Carly Phillips - Hot Item

“Will you let me know how you make out in the Sunshine State?” he asked.

She nodded. “Not a problem.” She rubbed her hands together in anticipation. “I can’t wait to do some damage control. I need him to issue a statement in response to all this media coverage. In my experience it’s always better to have a client’s version of events sent out to the media first, forcing other people to respond. In this case we can’t do that, but if he replies with the truth before the reporters start digging and speculating, his reputation will come out stronger in the end.”

“Whoa.” She hadn’t mentioned a press release earlier.

Ignoring him, she strode to the desk and began punching in the numbers on the page Frannie had given her. She waited, phone hugged tight against her ear as the phone rang and rang on the other end.

She hung up the receiver and shot him a frustrated glance. “I need to book a flight for tomorrow morning. At least I’ll feel I’m doing something.”

Riley closed his eyes tight, his choices narrowing. If Sophie convinced Spencer to issue an honest statement and he revealed his connection to Riley, all hell could break loose in the conservative red state of Mississippi. After all, she’d said it was better to trump the media before they dug up the dirt and Spencer might choose to do just that.

He had to be by her side when she found his old man.

Once again she picked up the phone, this time hitting the intercom button. “Frannie, book me a seat on the first flight to Fort Lauderdale tomorrow morning.”

He rubbed his hands over his burning eyes before focusing on Sophie. She looked as upset as he felt at the moment.

He could only imagine how she’d take his next announcement. “Make that two seats,” he said loud enough for the woman on the other end of the speaker phone to hear.

BY LUNCHTIME, Sophie still hadn’t reached Spencer’s sisters by phone. She desperately needed air. It wasn’t enough that Spencer was missing and her world was collapsing in chaos, but she had Riley Nash joining in her search. She didn’t know how she’d focus on finding Spencer with the biggest distraction of all hanging around. The sexiest distraction.

She headed for the nearest café around the corner from the office where Cindy James, a friend and publicist at The Hot Zone, was supposed to meet her. It was a blessedly warm day for March in New York City and she was glad they’d chosen someplace with outdoor tables where she could enjoy the fresh air. Sophie ordered a Diet Coke while she waited and then breathed in deeply, allowing herself the illusion that all was well.

“Hello, Sophia,” a masculine voice said with a hint of a Spanish accent.

One that would be sexy if not for the man who possessed the self-assured tone. She eyed the handsome Dominican man, with his designer suit and too-welcoming smile, warily.

“Hello, Miguel,” she said to her uncle and Spencer’s number-one adversary. “What brings you to this neck of the woods?” The Cambias Agency was in the Bronx, close to where former President Bill Clinton had taken his new offices shortly after leaving the White House.

“May I?” He gestured to the empty seat.

To say no would be rude. “Of course.”

He joined her, sitting directly across the small table, where his gaze lingered on hers. When she’d met him at industry events, he’d always been polite and solicitous. Even so, he made her uncomfortable. Miguel Cambias always had an agenda, which made trust something she refused to give.

“I visited your offices to show support for my colleague,” he said, obviously referring to Spencer. “The gossip about him in the paper is unfortunate.”

Sophie raised an eyebrow, wondering if he’d come to show support or to revel in his opponent’s misfortune. “I didn’t think you read Liz Smith,” she said of the well-known New York gossip columnist.

“My secretary does, as do most people who want to keep up with the pulse of this town. Besides, the story is headline news. Surely you already know that.”

She did. She’d just been hoping that he’d slip with more information, like whether his clients were calling about the news, or worse, whether Spencer’s clients were inquiring about other representation. Not wanting to let on that she was concerned, she couldn’t ask.

“Since my secretary told you where to find me, you must also know Spencer’s taken the day off. I’ll be sure to relay your concern next time I see him.”

Miguel placed his hand over hers. “This can’t be easy for you or your uncle. I know how close you all are.”

Sophie slid her hand from beneath his and waved it dismissively through the air. “It’s not a problem for us or for Athletes Only. I can assure you of that.”

He glanced over her shoulder. “I think your lunch date is here.”

He rose from his seat at the same time Sophie looked up to see Cindy standing behind her, silently waiting for an opportunity to interrupt. Sophie shot her friend a grateful look. Her timing couldn’t have been better. She had no desire to continue talking to Cambias and try to decipher his intent.

“Cindy, I’d like you to meet Miguel Cambias. Miguel, this is Cindy James. She’s a publicist at The Hot Zone,” Sophie said.

“I’m surprised we haven’t met before.” His eyes sparkled with definite interest.

“I recently moved here from L.A.” A blush spread over Cindy’s freckled cheeks.

Even to a casual observer, it was obvious the interest between these two was mutual.

“It’s wonderful to meet a coworker of Sophia’s.” Ever the gentleman, he pulled out the chair. “Especially such a beautiful one.”

Cindy took her seat but not before Cambias’s gaze raked over Cindy’s model like curves and curly red hair, which hung down to the middle of her back.

From the glimmer in his dark eyes, it appeared that Miguel liked what he saw. “May I offer a word of advice?” he shifted his attention to Sophie, his eyes gleaming with hidden knowledge that made Sophie nervous.

“Can I stop you?” she asked easily.

He laughed. “There are people who don’t take other’s sexual orientation lightly. You should have Spencer talk to his important clients before someone else does.”

His tone was friendly. His words were not. Sophie understood the hidden implication. Spencer’s nervous clients were up for grabs. She had to find the man and soon.

“I appreciate the advice.” She forced a smile.

“If I can do anything, please let me know. In case you misplaced my number-” He reached into his breast pocket and pulled out a business card, handing it to Sophie. “And even if you didn’t, if your beautiful friend is interested in meeting for drinks, she can take the card instead.”

He winked at Cindy before leaving and Sophie’s friend nearly swooned. Sophie had seen Miguel have this effect on women at many charity events. The Spanish accent and his Antonio Banderas looks were enough to lure any unsuspecting female into his clutches. Which Sophie supposed might not be a bad thing for a woman who wasn’t his professional competition.

As soon as Miguel was out of earshot, Cindy leaned forward. “So? Is he one of the good guys?” Blatant curiosity shimmered on her friend’s face.

Sophie sighed. Cambias wasn’t someone Sophie would touch with a ten-foot pole, but she had an inherent bias against the man. For all she knew, outside of business the man was a saint.

“I honestly don’t know. But I do think he had an ulterior motive for coming here today.” She just wished she knew what it was.

“I’ll be careful.”

Sophie slid the business card toward Cindy, who snatched it up and placed it in her purse.

“What do you say we double-date? That way you can try and figure out what he wants,” Cindy suggested.