The Winner Takes All (Complete Collection)

34. No More Arm Candy

34

NO MORE ARM CANDY

Hunter

I walk into the reception with my date, photographers snapping our picture the second we step into the glittery ballroom.

The room is stuffed with athletes, execs, members of the press, advertisers, marketers, and anyone and everyone it seems.

Pop music plays from a DJ in the corner. The song is William’s “I Said Someday,” and I nudge Nate. “That’s our guy.”

“Sure is,” Nate says.

This feels a little like Vegas again—the lights, the energy, the music. Maybe we’ll go out on a high note. Have a fantastic final night here.

As an associate producer, I’ve rarely attended fetes like this. But now I feel like I’ve earned my way past the door. Especially when Ilene flags me down. “Hunter! So glad you’re here,” she says as she arrives by my side seconds later.

“Me too,” I say.

Then she says hi to Nate. “Can I steal Hunter from you?”

“Go right ahead,” he says.

This is such a new feeling for me. To belong. I give Nate a quick smile and he mouths, Go get ’em .

For the next hour, there’s champagne and hors d’oeuvres. There’s music and laughter. There are intros, and hellos, and you must meet this person s .

I barely see Nate.

Ilene has taken me under her wing, showing me around the reception, introducing me to Webflix producers and executives.

“This is Robert Walsh. He’s the genius who acquired TJ Hardman’s Top-Notch Boyfriend ,” she says.

“Ah, the movie was fantastic. Jude Fox and Christian Laird were brilliant, but so was the script,” I say.

“That one was a doozy to make, but when it finally came together it was magic,” Robert says, then gives a chef’s kiss. “Are you interested in scripted shows?”

Ilene wags a finger at him. “Now, now. Don’t try to steal my talent. Hunter belongs to sports, documentaries, adventure shows, and me.”

I can’t do a thing but grin and go along with the pink-haired woman.

We even say hi to Bernard as he munches on a cracker in the corner. He gestures from Ilene to me. “Ah, I’m so glad you two are working together. I don’t think I can handle another second of working on American sports,” he says.

“Oh, Bernie. We’ll save you from the horror of touchdowns and field goals,” Ilene says, patting his shoulder.

“You’re an angel,” he says.

Then she scurries me away to the bartender. “By the way, in case it wasn’t obvious, you’ll report to me now.”

Like I wanted to when I first graduated. “That’s great,” I say. “I’ve been admiring your career since before I started at Webflix.”

“Back when you worked on Sweet Nothings ,” she says breezily.

“Exactly.” But I don’t want to talk about where I’ve come from. “Tell me more about the coverage you’re expanding here in Europe.”

As we wait in line for a drink, Ilene rattles on about adventure sports, cycling, European football, and women’s sports. It all sounds grand and I’m feeling good about life, especially when I spot Nate on the other side of the room. He winks at me as he chats with Yasmin.

Ilene and I inch forward in the line, and I steal one more glance at Nate.

Yasmin has moved to another group and someone else has joined Nate. I flinch as I realize that’s my father shaking hands with my husband.