Page 40 of Naughty Nelle

“The Locust?” asks Trevor.

“Fantastic! A killer cliffhanger!” exclaims Blake before I can respond. “Our viewers are going to love it! The ratings will go through the stratosphere, and they’ll be salivating for more.”

Kiss-up Doug pats me on the back “Brandon, I’ve got to hand it to you. At first when I heard your idea, I had my doubts, but now I’m totally convinced. I have to ask you—what inspired that twist?”

I stare at him blankly and stammer, “I don’t remember.”

I truly don’t. Damn my amnesia. Maybe I discussed my storyline idea with Zoey and she knows. Mental note: Talk to her.

Blake packs up his briefcase. “Listen, everyone, one last thing…I don’t want any of you to share what’s going to happen on the season finale with anyone. And I mean anyone. Especially your co-workers. I want this to be top secret. It stays in this room. You’ll each be receiving a non-disclosure agreement from Legal tomorrow. Trevor, take care of that.”

Blake’s soldier readily agrees.

Well, I guess that means I can’t discuss my script with Zoey. That sucks. She could be helpful since she knows the show so well. Read over what I’ve written and make suggestions. Even fix lines and typos I miss. Take dictation. My stomach tenses at the daunting task that lies ahead. Will the action hero make it as an action writer?

With this ponderous question weighing on my mind, I follow Blake to the exit door. As I’m about to split, Libby corners me.

“So glad to finally meet you. Give my best to Zoey.”

My brows shoot up, “You know her?”

“Yes. My brother Chaz is dating her brother.”

“I didn’t know that.” The truth is I don’t know much about Zoey at all.

“I’m surprised she never told you.”

I heckle. “Maybe she mentioned it once, but I must have forgotten.” That’s likely the truth too.

Blake, checking his briefcase before he leaves, chimes in. “Libby and Chaz happen to be my wife’s best friends.”

Confused, I say, “Five degrees of separation.” Part statement, part question.

Libby corrects me. “In this town, it’s more like two.”

I laugh lightly. She’s right. Given her connections, I bet she knows my fiancée. I give it a shot.

“Do you know my fiancée, Katrina Moore?” I ask after Blake and the others take off.

She snickers. “Sure. Everyone knows your fiancée. She’s America’s It Girl.”

“I mean, do you know her personally?”

She gathers up her belongings. “I have to go. I want to start writing up the focus group report while the findings are fresh in my mind.” She extends her right hand, the one that’s not holding a giant tote bag. “Really, so great to finally meet you, Brandon. And way to go on the season finale story direction. I can’t wait to see the episode.”

I shake her hand. My mother always said if you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say it at all. Libby totally avoided my question. There’s no doubt in my mind she has nothing nice to say about Katrina. Does anyone?

Five minutes later, I’m back outside. The night air is crisp and I walk briskly back to my car. Ideas for the season finale are already spinning in my head. The idea of Kurt Kussler finally acknowledging his feelings for his assistant Mel feels right to me. With all the emotional and physical obstacles my alter-ego faces, I just don’t know how he’s going to get there. I only wish my assistant Zoey could help.

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