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Ethan’s face is dropping and I can see his defensive side emerge. “I don’t get it, Cailin. What are you saying? Things are over before they basically even started? I thought this was our chance to reconnect.”
“I’m sorry, Ethan.” I hate breaking up and this isn’t even a breakup. But I’m coming across as the one who was wrong. “It’s just that this new job is going to demand a lot of my time and attention. And I need to focus without distraction. I hope you’ll understand. It will all make sense once I can explain more.”
“Well,” Ethan says, “I guess I got you wrong.”
“Got me wrong? What’s that supposed to mean?”
“I didn’t think you would act like a summer girl. I thought you were serious.”
“You’re accusing me of the exact opposite of what I’m doing, Ethan. I’m being honest and letting you know that while I enjoyed the night at your house, some things have recently happened in my life and I’m going to focus on them. I’m purposely not leading you on for anything that’s not going to happen. I would think you would appreciate that.”
With that, I turn on my heels and storm off to my car. I replay the conversation in my head and consider calling Gemma. She won’t believe what just happened. But I can’t really confide in her either. I can’t tell her about Jax until the NDA is lifted. I need to make this announcement.
Back at home, I finish my lunch, brew a new cup of coffee, and begin drafting the social media post. I have enough feedback from Harry on the press release to draft a sample post for Jax. I send it over to the team. A few minutes later, I see a text across my phone. It’s from Jax. He texted me. All this time I’ve been waiting for an email from him, but I forgot he also has my cell.
Jax: F*ing brilliant.
I take it he likes what he read. All the anger I had over the confrontation with Ethan dissipates from my body.
Me: The press release or the social post?
Jax: You.
Trash the Dress Online Chat
Cailin:I’m having forbidden thoughts about someone…
Alexandra:Do tell. I need some excitement beyond a new episode of Bluey in my life.
Leila:Is he married?
15
CAILIN MCCALL BREAKS THE NEWS AFTER SIGNING NDA
CAILIN
You.It’s one tiny, three-letter word. Yet, it’s been consuming my mind for the past twenty-four hours. There are so many ways this word has paved a path in my life. Collin asked, “Will you marry me?” That question gave me control. My boss said, “You are fired.” That statement took away my power. Then Jax Slater, the biggest player alive, who by some miraculous twist of fate knows I exist, just texted me the most direct, intense, hottest use of the word ever. My body reacted immediately. But my mind didn’t know how to process it. So, I didn’t say anything. Jax either thinks I’m playing it totally cool, or if he was for some insane reason actually flirting with me, he might think I’m not interested.
How did I get here? I’m just a girl trying to move on after her life fell apart and suddenly I’m trying to decode text messages from the famous boy band bad boy who was on the 125 posters taped to my bedroom walls when I was a teenager.
After the press materials received final approval, I got the green light to announce Jax’s new album and tour. The media response was as predicted: every national TV show and celebrity gossip site has been reporting the news and reaching out for backstage interviews on tour. It’s a lot to handle as the publicist in charge of coordinating it all, but I get a chill down my spine with every email I open, reading each reporter’s name, one more impressive than the next.
The biggest thrill, though, was posting my new job announcement on social media and shouting from the rooftop that I’m going on tour. Literally. I found access to the roof of my apartment building, and despite my fear of heights and accidentally getting locked up there, went up and filmed a selfie video of myself announcing the news. Okay, I did text Gemma to tell her I was going up there to film, just in case I got stuck.
Gemma calls me immediately. “Stop it. This is the secret you’ve been keeping? How could you even keep this Earth-shattering news to yourself for so long? I need every single detail, obviously. And daily text updates once you’re on tour. And photos. Not just the ones you post on social. I want the full experience. Are you dying? I would be dying.”
When Gemma finally stops to take a breath, I fill her in on everything I’ve been dying to spill. Even the part about the slightly flirty text that I didn’t respond to.
Gemma doesn’t approve of my letting that go. “You should have typed something back. Like, even a blushing emoji. Anything.”
“Gemma, I’m his publicist. I need to keep this professional. Besides, it’s hard to decipher on a text if he was flirting or just really happy with the work I’m doing. I can’t let my teenage crush derail me from a really great career opportunity.” No matter how much that one word, “you,” sent a rush of warmth through my body, hitting spots that really should not be radiating during a client interaction.
“I get it. So, will you stop by and see me before you leave for tour? I want to send you off with some new clothes from the boutique. My gift, congratulating you on your new job.”
“I’ll definitely come and say goodbye. I have to visit my mom, too.”
“Speaking of making your rounds, what about Ethan?” Gemma asks.
