“But it’s nobody’s business.”
“While that is technically true, it won’t stop the headlines from multiplying, or the studio from demanding answers.They’ve just sunk millions into marketing Avery’s new rom-com, and this is not the story they want competing with the movie.”She hands me my drink.
“She was inQueer Girl Summerbefore.”
“This story is not about Avery being with another woman, Nic.It’s about the other woman being her therapist.”Leslie takes a sip, then grabs her phone.“Give me a sec while I call her.”
Avery hasn’t expressed any concern about her reputation or how this might affect the box office of her new movie.Knowing her, she probably doesn’t care—but other people surely do.
“She’s coming over,” Leslie says after hanging up.She sits down on the coffee table in front of me, her knees almost touching mine.“I’m sorry that I haven’t yet acknowledged your feelings for Avery.”
I take a sip of my drink and swallow slowly.“She makes me feel something I thought was gone forever.After Lois…” I stop, because, sometimes—especially in emotionally fraught situations—saying her name still feels like pressing on a bruise.
Leslie’s hand closes over mine.“I know,” she says softly.“I thought you’d never let anyone in again.So if Avery makes you feel like that, even if it’s complicated, I can’t judge you for that.You do know I’m not judging you?”
I stare into my drink.“Can you help me manage my reputation as well, please?Control the damage?”
“I will do anything I can to help you.Whatever it takes.”
“It wasn’t supposed to come out this way.I asked Avery to keep it a secret so I would have some time to wind down my practice.That’s not something you do in a week’s time.I care about my clients, some of whom have been with me for a long time.And now they’re seeing this?”I take another much-needed sip.“Now it all goes to fucking hell.”
“I’m sorry.”Leslie gets up and falls onto the couch next to me.“Let me think about how to handle all this.”
But, despite my earlier request, I don’t need my sister to deal with the fallout of my decisions.I’m a big girl.I can face the consequences of my actions.
My phone rings—again.I check the screen in case it’s Avery.But it’s Jan.Oh, damn.
I pick up because it’s the very least I owe her.
“You told me it was over, Nic,” she launches straight into it.“You promised me.”
“I’m sorry.”What follows is one of the most harrowing silences of my life—all unspoken accusation and harsh judgment—but when your wife has died in a car crash you at least learn to put things into perspective.This is not a call telling me that Avery’s car has been in an accident on the way over, which is the only call I truly wouldn’t be able to deal with.Although that hardly makes this easy.
“You’ve made me complicit,” Jan says.Ouch.“And you’ve left me no choice but to tell the board.”Another silence.“Also, Nic, this is no way to treat a friend.”
“I know, Jan.I’m so sorry.”
“So am I,” is the last thing she says before abruptly ending the call.
“Who was that?”Leslie asks.
“Avery’s new therapist.My friend Jan.Possibly former friend from now on.”
“People are going to need some time to absorb this shock, Nic.Especially if they were involved.”
“Yeah.”I drain my glass and hold it up for a refill.
When Avery arrives, I wrap my arms around her—even if it feels strange to do it in front of my sister.I may no longer be afforded an exit with some dignity left, but at least I have her.Still, I let go quickly.Who knows who might’ve followed her, or whether there’s a telescopic lens aimed through Leslie’s windows.In this town, you never really know.
Avery refuses a glass of scotch, opting for water as usual.The three of us huddle around the dining table where my sister was supposed to serve me a meal.I’ve lost all appetite.
“Avery,” Leslie says.“How are you?What are your feelings about this?”For a Hollywood agent, my sister’s very empathetic—the most important quality for the job, she once told me, despite the reputation of her profession.
“I don’t care.”She fixes her gaze on me.“I just care about Nic and what this means for her.”
Her simply being here has dissolved the worst of my stress, but hearing her say that, while she looks me in the eye, makes me care less about the consequences as well.
“Yeah.Well.”I can tell Leslie’s trying to sound more upbeat than she feels for the sake of her client—and my sake as well.“I don’t think we can do a lot about that.”
