Page 101 of Fake It 'Til You Sleigh It

My expression stays neutral. “Glad you’re enjoying the show.”

Ms. Riley’s lips purse into a thin line. “Enjoyment is irrelevant, Mr. Barrett. What’s important are results. Numbers. Subscribers.”

“Speaking of which,” Mr. Wiley interjects, “we’ve made some practical decisions regarding your future projects.”

My heart races. This does not sound good.

“We’ve never let an actor direct their own film,” Ms. Riley continues, her voice devoid of any enthusiasm. “It’s a frivolous allocation of budget.”

Mr. Wiley nods, his bald head gleaming under the stage lights. “However, Miss Pemberton made a rather… impassioned argument on your behalf.”

I blink, struggling to process this information. “She did?”

“Yes,” Ms. Riley says, her tone implying Chase’s passion was more of a nuisance than a benefit. “She seems to believe you’d make a… skilled director.”

“She also credited you with the idea for the social media stunts,” Mr. Wiley adds, adjusting his glasses. “Why anyone would squander their time on such trivial matters is beyond me.”

My mind is reeling. Did Chase really fight for me? Maybe winning her heart won’t be as tough as I imagined.

“Effective immediately, however,” Ms. Riley interjects, her voice sharp and cold, “Miss Pemberton no longer wants you two working together. She’ll be assigned to a different project, as your collaboration has reached its natural conclusion.”

The fluttering in my stomach plummets like a broken elevator. I bite my lip, desperately willing my face not to betray me.

Mr. Wiley nods solemnly. “Yes, we’ve already selected a new director to completeShamrock Shenanigans. Time waits for no one, Mr. Barrett.”

Wait, what?Our Saint Patrick’s Day rom-com with two months of shooting left? The one I was counting on to win Chase back?

Gone.

Just like that.

“But it’s her script. She doesn’t want to oversee it?” I ask.

“She deems this separation is best to advance both your careers,” Ms. Riley says. “Ms. Pemberton was quite insistent upon it.”

Mr. Wiley adds, “Details later. Time is currency, Mr. Barrett. Don’t squander it. Now back to work.”

With that, they shuffle away, leaving me stunned and disoriented. My gaze shifts to Chase, drawn to her like a magnet. She’s across the stage, locked onto her monitor, completely in her element. The sight of her, so close yet impossibly far away, makes my chest ache.

It’s already over.

She’s closed the door on me.

Making it impossible for me to change her mind.

Taylor’s voice disrupts my spiraling thoughts. “Ethan, we have press interviews lined up right after the broadcast. No time for a wardrobe change.”

“What about Chase?” I ask, a sense of unease growing in my gut.

Taylor’s phone rings, and I overhear a conversation that shatters what’s left of me. Chase is leaving. Tonight. For her cabin.

I don’t wait for Taylor’s call to end. “She’s not staying here for Christmas?”

“Shit. You weren’t supposed to find out,” she admits, looking guilty.

“Taylor, please. What’s going on?”

“Fine, but you didn’t hear it from me. Chase is taking off as soon as the show ends. I’ve got a car waiting.”

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