AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Jackson’sface darkens. “That’snot happening.Ready?”
Noddingup at him again,Iput my purse on the lobby floor next to his legs.ThenIpress my hands firmly down on the floor. “Ready.”
Jacksonreaches out and slides his hands under my arms.Ipush up, and in a second of seamless movement,I’mon the lobby floor on my knees next toJackson.
“Good?”
“Yes?”
“Thata question or an answer?”
“Ananswer,Ithink.”Itake stock of my body. “Yup, an answer.I’mall good.”
Jacksonstands up and reaches under my arms again to pick me up.I’mnot sure the second time was completely necessary.Iprobably could have stood up by myself, even with all the eyes on me.Hepicks up my purse and hands it to me.
“Thanks.Foreverything.”
“Atyour service, as always.”Hegrins down at me, and he takes my hand again as the first responders rush forward to meet us.
Someonewraps a blanket around my shoulders.Jacksongets the same treatment.Andthen we’re pulled apart as paramedics pull us out the doors and to separate ambulances to check our vital signs.Jackson’sfingers pull away from mine.Andthat’s the end of one of the weirdest and most wonderful experiences of my life.Ihave a feeling thatI’llbe telling my grandchildren one day about the time thatIgot trapped in an elevator with a movie star.
Ina city this big,Iknow thatI’llnever seeJacksonWatersagain.
Goodbye,Jackson.
CelebritEYES:JacksonWatersfreed from the elevator!Now, who’s the lucky girl in the background of these photos who got to spend six hours alone with our boyfriend?
chapterseven
Two months later…
jackson
“Okay,Ithink you’re ready.”
“Finally.I’mgoing to be on the show for less than six minutes.Whydoes that take hours of prep?”Istand up from the uncomfortable little leather and concrete couch inVal’soffice.Allthe furniture in here is weird-looking, modern stuff.Noneof it’s comfortable, butValprobably doesn’t want her clients staying too long, anyway.
She’ssitting across the big, sunny office behind her enormous glass desk, frowning at me. “So, you don’t say the wrong thing and end your career?”
“Oh, right.Hey, isn’t that whyIhave you?Toshut down anything that’s trying to end my career.”ValPietrois the scariest publicist inL.A.Hergiant black glasses, red lipstick, and short blonde hair strike fear in the hearts of studios and journalists alike.Butshe’s also the best.Andthat’s whyI’vestuck with her for the last fifteen years.Shetook me on whenIhad one role under my belt and no prospects.She’scome through for me every timeI’veever needed her, andIdon’t turn my back on people who come through for me.
“EvenI’monly human.Don’tsay anything stupid.Nopolitics.Noreligion.Noclimate change.Nopolicy, foreign or domestic.Youknow the rules.Bepositive.Talkabout the movie, your workouts, your diet,Oats, and that’s about it.Anythingelse comes up, steer it back to one of those topics, like we practiced.Andtonight’s show is being broadcast live, so there’s no second chances this time.”
“Youact likeI’venever done an interview before.I’vebeen doing this shit for nearly fifteen years.”
“Yeah, and it takes one.Onetime saying the wrong thing, and it goes viral.You’retrending, you’re a meme, and then your career is over.I’mjust trying to keep you from getting yourself canceled.”
“Whatthe hell haveIdone to get canceled?I’venever harassed a woman in my life.”
“Iknow that, and you know that.So, don’t give anyone a chance to write something about you that isn’t true.Justbe careful, please.”
“Iwill.Iwill.”
“Jacks,Iknow you won’t like this.Buthe’s probably going to ask you about the elevator.”
“TellhimIdon’t want to talk about it.”
“Ican, but you’ve got to give him something.Youwon’t talk about your break-up withCarolina.”
