Total pages in book: 95
Estimated words: 88057 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 440(@200wpm)___ 352(@250wpm)___ 294(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 88057 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 440(@200wpm)___ 352(@250wpm)___ 294(@300wpm)
“I’m sure.” She waved a hand airily. “But I’m loyal to you and our production company. If this show gets canceled, I have faith you’ll come up with another killer idea for me to sell.”
We’d been a good team for years, with me as the creative mind and her the business brain. I had no doubt she could pitch whatever idea I came up with, but I simply didn’t want to start over. My idea stable for future show concepts was empty, replaced by endless dreams and schemes for Traveling. I couldn’t move on as easily as Cressida at all.
“But I love Bishop. I want to see his plot arc through to the conclusion I’ve had planned for years. No one else even knows the end game yet. We can’t leave it undone.” Despite my efforts to be quiet, my voice still rose. I couldn’t hold back my passion for the show.
“I know.” Cressida gave me another pat. “But it may not be up to us.”
“There has to be something we can do.” I sounded fourteen, convinced that a letter-writing campaign could save my favorite show, instead of like a seasoned adult who knew better. This would likely come down to a business decision, columns of numbers.
“You know the drill.” Cressida stretched. Her pretty lavender dress with the matching jacket was the perfect mother-of-the-bride morning-after outfit. I had no doubt she would be fine. In fact, her lack of concern only served to heighten my distress even as she advised, “We wait. I’ve sent some emails arguing against cancellation, but we’ll simply have to see what the network says. They said we’ll hear in two weeks or so on the final decision, but they’re pausing production until they decide. Look at it as an enforced vacation. You can get busy dreaming up new concepts but also relax. Recharge.”
She rubbed my shoulder, but I shrugged away from her touch. “Yes, because we’re both so good at that.”
“I’ll have you know I’m trying,” she said archly, like she wasn’t the same woman who had to write reminders to breathe and hydrate in her planner. “I moved myself to a later flight and booked some more spa time. I’m going to do my best not to think about the show for a few days.”
“Easy for you to say.” I sounded petulant, but I was beyond caring about my tone.
“Ambrose. Darling.” She reached for my shoulder again but dropped her hand when I glared at her. “Don’t let this upset you.”
“Of course I’m upset. And with good reason.”
“But we don’t want you having—”
I cut her off with an exasperated noise. “Not everything is a panic attack trigger. And telling me to calm down doesn’t help.”
“Well, I am trying to help.” Forehead creasing, she gave me a frustrated look. “And not simply as a big sister. As your business partner, I’m telling you that this is likely out of our control, and you should move on to thinking about the next big thing.”
“I think I’m done with breakfast.” I pushed away from the table, not wanting to make a scene but unable to continue this conversation.
“As you wish. I do care about you, darling.” Cressida rose as well. “Let me know when you’re safely back in LA. I do wish you weren’t driving.”
I allowed her to give me a stiff hug before I stepped away. “I’ll send you a text.”
Cressida might want me on a plane with her, but I was glad I didn’t have the added stress of flying right then. I headed straight for the room’s exit but ran into Harley, who was carrying Hercules in his bag.
“What happened?” Harley seemed to instantly know I was upset because, of course, he did, and he steered me to a little nook off the main hotel lobby with a big stone fireplace and cozy leather couch. He pushed me to sit on the couch, and unlike with Cressida, I welcomed his touch and invitation to talk.
“We’re on the proposed cancellation list,” I said as he sat beside me. “Not the vague rumor Cressida warned me about either. More like a strong likelihood that we’re finished.”
“That sucks.” He wrapped an arm around me, squeezing me close. Not a soul around to see, yet he remained the perfect boyfriend. Or maybe he was simply being a good friend. I no longer knew what to think, only that I was glad for him and his typical blunt honesty. “Fucking network. Always with the budget-based decisions.”
“Exactly.” I sank into his embrace, resting my head on his shoulder. “And I don’t know what I’m supposed to do either. This show means everything to me.”
“I know.” He nodded solemnly, dark eyes sympathetic. His arm was warm and reassuring, making it easier to admit how upset I was.
“Cressida seems to think I can come up with another show on the fly, but that’s not how this works. I poured everything into this show.”