At the Heart of It

by Tawna Fenske

  “She offered, if we wanted to see it. Apparently they can’t e-mail it out, but she’s willing to pull it up on her laptop and show us when she gets the files tomorrow night. We could both meet up with her if you’d like.”

  “No.” Jossy bit her lip and handed him another claw tip. “I think I’d be too nervous. Maybe you could watch it first and tell me what you think?”

  “You’re so weird.” Jonah wiggled the glittery pink claw tip into place and held out his hand for another.

  They lapsed into silence for a moment, each of them focused on the task of helping the uncooperative cat. When Jossy spoke, her voice was barely audible.

  “Jonah?”

  “Yeah?”

  “I had a dream last night that I was riding a bike.”

  He looked up sharply, and Lucifer saw his shot at escape. Jonah gripped the cat tighter, subduing him without taking his gaze off his sister.

  “Wow, that’s—does that happen often?”

  She shook her head, eyes glittering a little. “No, that’s why I told you. It kind of shook me up. I mean—I’ve barely even thought about bike racing for eighteen years.”

  “Really?”

  She shrugged and handed him another nail tip. “I mean, sure, I’ve thought of it. In that way you think something absurd like, ‘I wonder what it would be like to buy a two-thousand-dollar pair of stilettos and sashay through downtown Seattle.’”

  Jonah frowned and slid the next claw tip into place. “You lost me there.”

  “I just mean, it’s impossible,” she said.

  “It’s not impossible, Joss.” Jonah kept his voice soft, both for Lucifer’s benefit and his sister’s. He couldn’t believe his luck at having her broach the subject. This had to mean something. “We’ve talked before about the computer-controlled knees.”

  “Please.” Jossy rolled her eyes. “You think two-thousand-dollar shoes are insane. A prosthetic like that? You could buy fifty pairs of those shoes for the cost of one of those.”

  “Call me crazy, but only one of those options sounds practical.”

  “That’s not even remotely practical,” she said. “Even if money were no object, it’s a silly thing to spend it on.”

  He started to tell her money was no object. Thanks to the show, that was almost the case. But should he really count chickens that hadn’t hatched? The show hadn’t formally been picked up yet. Anything could happen.

  Jossy shook her head and handed him another nail tip. “I wasn’t telling you about the dream to complain. I just thought it was interesting.”

  Jonah nodded, not ready to let the subject go just yet. He thought about Kate’s words the other night.

  “That really fucking sucks.”

  It did suck on so many levels. He’d spent eighteen years trying to make it up to Jossy. Trying give back some of what he’d stolen from her. Trying to live up to his father’s last request.

  But shirtless dog walks and cat manicures could only go so far.

  “What if a computer-controlled prosthetic just landed in your lap?” he asked.

  Jossy snorted. “Ouch.”

  “I don’t mean literally. Like what if insurance suddenly paid for it or something.”

  He kept his gaze on the cat, not wanting her to read too much into the “or something.”

  “I don’t know,” she said slowly. “There’s no point in even talking like that. It’s never going to happen, Jonah.”

  He took another nail tip from her and slid it onto Lucifer’s claw. For the first time, he saw a faint shimmer of hope. Things would never be the same for Jossy, but if he could just make this happen for her—

  “We’re almost done,” Jossy said. “Hang in there, sweetie pie.”

  “That’s right, buddy.” Jonah glanced at his sister and smiled. “The end is in sight.”

  CHAPTER FIFTEEN

  “That’s a wrap!” Kate called with a glance at her watch.

  It was only four, which was a bit early to stop shooting, but they were starting to lose their light. Besides, the temperature had been dropping all afternoon, reminding Kate of the challenges involved with outdoor shoots.

  “Think we got what we need?” Amy trotted up beside her, blowing on her gloved hands.

  “I’m pretty confident,” Kate said. “That last sequence with Elena running into Sam’s arms on the sidewalk looked perfect.”

  “She totally nailed that.” Amy grinned and glanced back toward the waterfront walkway, where the happy couple were still twined in each other’s arms. “I love the way he picked her up and spun her around. He did that without prompting.”

  “Quintessential wrap shot,” Kate agreed, already picturing it in her mind. They could dub in some voiceovers with the couple talking about their life together after the show. The camera would zoom in on the autumn leaves swirling around their ankles and Elena’s blue-and-gold scarf fluttering in the breeze.

  “I talked to the guys in post-production about the musical score,” Amy added. “That will add a lot.”

  “Thanks for handling that.” Kate shoved her hands into her coat pockets and wished she’d thought to bring along some hand warmers or maybe a thicker jacket.

  “Fuck me raw with a blue potato.” Amy blew on her hands again. “When did it get so cold?”

  “At least it’s not raining,” Kate replied. “I expected it to do that all the time if we filmed in Seattle.”

  “Wait until next week. It’s supposed to rain every day but Wednesday. Don’t worry, I adjusted the schedule and e-mailed the updates to everyone. We can knock out most of the indoor footage with those next two couples.”

  “You’re the best.” Kate looked back at Sam and Elena. They were still holding hands, and Elena beamed up at her husband like he’d invented dark chocolate and multiple orgasms. The cameras had stopped rolling, which made it that much sweeter. This was the real deal.

  “Great choice on her outfit,” Kate said. “She looks adorable.”

  Amy looked back at the couple and nodded. “Yeah, Ginger found that white sweater coat at a boutique downtown. And those jeans—would you believe she found those at a thrift store?”

  “Nice.” Kate watched as Sam swept a stray lock of hair off Elena’s forehead, then bent to kiss her again.

  All those counseling sessions, all the awkward conversations. In the end, it had all been worth it.

  “This is going to be a kick-ass pilot episode,” she said.

  “Yeah. I talked to Viv this morning,” Amy said. “She had some really good ideas for the next two couples we’re flying out here. And she also had a few thoughts about weaving in the story arc with Jonah.”

  Kate tried not to wince, but Amy caught it anyway. “Hey,” she murmured. “There’s nothing we can do about it. You heard what Chase said on the conference call this morning.”

  “Right,” Kate muttered, hating the echo of his voice in her ears.

  “I don’t care if you’re a zillion percent positive Average Joe doesn’t want to bone his ex-wife,” Chase had boomed over the speakerphone. “It’ll make for fucking great television either way.”

  “God, what a dick,” Kate muttered.

  “But he’s got a point.”

  “Doesn’t mean it’s a good one,” she said. “Or that we have to like it.”

  “No, but our hands are tied.” Amy sighed. “I talked with Rick Black in legal this morning.” Amy glanced around, but there were no crew members nearby.

  Even so, Kate edged a little closer and lowered her voice. “What did he say?”

  “He asked a lot of questions about dates and legal proceedings. Had me send over copies of everything related to the divorce.”

  “Did he seem—hopeful?”

  “He sounded like a lawyer,” Amy muttered. “Guarded. But I explained the importance of discretion here. That we’re doing our best to keep this whole thing quiet while we try to find a solution.”

  “So what’s the plan?”

  “He’s
going to do some research into Oregon divorce law,” Amy said. “That’s where they were married, you know.”

  “I know,” Kate murmured, remembering the details from the book. Viv’s glowing descriptions of the ceremony and vows and—

  “Oregon divorce law isn’t a specialty for an entertainment lawyer, obviously, though he has a couple guys on staff who know more than he does.”

  “So until then, mum’s the word?”

  “Yeah.” Amy nodded. “At least until we know more from the legal end of things.”

  The buzzing of Amy’s phone put a halt to their conversation, and Kate felt a flicker of hope it was the attorneys. Maybe they had an answer to the problem. Maybe Jonah and Viv would never need to know their marriage was still technically—

  “Speak of the devil,” Amy muttered as she stared at her phone screen.

  “Chase or Rick?”

  “I meant the other devil. The one who wants to woo her ex on national television.”

  Before Kate could reply, Amy tapped the screen to answer the call. “Hey, Viv. What’s up?”

  Kate strained to make out the reply, but Viv’s breathy response was too soft to hear.

  “We’re actually just finishing things here,” Amy continued. “Did you need us?”

  More soft murmurs, and Kate watched Amy’s brow furrow. “Let me check with Kate really quick.”

  Amy hit the button to mute the call. “Are you free to run by Viv’s place right now?”

  “I think so. Did she mention why?”

  “She wants to go over concepts for wrap footage. She had some ideas for an on-camera interview segment where she starts laying the groundwork for getting Jonah back.”

  Kate swallowed hard and tried not to let her face show any reaction.

  “Does she want to test shoot it? I can grab Pete.”

  “Nah, let’s use the handheld. It’ll make it more authentic. It’s just for practice anyway.”

  “I’ll get us packed up.”

  Amy went back to the call while Kate hustled to help put away gear and fill the crew in on the next day’s schedule. By the time they got in the car, it was after five. Traffic was lousy, but Kate didn’t mind. It gave her time to collect her thoughts while Amy jotted notes about the upcoming shot lists. As Amy muttered to herself and shuffled through files, Kate watched orange-gold leaves hurl themselves like angry confetti against the concrete dividers.

  It was nearly six by the time they reached Viv’s place. A black sedan sat out front, parked haphazardly next to the azaleas. The plates were from Washington, but something about it made Kate think it was a rental car. She got out with an uneasy churning in the pit of her stomach.

  “Looks like she has company,” Amy said.

  “Probably her gardener or masseuse or feng shui consultant or something.” It sounded convincing, though Kate wasn’t sure she believed it.

  Amy got out first and waited for Kate to catch up before marching up the walkway. As they approached the front door, Kate spotted a note tacked just above the peephole.

  Come on back, ladies! read Viv’s artsy, flourished handwriting. We’re waiting in my office.

  Amy looked at Kate. “We?”

  Kate shrugged. “Maybe she wants us to film the feng shui guy?”

  “God, like I don’t have enough release paperwork to deal with.”

  Kate slid the note into her purse and glanced back at the black car. It wasn’t Jonah’s, which filled her with unexpected relief. She’d been glad today’s shooting schedule hadn’t required him at all, or Viv for that matter. Frankly, she’d needed some time to process her thoughts. To remind herself that she needed to keep a business relationship with all of them.

  Amy pushed open the door, then hesitated in the entryway. “Sooo . . . I guess we just show ourselves back there?”

  “That’s what the note seemed to indicate.” Still, Kate hesitated, too, listening in the foyer for the sound of voices.

  There was nothing.

  “Soundproof office,” Amy said, reading Kate’s mind again. “I’m sure it’s nothing.”

  “Right.”

  They moved down the hallway together, neither of them speaking. They’d left their gear in the car, not sure yet whether they’d need it or if this was just a brainstorming session.

  As they rounded the corner, Kate noticed the office door was closed. She lifted her hand and gave three light taps.

  Nothing.

  She’d just raised her hand to knock again when the door flew open. A radiant-looking Viv greeted them. She wore white from head to toe, and Kate had a flash of memory. Viv and Jonah’s wedding photo from On the Other Hand, a rustic black and white with Viv resplendent and beaming in a snowy dress with a handkerchief hem. Jonah had his back to the camera, but his shoulders looked broad and strong as he swooped his new bride in his arms. Viv’s hair trailed almost to the ground as she laughed up at him.

  Kate’s breath caught in her throat, but she forced herself to smile back as Viv threw the door wide open and waved them inside.

  “Kate! Amy! It’s so wonderful to see you!”

  There were at least three exclamation points in the sentence, and Kate found herself offering a tentative smile, caught by the contagiousness of her enthusiasm. “Hello, Viv.”

  “It’s good to see you,” Amy said as she stepped forward into the office.

  Kate started to follow, then halted as Amy froze like a statue.

  “Oh!”

  Amy’s gasp made Kate’s heart jump, and she edged sideways to see what elicited such surprise. She let her eyes scan the room, taking in the familiar artwork, the spotless desk, the blood-colored sofa with a tall, beefy figure planted squarely in the center.

  Chase Whitfield looked up from his phone and regarded them with a calculated nod. “Ladies.” He smiled, showing way too many teeth and making Kate think of sharks. “This is some solid-gold shit right here.”

  Kate blinked. “Pardon me?”

  Someone touched her arm, and Kate looked up to see Viv sweeping past her, an ethereal look on her face. “You must not have heard the good news yet.”

  “Good news?” Relief sluiced through her, but Kate remained on edge. “What’s the good news?”

  Viv looked at Chase, her smile widening as she tossed her hair over one shoulder and turned back to Kate and Amy.

  “We’re still married,” she trilled. “Jonah and I are still married.”

  CHAPTER SIXTEEN

  “Fucking lawyers,” Kate muttered as she pulled the rental car into her parking space at the hotel. She switched off the engine, but made no move to get out yet.

  “I’m really sorry,” Amy said. “I don’t know how that happened.”

  Kate turned to see Amy frowning in the passenger seat. Her blond curls looked like she’d pulled Viv’s Zen garden rake through them, and the twin creases between her brows seemed deeper than normal.

  “It’s not your fault,” Kate said. “We both agreed that involving legal was the right way to go. There’s no way you could have predicted Rick would go straight to Chase.”

  Amy shook her head and looked down at her lap. “I thought with client privilege—”

  “We’re not the client,” she said. “Chase is. Well, Chase and the network. Not us.”

  Amy sighed and looked up again. “I don’t know why, but I guess I expected a little bit of decency.”

  “I don’t know why either. You’ve been in this business long enough to know better.”

  Amy snorted. “Reality TV isn’t the place to go looking for decency.”

  “That’s ‘unscripted television’ to you, missy.”

  Amy gave an undignified growl and reached for the door handle. “At least Pete wasn’t there to film it. Chase breaking it to Viv, I mean. Just an intern with a handheld. Maybe it’ll turn out lousy. Maybe we won’t have to see it.”

  “I doubt that’ll happen,” Kate murmured, knowing she’d have to watch the rough footage over and over during
edits, not to mention on the inside of her eyelids when she couldn’t sleep. God, Viv had seemed so happy. It almost made Kate wish the feelings were reciprocated. That Jonah really did still love his ex-wife.

  No, you don’t, her subconscious reminded her. You don’t wish that at all.

  Kate swallowed, trying to dislodge the guilty lump in her throat.

  “Maybe Chase will change his mind,” Amy said as she pushed open the car door.

  Kate shook her head and stooped down to grab her things out of the backseat.

  Amy kept going, afloat on her own stream of wishful thinking. “Maybe Chase will realize it’s a terrible idea.”

  “For Viv to declare her love on national television?” Kate slung her bag over her shoulder and followed Amy through the front doors of the hotel.

  “That, too,” Amy said. “But also to blindside him with the news that they’re still married. Chase has to know that’s an awful plan.”

  “It’s an awful plan for Viv, and an awful plan for Jonah,” Kate pointed out. “It’s not an awful plan for ratings. That’s all Chase cares about.”

  Amy pushed the button for the elevator, then turned to Kate with eyes so wide they reminded Kate of Amy’s first day on the job. She’d spoken up during a meeting when the production team was plotting out how to edit the season to make one participant look like a villain.

  “But isn’t that a little dishonest?” Amy had piped up.

  Everyone else at the table had laughed, but not Kate. It was the moment she knew she and Amy would be friends beyond the parameters of the workplace.

  But the way Amy was looking at her now gave her a fresh ache in the center of her chest. She looked like a kid whose sister had just spilled the beans about Santa and had turned to Mom for reassurance.

  “If anything, I should have known better,” Kate said. “Maybe if we’d gone straight to Viv ourselves. If we’d told her about the divorce not being official. Or maybe if I’d told Jonah first—”

  “But now you can’t tell him,” Amy said. “You heard what Chase said. We’re sworn to secrecy. Contractually bound to it.”

  “Right,” Kate said glumly as the elevator dinged in front of them.

  “So what do we do?” Amy’s voice hitched up on the last syllable, making two women look over from the opposite side of the lobby.