“Dwight Corey was hung up?” David asked.
“At first glance, yes. But he and I were going to rework the numbers now that the show has wrapped for the season.”
“The yearly compensation offered pays you handsomely and puts you in line with your contemporaries. After just your first year hosting the show, we believe that’s quite generous.”
An overwhelming urge flooded Avery’s system to point out that putting her “in line” with her competition was an insult. She had beaten her head-to-head competition in the ratings every week for the past year, so the network should compensate her not for being on par with the other network personalities, but for being far above them in every demo. She also wanted to mention how inappropriate it was for these two pompous egomaniacs to isolate her out on the beach and use their positions of power to intimidate her into negotiating a contract without her agent being present. But she swallowed her urges and offered a fake smile that told them without words what she thought of the offer.
“Like I said, I promise to take a hard look at the contract this week, now that I have a bit of free time. And Dwight will get back to you right away with our thoughts.”
“You do that,” David said. “We look forward to hearing your thoughts. American Events is on hiatus for summer, but we can’t allow the show to be in limbo for too long. American Events finished first in the ratings, and we want to pick up in the fall exactly where we left off. If for any reason you decide not to be part of that effort, we’d like enough time to choose your successor.”
“The list is long,” Mosley said. “Of potential suitors. American Events has the ability to make a star out of anyone who helms it. If you decide to part ways, the network would appreciate some time to prep the new host on exactly what leading AE requires.”
She wanted badly to call their bluff. Replacing Avery now, after the show’s most successful season, would be suicide. But she played along.
“I’ll call Dwight in the morning,” she said. “We’ll get right on it.”
Both men nodded as if the conversation had gone exactly as planned, then turned in the sand and headed back toward the house. It took Avery a couple of minutes to stop shaking after they were gone. Finally, she walked up the beach and across the gangplank. The remnants of sunset cast her shadow in a thin silhouette in front of her as she walked. The breeze was fresh and cool and made her realize how much she had been sweating. When she made it to the patio, she slipped her feet back into her high heels and walked along the side of the pool, which was glowing red from underwater lights, past tiki torches that lined the perimeter of the patio, and around propane fire-pit tables that gave off enough heat to hold off the chill of the ocean breeze. Servers pushed carts that held the evening’s feast—roasted duck with mixed vegetables—and began serving dinner. Just as Avery took her assigned seat, Mosley Germaine stood from his throne at the head of the table and used a fork to lightly tap his wineglass and capture everyone’s attention.
“I’d like to formally welcome everyone to this magnificent evening. We have all gathered here to celebrate our collective success as the cable news leader for the eleventh straight year. None of us alone are responsible for such a splendid accomplishment, and none of us alone can take credit. It was, and will continue to be, a group effort.”
He raised his glass. “To past accomplishments and future success.”
Everyone joined him.
“Cheers!”
Avery reached for the champagne flute in front of her, raised it quickly, and then took a long swallow, breaking her one-drink rule. Her strategy had already gone to hell. What was the point of staying sober?
CHAPTER 5
Coronado, CA Tuesday, June 15, 2021
“SEVEN-FIFTY A YEAR, FOR FOUR YEARS. THAT’S THE NEW OFFER. IT includes a fifth-year option based on ratings during the final year of the contract. Incentives for reaching benchmarks in certain demos will be included as year-end bonuses.”
“Seven-fifty?” Avery asked. “That’s what they came back with? It’s still low, Dwight.”
“They came up from six-fifty, Avery. Three million over four years is a solid offer,” Dwight Corey said. “As your agent, I strongly advise that you take the money and run.”