Page 50 of The Comeback Tour

“I’m sorry I didn’t call you sooner, Marisol. A lot has been going on, but I can assure you everything is on track with the media.” I can’t sit still, so I pace the length of the bus.

“I’m not concerned about the media at all. Jax is making all the headlines and social media is going crazy about the show last night. I’m seeing rave reviews. You’re doing a great job. I hope the events last night don’t deter you from wanting to continue managing press the rest of the tour.”

“Not at all. I definitely want to continue the rest of the tour. That is, if you’ll have me. I need to be honest with you.” I stop pacing and take a seat. Here goes nothing. I need to come clean. This is so hard to do, but I’m a grown woman and I know this is better for both brands all around.

“First, I want to tell you how honored I am to come on board with your company and have your team welcome me with open arms. I appreciate that you put so much faith in me and have the confidence that I can manage such a demanding account my first week on the job.” I pause for air.

“Your past experience speaks for itself, Cailin. Imani could not talk you up enough. I trust her, and after speaking with you I knew you would be a great fit for our company. Is something bothering you?” Marisol’s tone changes to concern.

“I got your text about exploiting the mystery woman behind the lipstick stain.”

“Does Jax want to keep that private? I don’t want to do anything that will make him uncomfortable. But it can be good for his image if we can bring him back into the spotlight with a new love interest on top of the album and tour.” I would agree with Marisol if it wasn’t me.

“Actually, Jax is okay with revealing his new love interest.” Here it comes. The moment everything I worked so hard for is going to explode. Goodbye public relations career.

“That’s great!” Marisol says. “Then I don’t see the issue.”

“The problem is that revealing the woman might reflect poorly on our company.” I’m stalling, but I need to just spit it out. “It’s me.”

Marisol pauses to digest this startling news. I seem to have this effect on people.

“I see. I see.” Marisol’s lack of immediate reaction has me so stressed, I wouldn’t be surprised if my hair starts to fall out.

“I know this reflects very poorly on me and I can assure you I didn’t set out on tour with these intentions. Things just happened and I take complete accountability for putting your reputation on the line with mine. I take my career so seriously and I know I just ruined this amazing opportunity you gave me.” I wish she could see the remorse on my face.

I’m shaking at this point. I let myself down and I let Marisol down. I deserve whatever is coming my way.

“I appreciate your honesty, Cailin. I’m sure admitting the truth wasn’t easy for you, but this also proves what a good publicist you are because you got ahead of the crisis so we can plan for damage control. You said Jax wants to go public?”

I fill Marisol in on Harry’s theory. She agrees it can be good for Jax.

“The issue now is figuring out how this might impact our PR firm,” Marisol says. “And how we’re going to reveal you as the mystery woman. What press do we have lined up for the next show?”

My chest deflates as I let go of the breath I didn’t know I was holding. “Does this mean I’m not fired?” How can this be? I’m not going to argue with it.

“I’m going to tell you something, Cailin. When I was around your age, I fell in love with my coworker. I feared I would lose my job, just as you’re fearing right now. We kept it a secret for a year. It was hard on both of us and the guilt ate me alive. I hated lying to our colleagues, who became close friends. We had to pretend we weren’t a couple every time we went out and I always had to dodge questions about why I wasn’t dating anyone. It was very stressful on me.”

“Wow, thank you for sharing that. What happened? If you don’t mind me asking.”

“We got engaged and the company we worked for fired us because it was against company policy for two employees to date.”

“I’m sorry.” Marisol understands what I’m going through because she has been in my shoes. Things are actually working out in my favor.

“Don’t be. That’s how we started this company.”

“Your husband is your partner? That’s amazing. I didn’t know.”

“He’s more in the background these days, handling financials while I am client facing,” Marisol says. “But the point is, we can’t let work stand in the way of love. Jobs come and go. But true love only comes around once. If you and Jax feel like you need to explore this, then you owe it to yourselves.”

Wow, I did not expect this. Marisol is proving to be my mentor in more ways than one. “I cannot thank you enough for being so understanding. I promise I won’t let you down.”

“Now, we need a plan,” Marisol says. “I want to leave everyone in suspense a little longer as to who you are. For now, let’s release a statement from Jax that confirms he’s in a relationship. Why don’t you talk to him and then touch base with me later? I’ll connect with Harry as well.”

“I will. Thank you again. So much.”

“We’ll speak soon, Cailin.”

“Bye, Marisol.”

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