“She’s one of the top agents in the industry,” I tell Sophia. “You’d be in good hands.” I may have looked her up a time or two to see what she was up to. I’ve seen the articles and awards she’s won. It also means I’ve seen more about her than I wanted to know. She’s not famous, but she was with a reality star who had a moment. There wasn’t a magazine rack in town that spared me a view of her face when they got married.
“I’m not playing favorites. This is still a business decision. Even if you have history.” Sophia straightens back up in her seat.
“I would never expect that. Neither would Blair. Let her court you and see if you think she’s a fit.”
“And you’ll stay out of it?”
I give her a look that quickly communicates she should know better. I would never get involved like that.
“Ok, ok. I just needed to say it out loud so you know where I stand.” She reaches over, grabs my hand, and gives it a squeeze.
“I would never try to influence something like that.” I squeeze her hand back.
“I know. I’m not sure I will be as honorable. I’m invested in finding out if the love connection is still alive!” She laughs as we pull up to the theater.
“There’s no love connection,” I say too quickly and too harshly. Even I hear the defensive lie in my voice. “Look, I can’t say a lot, but I’m working on a project, and TWA is the client. So, between you and work, there are plenty of conflicts of interest to keep Blair and me strictly professional.”
She nods and pats me on the arm, her way of saying that she understands and won’t push anymore…at least right now.
I join her outside the car and extend my elbow for her to wrap her arm around as we approach the red carpet.
“Besides,” I say, “I don’t even know if I’ll see her again after tonight. We’ve been in this city for years without running into one another.”
nine
. . .
BLAIR
I triedto convince Stella to join me tonight as my plus-one, but she ditched me for a yoga class. Instead, I beg Grant Hall, an exec at Wonderland Studios, to be my date. He’s a good friend, and we have zero romantic interest in one another. We learned early on that we make great replacement dates for each other, though.
My divorce is old news, but with the rumor that the new happy couple will attend tonight, there’s always a chance the press will ask if I’ve seen them or how I’m doing since the divorce. I hate that I care, but I don’t want to go solo for fear of all that might imply: Sad. Alone. Pathetic.
Since this is a premiere featuring a female lead actor, director, and writer, I’d rather they ask questions about the female talent I represent, but that can be a sore spot, too.
Right around the time I was getting married, one of the top female stars we represent held a meeting with all of TWA’s agency leads. She was getting typecast and wanted new ideas. I didn’t know Lance was already in deep with Everest Studios to lock the actress into a five-film deal with a new action franchise. She chose one of my ideas, and it killed the project at Everest.Lance was livid. He lost it. I’m pretty sure everyone heard him screaming that my “pussy-forward movement was a waste of everyone’s time.” That I was an idiot if I thought I could come in and really change this town’s hundred-year legacy of filmmaking.
Trades caught wind of the gossip, and while they didn’t have the exact details of what went down, there were murmurs I was on Lance’s shit list.
I’m just finishing my makeup when I hear my phone buzz and see a text from Grant.
GRANT
Just arrived. Should I come to the door and pick you up like a proper date would?
ME
I’ll be right out. No need to interrupt whatever call you’re likely on.
GRANT
God, why can’t you be my actual girlfriend? So understanding and low maintenance.
ME
Oh please, your work is your mistress. But I still love you.
GRANT
