‘Still. I can’t believe Mike’s okay with this.’
‘Mike works for me.’
‘Good for you. Because most of the time I feel like I work for Mara.’
That earns her a little smile from me. ‘I’d feel like that too, if I were you.’
‘Does she know? And Donna?’
‘Mike’s telling them this morning. He wanted to give them enough time to get their ducks in a row, but not enough time to derail the interview.’
She twists her mouth. ‘Makes sense, I suppose. I’m sure Mara will try her best, though.’
Dan calls over to us. ‘Josh. Elle. Ready for you.’
‘Sure!’ I call back to him. I turn to Elle.
There’s no way I’m letting this slide.
No way I’m losing her.
Not when we’ve come so far.
Tonight I’m gonna go out there and fight for my girl.
CHAPTER 47
Elle
From where I’m standing, there’s only one possible form of action to take.
Mara will probably fire me as a client after this.
But I have no choice.
CHAPTER 48
Josh
Gordon Kay’s couch feels different tonight. Back in the day, I’d be on here with a few Hollywood buddies, promoting whatever blockbuster we had coming out. They’d ply us with scotch in the green room and we’d be nicely mellow by the time we hit the sofa, banter flying as soon as we sat down, creating that magic vibe that made the studio audience and the viewers at home feel like they were part of an exclusive club.
Not tonight.
The green room is empty. Just me and my nerves and mywhat the fuck am I doing herethoughts. The set feels darker, the spotlights aimed at Gordon and me starker, the audience more subdued than usual. We’re airing at nine, because Kay knows better than to interview a loose cannon like me live on air before the 9pm watershed. And worst of all, I’m sipping on a Pellegrino. My only stimulant: a wedge of fucking lime.
We’re live. Gordon introduces me in a more sombre tone than usual, although his outfit is anything but sombre: he’s in a silver jacquard suit woven in a snake-print pattern, and askinny metallic pink tie. Nice. He leans over from his swivel armchair and we shake hands.
‘Thanks for having me here, man.’ I’ve opted for a respectable look this evening: jeans, a black blazer and an open-necked white dress shirt. I want everyone watching to take me seriously. I wanna look like I’ve showed up intentionally.
‘You’re looking very smart, Josh.’ Gordon admires me openly.
‘Thanks dude. Kept it simple. Didn’t wanna steal your thunder, you know?’ I raise my eyebrows at his getup and the audience snickers. A little flash of relief hits me. My first teeny win.
‘I’ll make you pay for that, you bastard.’ He winks at me before addressing Camera Two. ‘Okay, then. Tonight’s a special night. We have Josh Lander all to ourselves, ladies and gentleman, and he tells me we can ask. Him. Anything. That right, Josh?’
I sit up straighter. ‘It sure is.’
‘Excellent. And can I confirm we can even mention the E-word?’
