I knew she’d somehow bring the conversation back to dating, and here we are.
“Not much is happening,” I tell her. I did cancel a date to come here tonight, but she wouldn’t like that, so I keep it to myself.
“Well, get yourself out there,” she says. “You’re not getting any younger.”
“Thanks, Gigi,” I say, my tone flat.
I chew on my thumbnail, wondering how to bring up what I want to ask her.
“Gigi, what would you have done if Grampa walked away after you kissed him the first time?”
She gives me a curious look. “I don’t know. He didn’t walk away.”
I smile. That was such a Gigi answer. “I know that, but what if he did?”
“I would've been devastated,” she says simply. “But I still would've kissed him. Because I had to know.”
“Wouldn't it have been hard, though?”
"Of course it would've been hard. But if I didn't take that chance, how would I have known he was the one?"
“Right,” I say, contemplating her words.
“Are we talking about somebody in particular?”
I shake my head. “No. Just curious.”
I think about her words as I drive home. About taking a chance.
None of the other forty-nine kisses ever felt like risks. I was just trying to break the curse. Of course the rejection pinched, but it was never devastating. I’ve never cried myself to sleep over one.
But what if I take a risk and it doesn’t work and the rejection is more than I can handle?
I’m not sure I want to find out.
Chapter 20
PR Tip #83:Momentum is fragile. Treat it like it could disappear tomorrow.
The next morning, I pick up Luke and drive us back to Silverline Studios, but this time instead of a long day of interviews, we’re in the large conference room with Victoria and Paul.
I’m not sure what’s worse.
Once again, Victoria’s presence is unnerving, and Paul isn’t offering much. That seems to be his MO. I’m starting to wonder why he even comes to these meetings.
I’m here with Bailey, as per Victoria’s request, and Luke and River are sitting across the table from us.
It’s our first in-person meeting since that first disastrous one where Victoria laid into all of us and threatened our jobs, and the vibes are definitely different this time. I’m not feeling quite as intimidated and worried as I was before.
Okay, I’m still feeling intimidated. I don’t think it’s possible to be around Victoria Chen and not feel that way.
But the vibes are definitely different between Bailey and River. Especially compared to the last time we were here, when Bailey was staring at the table and River at the floor. Now they keep catching each other’s eye, little knowing smiles passing between them.
Victoria clears her throat. She has her glasses on and is looking at a piece of paper she brought with her. She peers over the top of it at Luke, then at me.
“The numbers are looking good,” she starts. “Engagement is up, sentiment is positive, behind-the-scenes content is working.”
I try not to smile, because that felt like a whole string of compliments coming from her.
