Page 393 of How to Kiss a Hawthorne Brother
Flint
Joni is livid, asexpected, when she hears what Simon has been doing. Fortunately, she really did have termination paperwork prepared just in case. We can even get Simon uninvited to tonight’s premiere if we work quickly enough.
Audrey is quiet while I relay everything I learned, but her eyes are sharp, darting from me, to Joni, and back again as we discuss the situation. As soon as there’s a pause in the conversation, she lifts a hand. “Listen. I understand your desire tonothave Simon at the premiere. After what he’s put you through, I don’t really want him there either. But Flint, Simon knows a lot about you. He knows aboutus.Are you sure it’s worth firing himnow? Right in the middle of the press cycle? If he has no reason to be loyal, why would he be?”
“That’s a valid point,” Joni says. “I hate it because cutting ties today would be so incredibly satisfying, but Audrey might be right.”
I lean forward, elbows on my knees, and run my hands through my hair. The wardrobe people will be annoyed when I go back for the rest of the interviews, but I’m too annoyed tocare. I do see Audrey’s point, but Ireallydon’t want to be around Simon anymore. Claire said he’d be here after lunch. The idea of faking it, of playing nice—that’s a hard thing to swallow.
I shake my head. “I see your point, but Simon also has a lot on the line here. He may be well-connected, but I am, too. I could ruin his reputation among other actors. He has to know that. I don’t think he’ll screw me over.”
“You might be underestimating the size of Simon’s ego,” Joni says. “I’m not saying we don’t fire him; I’m just saying we wait a couple of weeks until the movie press is behind us.”
“That’s my vote too,” Audrey says. “Not that I deserve a vote. But, you know. Just in case you were curious.”
I reach over and pick up her hand, threading my fingers through hers, then lifting our clasped hands to my lips. I press a kiss on her knuckles. “You definitely get a vote. And I understand what you’re both saying. But now that I’ve discovered the kind of cancer Simon is, I can’t stand the thought of working with him any longer. I just want him gone.”
Joni sighs. “Okay. I’ll get everything ready for you. You can talk to him after lunch.”
After we eat, Audrey excuses herself to the bathroom, and Nate heads onto the balcony to make some calls about tonight’s security detail. In their absence, Joni eyes me in her big-sister way. “Okay, spill it,” she says, folding her arms as she leans back in her chair.
“Spill what?”
She rolls her eyes. “So Audrey likes you now, too? You’re both feeling it?”
I look toward the bathroom door. “We’re taking it slow.”
“Slow is good. She seems like she’s holding up okay.”
“More than okay,” I say. “She’s been amazing.”
“Tonight will be the true test,” Joni says. “You think she’s really up for this full-time?”
“Maybe not the way I’ve done things in the past. But I’ve been wanting to handle this part of my career differently anyway. If I set some stronger boundaries, say no to stuff that isn’t essential. I think we can make it work. And I want to—because I really like her.”
Joni’s expression softens. “You know I’m up for anything that means we all get to slow down a little.” Her eyes dart behind me for a moment before coming back to me. “Speaking of slowing down, what do you say you let Audrey sit out the rest of the afternoon?”
I frown. “What? Why?”
Joni motions behind me. “Because I think she needs a nap.”
I turn and look through the bedroom door to see Audrey curled up on the edge of the bed.
“Besides,” Joni says. “She’s got a lot more getting ready to do for tonight than you do.”
I nod. “It’s probably better if she isn’t there when everything goes down with Simon anyway. And after our conversation, I’m sure Claire is going to be fine even without Audrey nearby.”
“Claire would be crazy to say anything suggestive now, even if she hadn’t apologized to you. Audrey’s face is all over the internet. You’ve sold it. You’re in a relationship. No one is doubting that now.”
“My face is all over the internet?” Audrey asks, appearing in the bedroom doorway.
Joni winces, like she maybe didn’t want Audrey to hear her. “Don’t go looking,” she says as she reaches over and swipes a handful of grapes from my mostly empty plate. “But yes. And TMZ has already figured out who you are, thanks to Flint introducing you to Lea asDoctor Audrey Callahan.”
“Someone heard that?” I ask.
“There was a reporter sitting ten feet behind you,” Joni says. “Of course she heard you. I wouldn’t stress about it though. Weknew this would happen. I didn’t want you to freak out about it, but it isn’t a bad thing.”
“What do you mean they know who I am?” Audrey asks. “I mean, they know my name, sure. But what else have they figured out?”
