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I open my mouth to plead my case, but she cuts me off.
“But I’m holding off,” she says. “For now.”
A rush of air comes out of me as I say, “Really?”
I probably shouldn’t question it, but I’m curious at what’s holding her back.
“Your publicist is worth every penny you’re paying her,” she says. “Your airport outburst has earned you some positive publicity.”
“It has?”
“Putting that guy in his place has garnered you a lot of sympathy and support. Have you not been online lately?”
“No, I’m kind of avoiding it right now.”
“Well, you’re trending. In a good way. You’ve inspired a hashtag urging women to call out their harassers.”
“Really? What is it?”
“Hashtag ten inches of respect.”
I choke on my own breath. “Oh my God! Um, that’s a good thing? Really? Seems sort of counterintuitive.”
“What can I say? The internet has a sense of humor. Honestly, if I fire you, I’m going to look like the jerk here.”
Ah, so this isn’t about me or even women getting respect. This is about their image.
“I see.”
She sighs. “Autumn, the thing is…I really don’t want to fire you. I believe your statement about the voicemail being old and that you and Ben were previously involved. We wanted him forSnowed Inbecause we knew it would make us a lot of money after all the fan support. But I don’t know, he reeks of desperation. What you did in the airport was really brave, and I commend you for it. And if I’m being honest, what you said was pretty fucking funny.”
My mouth falls open. I’ve never heard Sylvia cuss before today, not that I didn’t think she didn’t, but there’s not a lot of cursing that goes on behind the scenes at Home & Heart.
“I want to support you. I genuinely do. But I have a board of directors that’s mostly men and well…they aren’t crazy about your image. We could take a big hit with your next movie, or it could go big because of all this. I’ve convinced them so far that it’s in our best interest not to terminate the contracts we already have in place, but I don’t know how much I can hold them off if things don’t turn around soon.”
“I completely understand, and I really appreciate your support and candor. I want this behind me as much as you do, I promise. I’m laying low in Austin and hoping the heat will die down.”
“I’ve seen pictures with you and your boyfriend.”
I don’t say anything, waiting to see if she comments more.
“You two look cute together.”
“Thanks. He’s amazing, really.” I make sure my voice is appropriately love-struck.
Maren created a story that Jackson and I had met last year through a mutual friend, and we’ve been in a long-distance relationship, even when Ben and I were filming together. That we kept it under wraps until we knew we wanted to try to make a true go of it.
“It’s good to see you happy, even through all this. But maybe keep your public interactions a little more PG. Some sweet, wholesome pictures will probably go a long way. That kiss was a little much.”
“I will. And thank you, Ms. Davis. I promise I won’t let you down.”
“I’m expecting you not to.”
On that note, we end our call and I sit back in my chair and let out a huge breath. I have a second chance. Now I need not to screw it up.
* * *
An hour later, I’m showered, dressed, and amazingly don’t look like death warmed over. I leave my room armed with my laptop and the novel I started last night, well restarted. I’ve lost how many times I’ve read,Enemy Mine.
