Why would he automatically believe I took money from Tony?
Because he’s inMinneapolis.
Of course.
Tony probably went out of his way to tell him he’d spent time with Joey. I’d forgotten that’s where they were playing yesterday and now it makes a little more sense.
Except I’m still annoyed that he would believe Tony over me.
Not being able to have real conversations probably hasn’t helped but he has to trust me. Otherwise, how can this ever work?
Why is everything so hard all of a sudden?
As much as I want to call West and let him know exactly howmad I am, I’m about to have a really uncomfortable conversation with my boss, who’s never been anything but good to me. This wasn’t the job I wanted but it turned out to be a blessing in disguise. Not only because I’m able to cook, which I love almost as much as acting, but because it would afford Joey excellent opportunities.
Now I’m potentially walking away from both, which scares me.
There are so many things up in the air in my life right now, I feel like I’m spinning in the wind.
But I’m also hopeful.
Getting back into acting was never on my radar, but now that it’s happening, I’m clinging to it like a lifeline. The money I’ll make will change everything for me. Not only will I be able to afford an attorney to fight Tony, I won’t need to borrow money from West.
Except he’s mad at me right now and I’m annoyed with him too.
“Hey, Serena.” My boss, Adele, comes in and closes the door to her office. “What’s up?”
I steel myself but then blurt out the whole story.
“Oh, wow.” She listens carefully, nodding occasionally and then giving me a big grin. “Serena, that’s incredible! You must be so excited.”
“I’m terrified,” I admit. “Leaving my good, stable job for an unknown is a huge risk but…”
“But it’s something you have to do. You don’t have to explain that to me. I have a Ph.D. in education but if someone offered me a part in a TV show, I’d be gone. Like, yesterday.”
We both laugh.
“We had a meeting a couple of nights ago and technically, shooting won’t start until July, but I didn’t want to leave you hanging. I’ll also have to fly to L.A. for a few meetings next month.”
“Honey, use your sick and vacation days. No one needs to know your business. At least, not yet.” She meets my gaze directly. “I appreciate you coming to me but do yourself a favor and don’t tell anyone else. Like you said, anything can happen, so don’t officially give your notice until you’re on set actually working.”
“You think?” I wrinkle my nose. “I don’t want to be dishonest.”
“You need to think about yourself. Your son. Do what you have to do, and then this summer, if things work out the way you’re hoping, turn in your letter of resignation.”
“Thank you,” I whisper, feeling a little choked up.
“You’re very welcome.”
We talk for another minute, and then I head back to my own office.
That’s one big item checked off my to-do list.
Now I have to talk to the lawyer I contacted, to make sure the contract includes everything I asked for before I sign anything, and at some point, West and I need to have a serious conversation about him listening to Tony.
The more I think about it, the madder I get.
And like he knows I’m thinking about him, Tony’s name flashes on the screen of my phone.