zero sense. It's not like his manager said, "Richard we're going to offer you an associate position but that means we'll have to cut the assistants. What do you say?" That doesn't happen. I'm very disappointed with where this story seems to be headed but that doesn't mean I don't want to know the end.

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    1. Actually, they may have told him that. He already knew the company was bleeding money, so it's not a stretch to think he asked how a promotion was possible (anyone would need to know for future job security) and it's not crazy that they would say, we'll cut some other positions to promote you because you're worth it. That's how those conversations happen.

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    2. Just gotta point out, if there are budget cuts and your getting promoted, meaning more money, someones gotta lose their job. It made sense to me.

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    3. My company did a cut a few years ago, I'd only been here a few months, but they kept me and laid off a lady who'd been here for years, because I was more valuable to the department. They told me about it when I asked.

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    4. I beg to differ. I don't work in the publishing world but I do work in HR. It's not realistic for HR or a manager to tell an employee that if they accept a promotion, assistants will be cut. That's confidential information. Also when a firm is cutting headcount, it's unrealistic that promotions would be taking place.

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    5. And that was a huge run-on sentence...sorry about that girls, lol. :)

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    6. I agree with the original poster. In phoenix place her job was saved because of her performance which made sense. Josie is making Richard into a martyr and he isn't. He didn't single handedly save her job.

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  5. Oh wow, Richard did have something up his sleeve. I was totally talking about this with one of my friends yesterday. Well.... This is going to be very interesting. And I'm happy she didn't call him right there for him to turn Howie's offer down, because, as she noted, he'd be 'saving' her twice.

    www.poetsandheartbreakers.blogspot.com

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  6. Urgh can't wait till Thursday. Let me pick a team....
    Team Josie and her job!! Lol

    Lilysplaylist.blogspot.com

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    1. I agree! I have reached a point where whether she even ends up with Richard or Peter is irrelevant. She wants the job and it is the most important focus for her now. Frankly, it will be win-win in that she will get her agent's job or get to go back to NYC, both of which she wants . For Josie's sake, I hope she gets both job AND to go home. Now THAT would be a happy ending!

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  7. Ah two more days to wait! Dying over here. I think and hope Frank will bite and offer more than Howie's offer.

    http://tragedytwentysomething.blogspot.com/

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    1. I can't wait either but I kinda hope Frank doesn't come through. I feel that sometimes you need disappointment and failure to grow. I remember making a huge mistake in my career when I first started out. Admitting my mistake, learning from it and dealing the repercussions provided me with respect and admiration of my colleagues and senior management. I think she needs to learn that there are consequences to your actions. Do I think that would happen? Probably not. Frank will more than likely come in with a higher offer and all will be well.

      http://crazyadventuresinny.blogspot.com/

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    2. I think Josie has made her big mistake and she understands the repercussions but she is doing her best to fix it. I don't think things always need to go to crap to learn and grow. Sometimes things can be salvaged but that doesn't mean the experience was lost on you.

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    3. I'm conflicted. I want Josie to face the reprecussions and not get out of this unscathed because she is so darn careless. When she was at Literatti she almost screwed up putting Elizabeth on the security list and was saved by Peter. Here she leaves the manuscript laying around and Howie steals it. She should be more careful and learn from her experiences but she isn't. I think she is the type that needs to hit rock bottom to learn. The other half of me wants her to get the big deal and be a superstar. What has Josie learnt from the experience if Frank makes a huge offer? That she can screw up and then get bailed out by her connections. First Peter used his powers to get IT to break into Howie's email and then Frank, her former boss, comes in with an offer for her ex boyfriend. In the real world, no one would have a Peter or Frank saving their ass.

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  8. Ummm Richard is a total loser and his one decent deed does not make him any better. First even if he did sacrifice himself for Josie and Kate...who cares??? Adults don't quit their jobs so other people don't get fired. Cutbacks happen all the time. Josie and Kate would have been fine.

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    1. Choosing termination over a promotion isn't just a decent deed. It's a total sacrifice. I don't see Richard as a loser - it's evident that you hate this fictional character. Weren't you no longer reading and commenting?

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    2. Sacrifice my butt, at that time Richard was rich. He didn't have to worry about where his next paycheck would come from while he could focus on other things. Like his family troubles. He didn't take the promotion because he didn't need it.

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  9. I don't understand some of this post. It seems far fetched. I cannot see a company telling someone if they chose to advance, they would cause others to lose their jobs. Working in HR, that would not happen. If the direction of the company changed, that is not necessarily a reflection on the current workforce. Also, wouldn't William have told her about some of that? I can't think if he knew what was happening and saved his own ass he didn't know what would happen to the others? All these different directions of Richard make him seem like a multiple personality person! LOL.

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    1. Jennifer, you are correct. There is a HUGE discrepancy between posts. I understand that the story if finishing up, but please, it needs to be more consistent and cleaner. The fact is Richard didn't self-sacrifice at all. That was something new added into the mix.

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    2. Now I know why this post felt so weird. I was wondering why it didn't make sense and that link Jennifer posted clarified it. There is no way Frank knows Richard or the situation surrounding his termination. I get wanting to redeem Richard but changing the entire story isn't the way to do it.

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    3. Really? No one's heard of office gossip? Including amongst HR and management? Even if something isn't explicitly stated, it can be heavily implied - and Frank may or may not be willing to run with what he's heard and convey that to Josie. Especially if he truly wants the manuscript and a good working relationship.

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  10. Yeah, sounds like Richard sacrificing his job was a new thing Jessica added in.. and it doesn't quite fit with the previous story. Richard's character is all over the place. BUT I can imagine it's hard to write a serial story like this, because you can't go back and change things.
    Anyway.. I still wonder how Josie would ever end up with Richard again. He has kept so many secrets from her, it's ridiculous. How would she ever trust him? He's a pathological liar, and quite manipulative, even if he has her "best interest in mind".

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    1. I think Richard isn't a bad person, he's actually got a good heart BUT he and Josie should stay friends. He has proven to be an awful bf

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  11. well of course she added the Richard sacrificing his job as a new thing, it's a new post. I wouldn't imagine that she has had this in mind since the many months ago when he got let go. I don't think it's realistic that HR would tell him the situation but most people can assume what a lay off involves without HR communicating it. It seems like the Richard haters are looking to nit-pick on this one. Who really cares how realistic that tiny detail is, it's fiction after all. enjoy!

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    1. The problem is this post isn't line with the story. Frank wasn't in the picture when Richard got laid off and wouldn't know about Richard giving up the promotion. It's a big deal because it doesn't make sense. It's not about Richard haters looking to nitpick, it's about being consistent. William knew what was happening and knew her job was safe because he was still there and needed her. It had nothing to do with Richard. William even warned Josie to stay home that day.

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    2. Ya exactly, there's no point if the story isn't consistent. It is clear from the hunger games post that William knew Richard would be fired before he knew himself, so it's not possible that he had the option to be promoted.

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    3. I am so not surprised by this. I think this was set up to redeem Richard and justify Josie and Richard ending up together

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    4. Yes but this post goes against everything that we learned in the past. I wish there was no consistency because this post throws the past right out of the window. I'm sure there was another way to redeem Richard instead of this route.

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    5. Good fiction still follows it's universes rules and story. When something like this happens it takes the reader out of the story which isn't what you want. You can't just say it's fiction so who cares. Readers should care about these things.

      Plus it's just a move I don't like. It hurts Josie as a character as she now didn't get her job because she deserves but because of Richard.

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    6. My assumption is that Richard was actively acting/lying about his feelings regarding the promotion to Josie and others at the time. As was management. Which makes to "OMG TOTALLY UNREALISTIC" reaction moot. I have had very, very candid responses from HR/management about consequences to me taking a promotion in the past. And I have certainly lied or misrepresented interview results while discussing it with fellow candidates for a competitive position - so I can't imagine how I would have acted if I really and truly didn't give a hoot about money. I don't think it means Josie didn't deserve her job, just that someone else was more valuable to the company at that particular time.

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  12. I'm not sure I understand how Richard has screwed her over so bad. They were only a couple once, he acted immature by showing up to her party late, breaking up with her before she moved, picking on her a lot out of pent up feeling frustration when they were just friends, but the way you all talk about him, you'd think he cheated on her, slept with her best friend, hid tons of money from her, had a coke problem or something...he's been immature, insecure but throughout this whole story we've come to understand that he's mostly had her best interest at heart all while being terribly insecure, feeling non-deserving which caused him to act like an ass sometimes.... I don't see anything so terrible about Richard. I was team Peter for a while but even then I didn't hate Richard.

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    1. Are you saying it's justified to put yourself first, sleep with Kate to get back at Josie, tell her she wasn't relationship material, break up with her when she's leaving for LA, lied about being unemployed, kicked her out of his apartment, made everything about himself and then ignoring her for weeks only to show up at her party with his own pity party agenda. He also chose to confide in Nina and still does instead of Josie. Sounds like the type of man all women dream of.

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    2. He didnt sleep with Kate to get back at Josie. It was a rebound situation, it wasnt to hurt Josie. I agree with the original poster. You are all totally exaggerating how bad Richard is.

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    3. A rebound situation? More like he was pissed that Josie rejected his advances and wanted to get back at her. The night in the Hamptone Josie pushed him away and he ended up with Kate, same as thing in the post Jennifer reference. He lost his job, Josie wasn't looking to get involved with him so what did he do? it's sad that some women will go to extremes to defend a man like this.

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  13. Last comment. I swear. But the beauty and the curse of writing a blog is that its through ONE person's perspective. Things could have happened that Josie doesn't know about.
    Still team Josie!

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  14. to the "are you saying it's justified....." comment. justified? no. but god-awful unforgivable? no. just plain old stupid and she deserves an apology. it's not the THAT terrible, especially when we've seen where the author has told us this stuff is coming from emotionally in him.

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    1. I disagree. Who wants to deal with such an unstable person who falls back on his childhood as an excuse.

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    2. I'm not saying she should go back to him, but I think she can forgive him. There are acts in this world that are forgivable and some that are not... should she trust him? I don't know, depends on how badly she wants to take the chance. I'd rather take the chance on something I really want and kick myself later if I shouldn't have trusted him than never take a chance for what I want and kick myself later when I see the guy turned out to be a perfectly wonderful stand up kind of guy. Richard isn't a terrible person, he's just made some shitty mistakes.

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    3. Richard is not a terrible person but he's a terrible boyfriend.

      I feel the opposite of you. I would rather not take the chance on something I want that has proven to be bad and hurtful for me multiple times in the past. I don't care to waste time and effort on someone who has let me down already especially when I have big career things in the works.

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  16. Once again another great post! Keep it up Jessica, I'll definitely be sad when its over.

    http://lifeistooshorttakeitwithagrainofsalt.blogspot.com/

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  17. I'm not sure I understand Peter's purpose anymore. Especially since he's made it clear that he doesn't want to get back together, why is he still lingering?

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    1. That's what I was wondering! Why on earth did he pop up here when it's clear that Josie is done with him? Maybe it's to put the final nail in the coffin of Josie + Peter and show that he is nothing to her now but a friend that feeds her. Hmmm, maybe we shall find out

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    2. Probably to show the contrast between Richard and Peter. Peter goes out of his way to help Josie whereas Richard is only interested in himself.

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  18. There's a glitch, I can't post where I wanted to reply to this:
    "I feel the opposite of you. I would rather not take the chance on something I want that has proven to be bad and hurtful for me multiple times in the past. I don't care to waste time and effort on someone who has let me down already especially when I have big career things in the works."
    that's interesting to hear... I guess it's a difference in how we go about lives, letting people in, keeping them out, prioritizing work, being safe and secure or more open to mistakes and disappointments etc. I'm super give it another go type. I've had great relationships with men that didn't start out well but that I knew there was merit to personally so I think that's why I tend to give that sort of "give it your all if you want it" advice.

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  19. then too after years of having a career in writing, I still always and happily put love above my career...not that I think there's any conflict in this story with Josie's career and being with Richard anyhow.

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  20. I, personally, think Josie is trying to make up for her screw up. I'm really hoping it works out for her.
    As far as the Richard thing, Frank could have gotten filled in when he took his job.

    I'm still team Richard & still think your are a great writER Jessica!

    http://lovelifela.wordpress.com

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    1. Exactly, (Frank probably *was* filled in when he took his position). Details that happen in fiction - like in this instance - are sometimes implied. The reader is expected to understand that there's a variety of possibilities in the back ground circumstances like this one with Frank. It's not really a huge point...certainly not one that totally discredits the continuity and believability of the story. I think it's great the way the author is tying all these loose ends together, while providing suspense and tons of emotion for the central characters to nash their teeth over. And, while I might personally be hesitant to jump back into a relationship with Richard (he *is* shaky when it comes to staying power; hard to imagine building a foundation on that), if Josie's truly in love with him, and considering all we've learned about his actions and reactions...well, how could she let that go? Things between them are still incredibly intense, and Josie has discovered some new, eye-opening facts about Richard's good intentions toward her. She's obviously still head-over-heels for him, and vice-versa; there's no stopping that type of emotion, considering there's been underlying causes for some of Richard's more distasteful actions. They'll wind up together, and it'll be blue skies forever for these two star-crossed lovers.

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  21. Jessica I loved this, I knew there was more to Richard than met the eye and after reading this post I can't help get more endeared to him.

    Then I go on to read the the comments and most of them are just a bummer, I think I will stick to reading the posts and let the comments be, too many haters for my liking.

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    1. I don't think there are haters. I think we all appreciate and love Jessica's writing. However, this post goes against history. If you read the Hunger Games post you would see that. Just because someone disagrees or questions a post doesn't make them a hater. If you want to wholeheartedly believe every little thing and not be objective then so be it. Others who have followed the story from the beginning have many questions since this post doesn't make sense.

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  22. To those who feel that adding that sacrificed his job for Josie, I have some points.

    1. Richard was an editorial assistant, just like Kate. Josie was William and Megan's personal assistant. They had different jobs.
    2. All of the assistants that were laid off, also had managers that were laid off.
    3. William knew layoffs were happening and warned Josie to stay home that day.
    4. HR will not share that type of confidential information.
    5. Frank didn't come into the picture until weeks later.
    6. Frank is a no Nonsense man wouldn't be engaging in gossip with anyone.
    7. It doesn't make sense that weeks later, someone would tell Frank a story about someone he didn't know.
    8. Frank came from an outside company.
    9. Josie talking about how Frank and Richards time overlapped when they didn't.
    10. If Richards selflessness made such an impression why didn't HR, keep him and let Kate go?


    I get wanting to wrap up the story and have Richard and Josie love happily ever after, but don't change facts and him into something he isn't. Being laid off is hard, I've been there. You don't know before hand that your going to be called down to see HR. I've yet to hear about someone who was told if they accept a promotion others would be laid off.

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    1. It's a fictional story. Jessica can make it whatever she wants to make it - arguing HR policies won't change that. This post is hilarious.

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    2. It's not arguing HR policies. Why do you find this hilarious? Jessica can make the story anything she wants but blatantly changing and writing history makes us all scratch our heads. Maybe next we'll find out that when Richard hooked up with Kate, he was only thinking of her needs and did it because he cared about her not because he was trying to get back at Josie.

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    3. I agree with the other anonymous. It is hilarious, but you are not alone in your comedic comments. "Makes us all scratch our heads" Huh? Speak for yourself.

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    4. Why don't you comment on the post instead of someone's comment? She shouldn't have to apologize because her standards are higher than yours. she's completely right. Distorting a story to get the end result you want takes away value from the story. Now instead of Josie keeping her job because she's a valuable hard worker, it's because of Richard? Why destroy Josie like that? Josie was kept because of the reality show and because William was around.

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    5. Uh, because this is a comments section. See the way these work is, people comment on the content and then to each other. It is meant to be interactive, hence the reply buttons.

      And get over it. Why not complain about Peter being so smoothly placed into the California story line? It's fiction and it's called plot advancement.

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  23. It's hilarious because you appear to be taking it pretty seriously.

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  24. I don't like this retcon. It's clear that her and Richard are going to end up together and this was added to make some readers like him more. It hurts the story in order to do it though which is disappointing because I feel like it can be better.

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  25. For everyone saying this is inconsistent with the story- HR does not make hiring decisions, they carry the process out according to proper protocol only after the decisions are made by the higher ups. Richard could have been informed of what's going on over a martini lunch by William's boss.One can easily speak in a vague code to get their tricky message across, I have similar conversations all the time as do millions of others in all walks of life every day. And you don't know what you're talking about if you think Frank wouldn't be clued in on everything from what went on with Richard to who brings lunch and works through the hour and who goes out all the time. It's an office and nothing happens in a vacuum.

    In the end, who cares? There are a million leaps a fiction writer must take for blogs, books, or movies. Where were you cry babies when Peter so smoothly happened to be involved in this Cali gig out of nowhere? Super cool Howie turned out to be sketch after hiatus? It's called making the story up as one goes along. I think the writer is doing a damn fine job.

    The reality is a few people don't like Richard and are vocal about it. I get it, you need a guy you can control because someone you had some great chemistry with and really liked burned you before. It sucks but we've all been there. Quit projecting, your not so tough when faced with a guy you really like anyway. Attraction is not a choice anyway! It happens when it happens.

    I suspect this nit-picking also has to do with the fact that some of you whined and moaned about Jess taking some time to FINISH A NOVEL! Now that she has returned as promised and is pumping out some effort, you feel a little shame and want to find ways to rag on her so you feel less guilty about chewing her only to return, greedily clicking every Tuesday/Thursday to read each morsel she spits out for consumption. It's time to chill out and grow up, however old you might be. Just one dude's opinion...

    Jessica, thanks for keeping up the posts while on Vacay.

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    1. I've been hesitant to comment but this post compelled me to. You have a lot of nerve saying that readers need a man that they can control so they are hating on Richard. Maybe readers want to Josie with a man that respects her and treats her like his equal instead of a punching bag. Before you get all upset, I'm not implying that he hits Josie, just that he takes out his frustrations on her. What any of the readers do in their personal life isn't your business. It's funny whenever someone can't make proper point they personally attack others.

      Why would Frank be clued in about a person that no longer works at the firm? Richard was long gone when Frank started. In fact, Josie and Richard had different jobs and responsibilities so how would he be saving her? Just because you disagree with the comments, doesn't make you automatically right. Completely changing history makes Richard more likable but takes away from Josie. Instead of her being saved because she is a valuable employee, she's saved because of Richard. Way to diminish her professional accomplishments.

      The nitpicking as you call it has nothing to do with Jessica personally. It has to do with the story. I have yet to see one person on here say something negative about Jessica on this post. Most of the comments are about how inconsistent this post based on previous posts. No one is ragging on Jessica. Instead of misreading an entire situation and spewing no sense, why don't you get your facts straight. You need to grow up and think before you speak.

      Delete
    2. I respect where you are coming from. While I don't agree with your take on things, I appreciate your level headed counterpoint. I posted what I posted knowing people would respond similarly to you so I'll make this my last post on it.

      People always form opinions colored by their experiences so my leap of logic was a short one. I am just calling it like I see it when it comes to all the tough talk about what is acceptable from a man. And seriously, what has Richard done other than not be a puppy dog? Josie is not perfect and Richard has not killed anyone, he has just been a challenge.

      Finally, what professional accomplishments??? She was an assistant and only a year or so into the job. Where is the accomplishment in that? These were cuts, no one cared about her and she accomplished nothing. Last in first to go so if anything, she would have been one of the first cut.

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    3. I'm actually indifferent about both Peter and Richard. Personally I would like to focus on her career and find a man that is more suitable. With both Richard and Peter she would be compromising. It's clear that Peter wants to settle down and have children, whereas Josie doesn't even know if she wants children. It makes sense that they don't end up together. Richard is flighty and isn't emotionally available for Josie. In my opinion, he confides more in Nina than Josie herself. A woman needs someone to support her and not always call her out. Yes it's nice to have a reality check but not 24/7. I don't see him being a puppy dog. I think he's been manipulative and done things to get even at Josie when he's upset. Case in point, the reality show party. Josie ended up making up with him and then pulling away, saying that she didn't want to ruin their friendship. He ended up calling her a cocktease and play mind games with her about her reconciliation with Peter. He is a little too vindictive for my liking. You're right, he hasn't killed anyone or committed any serious crime but that doesn't make his a saint or a puppy dog either.

      Josie felt that she was making strides at her new job. She thought that her job was saved because she was valuable. Now that theory goes up in smoke to redeem Richard. Having been laid off, I can tell you the last in first out theory doesn't hold true. Most companies cut the fat by eliminating those who are making large salaries and leaving the junior people to pick up the slack. I highly doubt she would have been cut because she was bringing attention to the company with the reality show. Can you imagine the backlash and the headlines if she was laid off? "Reality TV Star Laid Off Right Before Premiere." Richard was an editorial assistant, Josie was a personal assistant. Their jobs were completely different. I doubt he would be saving Josie by any stretch.

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    4. Thank you Jessica Rivera. You said all my points better than I could have.

      Delete
  26. whatever your qualms are with the story or perhaps the writer, she's obviously kicking a$$ when he readers are this involved in the characters, the believability etc. Keep it up Jessica. I'm actually not much for fiction, for blogs, for romances etc. but I find this blog to be so much fun.

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