Falling Down(97)

"That's a shame," Dave says. "I'd have liked to have seen you two out on tour together."
I tilt my head in question.
Dave shrugs. "You seem happy together. Touring separately will likely screw that up."
I nod. "Likely." And that sucks ass. "I'll keep you updated. Thank you all for coming out this afternoon and listening as I tell you the facts of what's happening rather than continuing on with speculation. If something develops and you have questions regarding whatever it is, feel free to call my agent Irene McPherson. She'll set something up and I'll be as honest with you as I can."
With that I wave and Jesse hugs me to him, lifting me beneath my armpits so my face is level with his and I grin.
He pulls me in for a kiss and I wrap my arms around his neck, he wraps his arms around my lower back, holding me up in the air. I hear cameras clicking like crazy as we devour each others' mouths. Jesse pulls back, gives me one last soft, lingering kiss, then sets me down. I straighten my skirt and look to the crowd and fan myself. They all laugh and the cameras are whirling like crazy.
We interlock our fingers and head into the building with our friends and family behind us.
Once inside I let out a long breath of air and collapse my upper half over the reception desk. The receptionist laughs. Her black hair is cropped in a cute and messy pixie cut, her face round and stunning. Her eyes, a brilliant green, are what draw me in.
"That bad?"
"Actually, not as bad as I anticipated."
"That's good. The media can be a total pain in the ass."
I look at her name tag. "Celeste. It's good to meet you."
"You as well Miss Russo."
"None of that. I'm just Lucy."
"What are you up to?" Jesse asks.
"Shush. So, Celeste, you know a lot about bands, the music industry, touring, making records, what's needed as far as PR and stuff are concerned right?"
"Yeah. I've been doing this job the last seven years."
I nod and Jesse chuckles. "How attached are you to your job here?"
"Why are you asking?"
"Say I offer you a job as an assistant and PR person with a starting salary of," I reach for a pen and a piece of paper writing the number down and handing it to her.
"Are you for real?"
I shrug.
"Cage is going to kick your ass," Sera says with a laugh.
Our gazes are still locked and I can see her thinking this over, turning over the possibilities.
She nods. "I'm in. When do I start?"
"God damn it, Lucy," Cage bellows.
I turn to him sheepishly, though it's not for real and he knows it. "I'm sorry, Cage, she's just so brilliant."
"I know, that's why she works for me."
"Worked," Sera says with a laugh.
Cage sighs.
"You have so many professional super-assistants. My taking this one for myself won't hurt you."
"The hell it won't. She's the best I've got."
I shrug. "I figured. It's why I picked her."
"You little shit," Cage says wrapping an arm around my waist and lifting me up in the air to give me a smacking kiss on the lips.
"You weirdo."
"No worries, Celeste. Lucy will take good care of you. If you'd like to start immediately," he sighs, "I'll work something out with Francine in personnel and get someone up here to try to fill your position."
"Never gonna happen," I say folding my arms over my chest and Celeste laughs.
"Quit while you're ahead, Cupcake."
"True, true. I better shut up now." I give Celeste my phone number and she puts it in her phone then gives me a call back.