Epilogue
SIX MONTHS LATER
blair
“This has been quite a year so far, Ms. Bennett,” Wyatt whispers in my ear as we look out at the crowd of friends and family here to celebrate today. When Wyatt leased this office space for me, I wasn’t sure how fast I would be able to open.
“And it’s only just beginning,” I say.
Wyatt helped me negotiate a more lucrative severance package from TWA, leveraging the fallout of Lance’s indiscretions at the office. Turns out Naomi and her assistant weren’t his only flings. He slept with two junior agents from the TV division, but the nail in the coffin was getting caught in a compromising position in the storage closet with his assistant. He unraveled so spectacularly that both Wyatt and Jake were able to influence him to agree to honor the severance policy or contract in place, whichever is longer, in exchange for their help in negotiating his own exit package.
The severance, along with some savings, meant I could open my agency faster than expected. I convinced Naomi and Stella to join me, and we signed Sophia, Edie, and a few others. Today, we’re finally putting up the sign on the small building Wyatt leased for me a few months ago. Tangerine Talent is official.
Wyatt and Stella co-conspired to make this a bigger-than-expected celebration with some of our friends, causing me to pretend I had dust in my eye and not actually crying. I’ll never get used to how much Wyatt celebrates and cheers me on.
“I can’t believe you put all this together,” I tell him. “It’s thoughtful and sweet, and you’re definitely getting lucky tonight.”
“I can’t take all the credit. Stella did a lot of the work, but I’m sure she won’t object if you show me how much you appreciate all she’s done, too.”
Wyatt scans my face like he’s trying to memorize every feature. Then he holds me close with his arms wrapped around my waist. I want to freeze these moments. Being in his arms makes me feel wanted and loved.
I moved in with Wyatt just before Grant’s end-of-summer bash in the Hamptons. It was fast, but we both knew it would happen eventually, so why delay the inevitable? I still have my house, and we’re renting it to Stella’s friend Natalie. She just wrote her first screenplay. Maybe one day, she’ll be part of the Tangerine family.
We finally sold Edie’s project to Grant, and the surprise twist is that Sophia will help produce and star in the film. Pre-production has just started, and it’s been a blast to see it coming to life. I notice Grant has been part of every meeting, too, and I can’t decide if it’s because she’s a young new producer or a young, beautiful, single woman.
Speak of the devil.
“Blair, you’ve totally transformed this space. It looks amazing. Congratulations!” Sophia kisses both my cheeks and squeezes me so tightly that I lose my breath for a minute.
“Congrats, Blair,” Grant says once Sophia releases me, sliding in for a half-hug and a quick peck on my cheek. “This was a long time coming. I’m looking forward to watching you change this business.”
“Thanks, you two. And thanks for being my very first project under the Tangerine banner. I’m so excited to be working with you both!”
“Hey, Soph. Hey, Grant.” Wyatt embraces his sister and shakes Grant’s hand. He and Grant have been spending more time together, building their bromance, and Grant even made the invite to Manmorial weekend this year. I think Wyatt softened a bit when he saw Grant out of the Hollywood exec context and spending time with his daughter, Hazel.
Stella walks up. “Hey, Blair. I don’t mean to interrupt, but if you want to say a few words first, I’ll start passing out the cake and champagne after.”
I excuse myself and head to the back to take a moment for myself. Some days, it’s surreal to think that I can do what I love and get paid for it. I look around the room, and my heart fills with gratitude for the people in this town who have become my family.
“You ready?” Jess brushes my hair off my shoulders and rests her arms around my neck. “I brought Porto’s. You can’t open this agency without our favorite food!”
I laugh and hug her. I love this woman.
“Get out there, lady. Time to be a boss bitch!”
I squeeze her hand and then head to the front door. Wyatt notices me walking and clanks his glass with his fork to get everyone’s attention.
“Ok, ok. This isn’t that formal of an event,” I say, looking around the room with a smile stretched wide across my face. “Every single person here means so much to me. You’ve changed my life for the better, and more importantly, I wouldn’t want to know a life without you. When I became an agent, I saw a shift happening in Hollywood and with women. We were starting to demand more. It was exciting. I was lucky to find an agency that let me build my experience exploring projects where I could place women and convince studios to take a chance.
“But the past few years, it’s felt like mainstream Hollywood has been in a panic and reverting to the old ways, ways that are comfortable and don’t challenge the status quo. I’ve dreamed about building a place where I could focus on representing female talent who are dedicated to their craft, particular about roles and writing, and looking to truly shape the culture of our industry. Talent who are after roles that will ultimately help change our world for the better. I know it’s a lofty thought here in Hollywood.”
I look out at the crowd and see nods and smiles, encouragement for my dream.
“Thank you, Sophia and Edie, for taking a chance on me. Tangerine is so proud to represent such talented, fierce women. And thanks to the rest of you. I won’t name names because I know I’ll leave someone out. Your support and belief in me inspires me daily.
“And to Wyatt. I am overwhelmed with gratitude for the unwavering love and support you have shown me. Your encouragement, patience, and belief in my dreams have given me the courage to pursue this venture. Thank you for the late-night brainstorming sessions and the tough love when I needed it. There’s nobody else I’d want by my side for this journey ahead.”
I can’t hide my glistening eyes. Thankfully, I see a few others with the same shine.
“To me, the tangerine symbolizes more than just luck and prosperity; it represents creativity, vitality, and the sweetness of success after hard work.I named my agency Tangerine Talent to capture that spirit of optimism and to celebrate the vibrant journey of every artist we represent. Please join me in a toast to celebrate Tangerine Talent and the bright futures we're nurturing together!”
The clinking of glasses echoes as chatter fills the room. I walk over to Wyatt, who’s standing against the wall with his hands in his pockets. He’s got a smirk on his face that says he’s feeling pretty happy about that public declaration I just made.
“Hey,” I say.
“Nice speech.”
“Thanks.”
We stare at each other for a minute, and then he pushes off the wall and wraps an arm around my waist.
“I’m in such awe of you. I love how you push people to reach beyond the status quo, and I love the stories you are pushing out into the world. You inspire so many women, and you inspire me. Congratulations, Blair. You deserve every bit of this.”
I look around the room to take in the moment.
I wouldn’t change a thing.
wyatt
I’m nervous and excited as Blair and I pull into our driveway. The past six months of living together have been everything I imagined. Even though it was fast, we fell right into a comfortable and easy routine. The feelings we had all those years ago still burn today. Of course, some days are spicier than others, and we’re learning how to navigate the few times we don’t agree on things, but our love for each other runs deep and is all-consuming.
I want to marry her as soon as possible. I want her to have my name—and my babies if she wants them. I can’t wait until she is fully mine and there is no question that she belongs with me, in our home, at my side, for every adventure.
I’ve hidden a blanket and bottle of champagne on my back patio. The plan is to convince her to have a nightcap with me on the beach to toast our successful year. Then I can surprise her with another reason to raise our glasses.
“Let’s go out back for a minute,” I say to her. “It’s such a beautiful night.”
I lead her to the back doors, and as she walks out, I quickly open the drawer on the end table by the couch and grab the ring I hid earlier today.
“I’ll never tire of coming out here,” she says. “It’s so beautiful.”
“It is.” But I’m not looking at the beach; I’m looking at her. She turns, sees me staring at her, and comes back to kiss me.
I break the kiss and grab her hand. “Come on. I think there’s some champagne over here. Let’s go have a glass while we sit in the sand for a minute.”
“You just happen to have champagne out here?” Blair asks, looking around with a confused frown while I pull her onto the beach. I do my best to deflect the question and stick to the plan.
I lay the blanket on the soft sand and motion for her to sit. Then I open the champagne and hand her a glass.
“So, what should we toast to?” she asks.
“Us,” I tell her.
It’s now or never. “When I lost you that summer—when I left you—I left my heart with you. I didn’t take it with me. I didn’t give it to anyone else, and I didn’t think I would use it ever again. I can’t take back what I did or give us back the time we lost, but I can promise you I’ll never lose another moment with you. I’m yours.”
I dip my forehead to touch hers.
“Wyatt, I’m yours, too. I always have been.”
I grab her glass of champagne and set it with mine off to the side. Then I pull the small box from my pocket and open it for her to see. Hopefully, the look of shock on her face is a positive sign.
“I can’t imagine a future that doesn’t have you by my side, and I don’t want to. The thought of spending the rest of my life with you, building a life together, fills me with more joy than I ever thought possible. I want to be there for you, to support you, to laugh with you, and to love you in every way I can. Will you marry me, Blair?”
Before the question leaves my mouth, Blair rushes to hug me, and her excitement forces us to tumble over on the blanket. I fall flat on my back, with her resting on top of me.
She covers my mouth with her lips while saying, “Yes, yes, yes,” and then peppers my face with tiny kisses as she continues to say, “Yes,” over and over.
“I’ll take that as a yes.” I laugh and roll us back up so I can put the ring on her finger.
Blair holds her hand out to admire the ring. She didn’t even look at it before tackling me, and I’m afraid I may go down again once she has a peek. It’s a two-carat princess cut diamond on a platinum band, with two one-carat princess cut diamonds on each side, representing our past, the present, and the future to come.
The tears well up in her eyes, and I swipe my thumb across her cheek to catch them as they begin to drop.
“Happy tears, I hope?” I ask.
“This ring. It’s so gorgeous. It’s perfect.”
I hand over her glass of champagne and raise mine for a toast.
“To Mr. and Mrs. Bradford.” I pause for a minute and look at her. “You don’t have to change your name.”
“I can’t wait to be Mrs. Bradford.”
We sip our champagne, but before we finish, Blair stands.
“Let’s go inside, Mr. Bradford. I’d like to practice for our wedding night, husband.”
“Anything you want, wife.” I lean forward to kiss her and then give her a wink as I say, “Maybe we can leave only the heels on tonight.”
I know there will never be a better feeling than this. She’s my one and only. She always has been.