5. Jess
Jess
The warm glow from last night was still with me when I woke up this morning.
It had been a long time since I threw caution to the wind, and for once it had paid off handsomely.
I spent the first few minutes of the morning luxuriating in the memories of last night before I texted Brayonna about what had happened.
Two seconds later my phone rang. I didn’t even get a greeting out before Bray began screaming at me with glee.
“No! No! You did not! With him? The god of a cosplayer I told you about? Are you sure? Are you lying to me right now? Because if you are lying, I’m hauling my ass down there, and pummeling you.”
Apparently, my laughter was all Bray needed as she continued the conversation without me.
“You did! Oh my god. You. You had a hookup. You who can’t pick a pair of shoes without reading every customer review, doing a cost analysis, and making a flowchart.”
“I never did that with shoes,” I protested, “and you just made my sex life sound non-existent.”
“I live vicariously through you, and you have been in a drought,” Bray lectured me. “You are the most boring, vicarious life someone could ever live through.”
I rolled my eyes and pulled out the ironing board from the closet, so I could press my outfit for the interview today. “It hasn’t been that long.”
“Mmm-hmm. Do you even remember the last time?”
I plugged in the iron, and pulled out my clothes. And that’s when my brain froze.
“You don’t even remember, do you?”
“Okay, I feel like I’m being judged right now.”
“Ha! You should feel judged, because it was post break up with Seth.”
Seth. A name I had done my best to keep out of my head for the last nine months. My right arm began to itch, and I immediately scratched at it. “Oh, my God. Are you keeping notes on my sex life?”
Brayonna let out a snort of derision. “Considering your shoe-buying practices, I’m surprised you aren’t. Complete with a cost analysis and a flowchart.”
“Okay, there’s nothing wrong with being picky,” I protested. “I like testing the waters. I want to feel a connection with someone before I just… you know.”
“So, there was a connection with this cosplayer god?” I could hear the teasing and the warmth in Bray’s voice.
My mind went back to the moment he pulled me up into his arms, and carried me to the elevator.
I’ve seen a lot of Fionas today. You are by far the most beautiful one.
A quiet, contented sigh slipped out as that delicious ache took hold in my chest, last night still fresh in my mind.
“Sounds like someone dove in without testing the waters first,” Bray teased.
“More like a cannonball,” I admitted.
“That’s my girl! So proud of you. Are you seeing him again?”
I paused, and Bray took it as a confirmation.
“You are?!”
“I don’t know.” I blushed furiously as I tried to get my words out. “I did give him my number.”
Brayonna cackled, and that’s when I heard another person groaning over the line.
“Bray, it’s not even 6:30. Hi, Jess.” It was Bennet, Bray’s loving, and adoring husband.
And with his comment I groaned.
“Oh, my God. You have me on speakerphone?”
“It is a totally viable method of communication,” she protested.
“You are talking about my hookup with your husband sitting right next to you!”
“Jess is right, Bray. You are a total sociopath.”
“And yet you married me anyway. Go do something not here. I need dirty details.”
I’ve been friends long enough to know exactly the situation in their bedroom. Brayonna perched on her bed and leaning over her phone, as Bennet stared at the ceiling.
“I’m not giving you dirty details with your husband in the room,” I declared. “Or any dirty details at all for that matter.”
“And you shouldn’t! A woman has the right to privacy about her own personal life, and you shouldn’t be badgering Jess.” In many ways, Bennet was a perfect guy. He was kind and intelligent, and Bray adored him for it.
“Bennet, as much as I love your brain, I will kill you, and bury you in the garden if you don’t shut up,” Brayonna snapped.
“I would feel threatened if you ever dug a hole in your life. Tell her nothing, Jess! Privacy is an innate right for all people!”
I let out a chuckle as I listened to two of my favorite people bicker. “Thank you, Bennet. But I will give Bray non-dirty details. Later. I need to get ready for my interview with Marlin Sinbad.”
“It’s Daniel Finnegan. Use his real name. You promised you’d give him a shot! I’m holding you to that!”
“Goodbye, Bray!”
I got ready in my “professional” outfit for the interview. I originally planned to wear my Fiona outfit, but now that I had to face off against Mr. Daniel Finnegan, I decided that dressing up in cosplay in front of the “meh” Tyrst’an might not fly for a live interview.
By the time I arrived at my interview space, the glow from last night faded.
I had a full crowd outside waiting for this interview, but my “guest” was missing.
It always annoyed me when I couldn’t start my stream on time, and I hated making excuses.
I finally got a text from his assistant saying they were running five minutes late, but he didn’t show up for another ten.
I hadn’t realized he arrived until I heard frantic whispers from across the back of the stage.
I glanced over to see the guest for my livestream having an argument with a blonde girl in a t-shirt and sweatpants.
Or at least that was my first impression.
On further inspection, the blonde girl was laughing her ass off as Mr. Finnegan pitched a hissy-fit.
I wasn’t surprised to see his attitude coming through.
He definitely fits the stereotype of your typical arrogant actor.
I went back to typing an apology to my followers about the delay.
Actors. I had dated two actors in the last eight years and neither experience was good.
I’d put a lot of time into them before realizing that by “actors,” they meant constant auditions and living on my couch instead of working .
They also “acted” like they were in love and banged any waitress who gave them the time of day.
A moment later Mr. Tight-Ass interrupted my thoughts by clearing his throat.
I looked up to see Daniel Finnegan smiling down at me.
I had seen his pictures of course, but in person I could see why Bray had told me to give him a second chance.
He wore a tailored suit for the occasion.
His shoulders were broad and that jawline and slight dimple on his chin no doubt charmed many of his soap opera fans.
His dark hair had been styled carefully to be casual, and his brilliant blue eyes looked…
actually nervous. It took me a moment to realize he said something to me.
“I’m sorry, I missed that.”
His smile grew a little tighter. “I said I don’t think we’ve formally met. I’m Daniel.”
“I know,” I said, the edge in my voice cutting through whatever polite tone I could muster. “I’ve been waiting for you.”
His face went blank. “You don’t recognize me?”
It took every effort not to roll my eyes at him. “I do. I’ve seen the headshots. Shall we get out there now?”
He stood with his mouth hanging open. Typical celebrity. He probably expected everyone to fawn over him.
He swallowed and cleared his throat. “Right. See, if we could have a moment to talk first before we-”
I stood up and forced a smile. “Yeah, no, we don’t have time for that.
You’re late, and now I have a forty-five minute interview instead of an hour.
” I flipped my tablet around, showing the comments from the fans who paid for virtual access to the interview.
“People paid to see this, and I’m already seeing complaints from people feeling short changed.
I make a living off these streams, Mr. Finnegan, and you’re costing me money. ”
“Please. If I could have a moment of your time-”
“You just did,” I said briskly and headed for the front of the stage. “I’ll introduce you in a moment.”
Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed that the blonde girl had almost fallen on the floor laughing.
I shrugged it off and walked out on stage.
I nodded at the con camera crew who were managing the production, and everything went online.
There were two overstuffed chairs with microphones near them and, to my surprise, a large screen had been placed behind it.
His publicist must have made arrangements.
It irked me that I hadn’t been asked first. I kept my smile going as I picked up my microphone and gave the crowd a friendly wave.
“Good morning, Tyrant fans! My name is Jessica Richards, your self-proclaimed Queen of the Valley!”
The crowd cheered and my irritation began to slip away. It would be fine. We’d have a quick interview, throw it to the audience for questions and I would be on my way. When I spotted Bray and Bennet in the front row smiling at me, I could feel my smile becoming more genuine.
“I see we have a full house this morning, so I’ll remind you all to play nice with each other.
We’re all here because we love Valley of the Red Tyrant, and there’s always room for any fan here.
I apologize for the delay. We had some technical difficulties, but everything is cleared up.
Now, I know, you’re not here to see me, so why don’t we jump right in, shall we?
Everyone, please put your hands together for the next Tyrst’an of Glen Orrin, Daniel Finnegan. ”
As the applause started, I stepped back so Daniel could walk onto the stage.
Whatever nervousness he had before seemed to evaporate as he moved forward and gave a small bow, only to receive a few boos from the crowd.
His smile faltered for a second, and a pang of guilt hit me hard.
I was the reason people were booing. As much as I disliked this man, I wasn’t about to endorse this behavior. I quickly stepped forward.