“I’m not doing it out of the goodness of my heart. I got roped into it by CeeCee.”
Leonard chuckles. “Ah, the indomitable CeeCee Rafael. I find it hard to say no to that woman, myself.”
“Hard? Tryimpossible, thanks to all the publicity she’s given my up-and-comers over the years. The feature she wrote about RCR in time for their debut release is what bought me my first house.” My phone buzzes and I look down. “I’ve got to take another call, Len. Don’t forget to text me how many tickets your daughter wants for the RCR concert. I’ll make sure she and her friends get backstage to meet the band.”
“Wow! Thank you. You’re going to win me Father of the Year with this birthday present.”
“Show me some mercy on my next bill, and we’ll call it even.” I disconnect the call and pick up with Isabel. “Well, if it isn’t ‘America’s Sweetheart.’”
Isabel giggles. “Oh, you saw that interview, did you? Wasn’t it amazing?”
“I wouldn’t call the interview ‘amazing,’ no. Theheadlinewas amazing. That’s the kind of nickname that’ll stick. But the interview itself was only okay. You laid on the ‘relatability’ factor a bit thick. The photo spread was smokin’ hot and on-brand, however, although I’d have told them to lay off the photoshop, especially on your face. You’re not twenty-two anymore, but why would you want to be? Overall, though, I’d say the piece was a win. It was certainly well timed, considering the studio’s big announcement last week. Congratulations on that, by the way. I’ve always said you’ve got superpowers, haven’t I? And now, it’s official.”
“Holyfuck, Reed. A simple ‘Yes, Isabel, the interview was amazing’ would have sufficed.”
“You want me to lie to you?”
“Absolutely.”
I scoff. “Don’t ask for my opinion if you don’t want to hear it.” I check my watch. “Why are you calling me? Aren’t you filming pick-ups in Toronto?”
“I’ve got a few days off, so I flew into LA for a meeting with the studio head. Unfortunately, though, he had a family emergency while I was in the air and needed to reschedule. Which means, lucky you, I’ve just landed in LA with zero plans for the next thirty-six hours. Let’s fuck like rabbits! I’m a horny bunny.”
“Sorry, I’m booked solid between now and the break of dawn, when I’ll be boarding a flight to The Big Apple.”
“Break all your silly plans. It’s been way too long and I miss you.”
“I would if I could.” I’m not sure that’s a true statement, actually.
Isabel’s voice turns stiff. “You’ve got a hot date?”
I look at my watch again. Shit. I need to end this call in exactly four minutes to make it to the stupid panel on time. “No, I don’t have a hot date—not that it’d be any of your business, if I did. I’ve got an event at UCLA in a few minutes, and then I’m meeting a couple friends for dinner and drinks.”
Isabel sighs with relief. “Perfect. Yes, I’ll join you for dinner. Thanks for asking.”
“Not this time.”
“Oh, come on. Whoever your friends are, they’d be thrilled to break bread with ‘America’s Sweetheart.’”
“Nope. It’s a Boy’s Night Out. Maybe next time.”
“Who are the friends?”
“Josh Faraday and another guy from college you don’t know.”
“Josh Faraday! He’dloveto see me! Remember how much fun you, me, Jen, and Josh?—”
“That’s ancient history. Josh is happily married these days.”
She gasps. “Josh Faraday is married?”
I look at my watch again. “Yup. He’s married with children and living in Seattle. And I’ve got to hang up in three minutes to make my event.”
“Wow, I thought for sure Josh would die a bachelor, the same as you.”
“So did Josh. But the minute he met his crazy wife and her even crazier family, all he wanted to do was build a white picket fence with her. He’s got two babies and another on the way and says he wants to fill a minivan. Josh is so happy these days, I’d hate him if I didn’t love him so much.”
Isabel scoffs, and I know she’s aggravated to hear me use the word “love” in relation to Josh, when I’ve never once said it in relation to her. “Come see me after you’re done with your friends,” she says. “Whatever time it is. I don’t care how late you come, as long as you do.” She snickers. “And then makemecome.”
