“Get your hands off me, you oaf! Don’t you dare touch me! That’s my daughter! I have every right to talk to her. Katharine! KATHARINE, GET BACK HERE! You’ll regret this! I swear you will!”
I smile as I slide my key into the front door and step inside my new house, shutting out the toxic tone of her voice with a definitive click.
Goodbye, mother.
* * *
The lights beat down so brightI can barely make out the shapes of the audience as they chat and wave and whisper excitedly under their breath, only half paying attention as a PA doles out the standard pre-show instructions — no photographs, no leaving your seat, no loud noises or cellphone use while taping is in progress. Harper and Masters are sitting out there somewhere, but I can’t find them in the crowd.
I try not to fidget as the cameras flicker to life and the crew members start counting down the minutes until the broadcast begins. Grayson sneaks a glance at me from behind the opaque wall where we’re standing, waiting in the wings.
“Breathe, Kat.”
I smile blandly. “I’m fine. I’m great, in fact.”
I hear a snort from Wyatt and shoot a glare in his direction. “Do you have something to say, Hastings?”
“Nope. Nothing at all.” He grins broadly, a flash of white in the dark backstage shadows, and the sight makes the breath catch in my throat. I haven’t seen his smile in so long, part of me worried I’d never see it again. True, it’s a byproduct of him mocking me, but that doesn’t diminish the warmth that spreads through me as I watch joy dawn across his features.
I didn’t think I’d see him at all today; producers don’t usually make it a habit to show up at press events, unless they’re the ones being interviewed. I doubt he’d be here at all, if we weren’t about to sit down for a taping ofThe Eileen Show, which happens to permanently occupy Stage 1 on the AXC lot. It’s not exactly a big commute for him; his office is about fifty yards away.
I have a feeling he and Sloan selected this as our first public appearance for exactly that reason. It doesn’t get much more strategic than having an AXC talkshow host interview the stars of an AXC-backed movie. A textbook case of one hand scratching the other — boosting daytime ratings with a big star appearance, simultaneously cross-promoting the upcomingUnchartedpremiere. Everyone wins.
Except perhaps the audience.
They actually think they’re here to watch their favorite talk show.How adorable.They have no idea they’re essentially watching an hour-long advertisement for our movie.
Maybe it’s sleazy, but that’s how Hollywood functions. Virtually everything that makes it onto a TV or movie screen these days is controlled by one of four competing media conglomerates. Objectivity went out the window ages ago.
How did Wyatt once describe it?
Nepotism. And a blatant disregard for moral scruples.
I’d laugh, if I weren’t so nervous.
The sound of high heels clicking across the tile draws my attention. A petite, impeccably dressed African American woman approaches, examining Grayson and me with shrewd intelligence. It’s jarring to see one of the most recognizable faces on the planet in person for the first time. Most people only ever witness Eileen Dillan through a television screen.
Her dark mocha skin is luminescent under the overhead track lights, her hair is elegantly coiffed in a French twist. She looks perfectly at ease despite the fact that we’re about to do a live studio broadcast — which, I suppose, shouldn’t come as such a shock, given that she’s been hosting this gig for nearly a decade now.The Eileen Showis an American institution. If daytime television had a hierarchy, Eileen would undoubtedly reign as queen.
Her smile is brilliant. “Grayson Dunn, as I live and breathe.”
“Hello, gorgeous.” Grayson gives her a one-armed hug.
“Don’t flirt with me, I’m old enough to be your mother.”
He winks. “As if that would stop me.”
She laughs. “What’s it been, a year since you came for a visit?”
“Two, at least,” he says. “I haven’t been here since the first Starkiller movie premiered.”
“You’re overdue for an appearance, then. Don’t keep that handsome mug away so long text time, you hear me?” She turns to me, still smiling. “And you must be Katharine. It’s wonderful to meet you.”
I attempt to smile back, but I’m still feeling rather queasy. “It’s great to meet you too, Eileen. Thanks for having us.”
Her head cocks sideways. “First time doing a TV interview?”
I nod.