Chapter 34
Chapter
Thirty-Four
Serena
Holly’s been staying at my apartment the last week so I head over there on Sunday to do a few things and check up on her.
Jayne is taking Lindy and Joey to the movies, which is such a blessing for me because I rarely get time to myself.
Jayne is becoming a good friend, and that’s one of many things I’m grateful to West for.
“Hey.” Holly’s on the couch doing something on her laptop when I walk in.
“Hi.” I take off my shoes and pad into the living room, settling on the couch next to her. “How are you?”
She lifts one shoulder. “I’m okay. Not great but doing my best to figure out what’s next. I really appreciate you letting me hide out here.”
“You know I don’t mind, but why aren’t you with your parents?” I ask curiously.
She sighs. “My father will be pissed when he finds out what Nathan did. What I allowed him to do.”
“I don’t understand what happened,” I admit. “We haven’t talked in any details.
“I know.” Holly drops her gaze. “I’ve been a shitty friend and I’m sorry about that.”
“It’s okay. We all go through tough times, but that’s when we need each other the most.”
She nods. “I’m lucky to have you.”
“So, tell me.”
“It’s complicated, but the basic situation is that he got an insider tip from a powerful client. I know it’s unethical, but he talked me into it, investing my trust fund. It was going to be a huge windfall allowing us to retire early, never have to worry about money.”
“You already don’t worry about money,” I say in confusion.
She nods, tears filling her eyes. “I know. I was stupid. In love. Easily manipulated. He took it all but never invested it, and then he tried to gaslight me by saying I knew it was risky.”
“But isn’t there a paper trail?”
“There is—right into his bank account. Where it went from there, who knows? And I initiated the transfer in person at my bank, so it’s not like I can say he stole it. For all intents and purposes, I gave it to him.”
“Oh my God. Holly.” I stare at her in horror. “All of it?”
“The whole thing.” She closes her eyes. “When my father finds out, he’s going to disown me.”
“Honey, I’m so sorry.” I reach out and hug her tightly. She rests in my arms, softly crying against my shoulder.
“I’m so stupid,” she whispers. “It’s my own fault. I thought…I don’t know what I thought. He’s so awful to literally everyone except my parents and me. Well, most of the time, me. There were a million red flags, but I ignored them all.”
“What are you going to do?”
“I’ve got interviews lined up next week. You know he talked me into quitting my job so I could plan the wedding of the year, but now I need to get back to work immediately. And maybe, if I’m lucky, I can save up.”
“It’s going to take a long time to save millions of dollars,” I whisper.
“I know.” She pulls away, rubbing her eyes. “But all I can do is put one foot in front of the other.”
“You can stay here as long as you need,” I promise.
“Thank you.” She manages a wobbly smile. “So, how’s West?”
My smile is genuine. “Amazing. Things are really good. We had a very basic version of the relationship talk on the phone yesterday, and we’re both on the same page.”
“That’s awesome! You deserve it, Serena.”
“Yeah, but now Tony’s making noises about wanting to be in Joey’s life,” I say with a scowl. “I don’t know how that’s going to go.”
“And technically, you can’t stop him.”
“No.”
“What are you going to do if he wants shared custody?”
“I don’t know, but the fact that he’s been absent up until now will hopefully be a point in my favor if we go to court.
He offered me money, but I don’t want it.
If he wins visitation of some kind, then he’ll definitely have to pay back child support, but unless it’s through official channels, I’m not taking shit from him. ”
“Good for you.”
My phone rings, and I fish it out of my purse.
Norm.
I’ve already told him I’m not moving to L.A., and while he was disappointed, he understood, so I can’t imagine what he wants.
“Sorry, I have to take this,” I tell her. “Hi, Norm.”
“Serena!” He sounds excited. “I have incredible news.”
“Oh?” I’m intrigued.
“There’s been a change in plans. This just happened today, and I called you the minute I heard from the producers.”
“What’s going on?”
“Well, there are going to be quite a few animals in the show, and it turns out the laws in Georgia are much more relaxed in that regard. The animals can work longer hours and there’s just a lot less red tape.
On top of that, the original series was filmed outside Atlanta and it turns out they can use the same set, which saves money.
I think there’s more to it, but none of that is what’s important.
What’s important is that they’re going to film in Atlanta!
Serena—they’re doing a Zoom call with the original cast and want you involved.
Are you available tonight around eight your time? ”
“Of course,” I reply automatically.
My head is spinning, and I’m so excited I can barely breathe.
Filming in Atlanta changes everything.
I have a million questions but I can’t articulate any of them.
“And I know your financial situation is precarious, so I told them you’d need a guaranteed number of episodes, even if the show is canceled. Serena, they didn’t even hesitate.”
I blink.
That’s the opposite of my experience in Hollywood. Usually only really big names have that kind of power.
“I don’t understand,” I say finally. “Why are they being so nice to me?”
“Between you and me? The show went downhill after you left. That’s one of many reasons it was canceled. No one liked the new storyline. And George Simmons really likes you—in fact, he’s going to call you before the Zoom meeting. Is it okay if I give him your number?”
“Yes, of course.” George was one of the executive producers of the show, and we were always friendly.
Not in a creepy way—he’s in his sixties and happily married—but he was a mentor.
I was disappointed when he didn’t go to bat for me when I found out I was pregnant, but I haven’t thought about him in ages.
“Look, I have to go, but I need to know what you want me to do. Do I pursue this for you?”
“Norm, here’s the deal—I can’t quit my job for a maybe. I need to know the filming schedule and exactly how much money we’re talking. I have a kid to think about.”
“I know and I’m going to handle that. Trust me—they want you and are willing to do anything reasonable to get you on board.”
“I’ll need an advance,” I say automatically. “And I want it in writing that I’ll be paid for ten episodes, even if we’re canceled after six. I know that’s not standard, but those are my terms.” My heart is pounding because this truly isn’t how it works but once in a while, exceptions are made.
“Got it. I’ll be in touch.” He disconnects, and I just sit there for a moment, staring at the phone.
“What just happened?” Holly demands.
“I think I might be going back to acting,” I whisper, completely overwhelmed.
Then I burst into tears.
“Oh, honey, don’t cry.” She hugs me again, laughing against my hair. “This is amazing news—it’s everything you never dared to dream about.”
“But I don’t understand,” I whisper. “Why do they want me after all this time?”
“Who knows? Someone wants to sleep with you. Someone made a bet that a reboot would fail and now it’s a pissing contest. But who cares what’s going on behind the scenes?
Even if it’s something like that, take the money and get yourself back in front of people!
You were popular, talented, and had fans. This could be your second big break.”
“I know.” I’m dying to call West, but he’s on a plane at the moment, so it’s going to have to wait.
Besides, it’ll be better if I can surprise him once the contract is signed.
“It’s going to be okay,” Holly says warmly, squeezing my hands. “You’ll see.”
“I really hope so.”
An hour later, my phone rings again as I’m on my way back to West’s house.
“We’ve got a deal, baby doll!” Norm yells into the phone. “They’re going to wire you the advance this week. This is happening, Serena. I’m going to overnight you a bunch of documents—do you need an attorney?”
“Absolutely.”
“Let me send you some names.”
He rattles off a bunch of information, but I’m barely listening.
This is happening and I don’t know if I’m more excited or afraid.
I haven’t acted in four years. I’m the same weight I was before I got pregnant but my body’s shaped a little different. My hair is shorter. I’m older. And even five years can make a difference in Hollywood.
What if I don’t look the same on camera?
What if Roland—the actor who played Henry, my love interest—and I don’t have the same chemistry?
I’ve suddenly got a million questions, a dozen things to do, and I can’t imagine the conversation I’m going to have with my boss. She’s not going to be happy.
One step at a time.
Once I sign the contract, I’ll talk to West and I know he’ll soothe my ruffled feathers. If anyone can talk me off the ledge, it’s him.
After all, he told me he would be my person.
I’m starting to believe it.