Chapter 1

She was definitely not someone he would have believed could be an author, not by just looking at her, that is. Watching her now, in the reception hall full of other authors and editors, she seemed quite small and out of place. Many of the authors Scott was watching were quite gregarious and outgoing; she kept mostly to herself and remained soft spoken. Maybe that's what drew him to her; she wasn't like all the rest.

When her manuscript was first given to him, Scott Byrd was intrigued. He read the synopsis and the couple of chapters that were included and he was curious to meet this new author and find out how the book was laid out. The chapters he had been given were such an easy read, he was curious to see if the rest of the book would be that way. So, he quickly made arrangements to meet up with this TK Lawrence to find out all he needed to know.

Was that only a year ago?

He remembered how surprised he was when he finally met TK. She was only 5' tall, but she didn't back down when she knew what she wanted with her book. They butted heads a couple of times over changes, but, all in all, TK was cooperative and offered compromises where she could. Scott enjoyed the challenge of working with her and was almost sorry when they were done with the book.

All of that led to today. The publisher, Mr. Jack Harmon, was hosting a reception for all his authors and editors for the annual holiday gathering. Every editor and author doesn't show up all the time, but Scott enjoyed going to these functions, if for no other reason then to see who showed up. It was his perverse sense of humor that drew him to these receptions. He stayed sober while watching all these respected authors and editors getting smashed beyond belief and making total asses of themselves.

But, she was different. TK tried to mingle, but seemed like a timid rabbit. After watching her expression change from stoic to pained, Scott decided to swoop in and rescue her.

"How are you holding up?" he asked, as he approached her from behind. With an expression of relief, TK turned away from the group of pompous blowhards.

"I wish I didn't have to be here," TK remarked, relieved to find an ally in this place. "But Mr. Harmon insisted."

"I know what you mean," Scott began, placing his hand around TK's waist and leading her away from the group that had captured her. "I felt that way my first year. Now, I come here purely for the entertainment."

"What entertainment?" TK was at a loss to see how any of this could be entertaining. She had never liked going to big parties, especially where there was drinking, and going alone just brought back many of TK's insecurities.

"Sure. Watching these people change from respected adults in the field of literature to babbling lechers! If you can stay out of the line of fire, it really is quite amusing," Scott explained, smiling. TK chuckled and felt a bit more at ease as she allowed herself to be led by Scott. "Here, is this better?" he asked, as he led her through a door out onto the deserted balcony. It was early winter, but the afternoon sun offered a little warmth from the chill.

"It is a little chilly, but I'm more comfortable being out here then being in there," she replied, wrapping her arms around herself to keep warm.

"I'm sorry. Here I was thinking I was rescuing you and, instead, I throw you into the depths of pneumonia!" Scott spoke with mock indignation as he stood behind TK and wrapped his arms around her body. She was shorter than the women he usually dated, but he found that he enjoyed being able to envelope her with his 5'11 frame. "Is this better?"

She leaned her body into his but before TK could speak, they were interrupted.

"There you are, Scott! I've been looking all over for you!" Her voice was sickening sweet and Scott groaned as he turned to face the interruption, keeping one arm still around TK.

"What do you want, Tiffany," he droned in the most unwelcoming tone he could muster.

"Oh, well," she began, disgusted with the discovery of TK at Scott's side, "Mr. Harmon was looking for you and I told him I'd find you." She plastered a smile on her face that reminded TK of the old cartoons where the cat ate the canary.

"We'll be right in," Scott answered, hoping Tiffany would get the hint.

"You know, you shouldn't keep Mr. Harmon waiting," Tiffany warned.

"I said," Scott began again, this time a little angrier, "we'll be right in!" With that, Tiffany left in an exaggerated huff. TK watched as she left, noticing how beautiful the young lady was. Obviously, TK thought with a twinge of envy, she has nothing to do with her life but work out so men can ogle her.

"Who was that?"

"That was Tiffany Willis," Scott answered in disdain.

"THE Tiffany Willis? Doesn't she have that line of 'body beautiful' books?" TK had read some of the back covers of the books and was surprised that this was the same author who wrote them.

"The one and only," Scott admitted, reluctantly leading TK back inside the reception hall.

"For such a beautiful body, she has a pretty ugly disposition," TK observed, causing Scott to choke a little at the vocalized revelation.

Soon after re-entering the hall, Scott excused himself to go find Mr. Harmon. Tiffany was hovering just inside the doorway waiting for Scott to leave.

"I can't understand what Scott would see in the likes of you," she scowled as she came up behind TK. Tiffany couldn't help but look down at TK from her height of 5'6.

"I can believe that," TK responded, not turning around but trying to keep as calm as possible.

"You're ... you're fat!" Tiffany had decided to throw the gauntlet down. She had wanted Scott Byrd since she started getting published by Harmon Publishing. He had spurned her every advance. Tiffany was determined to not allow this new interloper a chance to get him instead.

"Slightly overweight, actually; but I'm working on it," corrected TK, glancing casually behind her at Tiffany's face. This might be more fun than I thought, she mused to herself. TK learned young that she would never be able to beat anyone in a physical fight, but a 'war of the words' was something entirely different.

"And, you're short; like a — a dwarf." Tiffany announced smugly. She was getting frustrated. In the past, Tiffany was able to start something and then have most of the men falling over her, as she played the 'innocent victim.' This one was harder to bait.

"First off," TK began, completely turning her body to face Tiffany, "my feet touch the ground like everyone else's. But, more importantly, the medical community has classified dwarfs, who prefer to be known as 'Little People', as being shorter than 4 foot 10 and with specific anomalies within their genetic structure. So, since I am all of five feet, I could not be classified as a dwarf, I'm just short," TK corrected matter-of-factly, then slowly turning away from Tiffany to scan the guests looking for Scott or Mr. Harmon.

"You're old." This was true, comparatively. If TK was correct in assuming Tiffany was in her late-twenties, TK was almost five years her senior.

"With age, there is wisdom and maturity," TK quoted calmly over her shoulder, not even looking at Tiffany this time.

"You're ugly." Boy, TK thought, Tiffany is really grasping at straws with this one! TK had heard about some of Tiffany's antics and was glad for the warning. She knew her father's best friend would watch out for her to a certain extent, while still enabling her to stand on her own.

"Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder."

"I bet you've written a book to tell all those ugly girls how to use their brains, since they don't have the body to get what they want," Tiffany accused, smoothly running her hand down her side to her hip, effectively accentuating her form.

"And I bet," TK shot back, turning again to keep eye contact with Tiffany, "you write those books that tell girls that all they have to do is develop their bodies and not their minds and they'll get whatever they want."

"That's right!" Tiffany announced smugly. She was proud of her books and they sold quite well. According to Tiffany, there were many girls out there who needed to look better than they did.

"Obviously." TK let a fake yawn escape her lips, but she didn't turn away. She was hoping that this power trip would soon be over.

"What's that supposed to mean?" Tiffany was becoming indignant. She had never had anyone stand up to her like this woman has and it was beginning to get on her nerves.

"It's quite apparent that you have yet to realize that, while the body may be beautiful, if the soul is ugly everything else is damaged goods." Looking at Tiffany, anyone could see that her blood was beginning to boil. TK, on the other hand, remained calm on the outside, never revealing her increasing anger.

"A lot you know, I can get any guy I want because I'm beautiful and desirable," Tiffany boasted, placing her hands on her hips and sticking her chest out even higher. She made sure to continue facing TK, almost as if in a staring contest. Tiffany was surely not going to back down. And, she had every intention of winning this war!

"Actually, you can get any guy you want because you're an easy lay." TK made the remark before she realized she had spoken it out loud. She turned away slowly to continue to scan the guests even though she desperately wanted to see the look on Tiffany's face. She could feel heat on the back of her neck and she could only assume it was from Tiffany's anger at her statement.

Scott had been listening in on most of the exchange, keeping just within earshot, but not within view. He, actually, was enjoying listening to TK put Tiffany in her place. With TK's last statement, however, he quickly interceded before the young goddess pummeled the outspoken author. As the volley of words had continued, a small crowd had begun to form. As he led TK away from the growing crowd Scott couldn't help but chuckle.

"What's so funny?" TK asked, irritated at what she assumed was her being laughed at. "Is this part of the 'entertainment' you were alluding to earlier?"

"Not at all. Actually, you are the first person I know who has been able to put Tiffany in her place and live to tell about it! And, you did it masterfully, I might add!" Scott explained, steering TK toward the center of the room.

"Good, I'm glad you two are here," Jack Harmon greeted the couple before TK had a chance to reply to Scott's remark. "May I have everyone's attention, please?" he announced to the rest of the guests. "As most of you know, once a year I have the editors review the books that we published over the past calendar year and select their favorite. The favorite is always announced at this reception. For the first time ever, we have a tie for the Editor's Choice Award!" Mr. Harmon paused while his guests gathered around closer to hear who won. "This year, the tie is between Tiffany Willis' 'Body Motion' and TK Lawrence's 'Walking With Angels'!" As everyone cheered, TK was awestruck.

"Congratulations!" Scott gave her a quick hug before gently guiding her up to the front next to Mr. Harmon.

TK felt uncomfortable in the limelight, and even more so with Tiffany standing beside her. As the two women congratulated each other politely, TK got the distinct feeling that Tiffany was going to cause more trouble, if given the chance. She knew that Tiffany was not happy with not getting the last word, and, now with having to share this award with her, Tiffany would be out for blood.