Chapter 17
seventeen
. . .
BLAIR
“The idea there aren’t enough roles for complex women is ridiculous. On average, the Writers Guild receives about fifty thousand scripts a year, but we’re only making anywhere from a hundred to a hundred and fifty. We need a better process for finding those scripts.”
The conversation with Jess is going well. I don’t mind speaking in public. I’m passionate about this topic, and it’s great publicity for the agency. I know I’ve proven myself, but it’s a cutthroat world, so it never hurts to stay top of mind.
“Do we have enough women working in Hollywood to make this change?” Jess asks me.
“We have enough to make a difference, but we could always use more. I always loved what the late great Ruth Bader Ginsburg used to say: ‘We’ll have enough women on the Supreme Court when there are nine.’” I glance out into the cheering audience, and that’s when I see him.
What is he doing here?
I turn back to Jess to refocus.
“Women write just over thirty percent of all scripts and make only a quarter of all movies and TV,” I say. “Changing those percentages is simple. We just need to choose scripts written by women. Find female cinematographers and editors. Find females to exec produce and direct.”
“You make it sound so easy,” Jess says, trying to lighten the conversation, and the crowd chuckles. She’s setting me up so I can bring it home.
I smile along because this is the part that drives me crazy.
“Honestly, Jess, it is. You just have to pick through the stack of submissions and find the stories. They are out there. We’ve made significant progress in hiring practices at many agencies. Women make up almost forty percent of agents in town. We can make this happen if we want to.”
I look back at the audience and see Wyatt with an expression of pride on his face. His attention is latched on me, and I know that smile. It’s the same way he used to look at me any time I won a debate or was passionate about a particular topic. He made me feel special, like my ideas and opinions mattered. I’ve missed that feeling.
“Thank you, Blair,” says Jess. “Thank you for being such an inspiration and making it your mission to advocate to see more women in front of and behind the camera. I know, with you leading the charge, Hollywood is going to change for the better.”
Jess says a few more things to the crowd, but my eyes are on Wyatt as he gets up from his seat and walks out the back door. I’m surprised when my heart drops a bit, and I realize that I was hoping to talk to him.
As I exit the stage, I spot Grant and make my way over to my studio exec friend. I’m encouraged that he’s here for this topic.
“Ms. Bennett, always nice to see you out advocating for women,” Grant says as he raises his glass in a toast and then brings it to his lips.
“Someone has to,” I reply.
“Oh, come on, Blair. You know I support your efforts in this space. I just don’t get pitched that many opportunities to do so. Do you have anything good for me yet?”
I know he’s taunting me because he’s not wrong. He can only support what he’s presented, and as much as studios promote and advocate for more diversity in Hollywood, they are only half of the problem—or solution.
“I will soon. You know I’m working on some interesting changes to my roster.”
He knows I’m hoping to sign Sophia. Until I do, I need to make more time for him so it’s easier to pitch my projects. Almost everything he touches turns into a box office hit or critical success, and it would be amazing to work more with Wonderland Studios. They have the most talent-friendly reputation in the industry, thanks to him.
“Anytime, Blair. You know I’ll always make time for you.” As he reaches out to touch my arm, I feel another arm come around my waist. I look to my left and see Wyatt standing so close that I can see his jaw twitch as he smiles at Grant. I’m distracted by how good he smells, like cedarwood and leather, with a hint of ocean.
“Nice to see you again, Greg.”
Grant has a knowing grin on his face as he shakes Wyatt’s hand. “It’s Grant.” He knows Wyatt knows his name. Everyone knows Grant’s name. “Nice to see you two together again.”
I step away from Wyatt and give him my best professional glare that says, please don’t embarrass me, but also, please make a good impression on the most respected studio executive in town.
“Oh, no, Wyatt and I are just acquaintances. Sophia. Brother. Nothing more.”
Grant looks between us, and a slight grin creeps over his face.
“I remember. I’m one of Sophia’s biggest fans. She’s very talented,” he says, slipping back into his professional demeanor. “Blair, I’ll let you go, but lunch soon. Next week, if you can?”
Wyatt and I say goodbye to Grant. As soon as he’s out of earshot, I turn to Wyatt, frustrated that he gets me so flustered.
“What are you doing here?” I look at him, but his eyes are focused on my lips. I remember his full, soft lips kissing me for the first time and how he would always tuck my hair behind my ears before leaning his forehead against mine.
“I wanted to see you in action.” He steps closer to me like he knows he could have me if he wanted.
“So, this is a professional visit?”
“Sure.”
“Your arm around my waist didn’t feel professional.”
“Good.”
He’s managed to back me against the wall. I put my hands up on his chest to push him back, but he grabs my hands and holds them there. His top two buttons are open, and I can see the light spattering of hair on his sculpted chest. My hands twitch with the need to feel him. He’s staring at me with a longing in his eyes, but I know better than to trust that look. It’s the same one he had back then. Like we were meant to be.
I want to tell him how much he hurt me. I want to ask him what happened. There’s still a part of me that believes everything we shared, our connection, was real. I’m desperate for there to be an explanation or excuse, but I know better. That’s just my idealistic thinking.
I snap back to reality and gently push him away from me.
“I need to get back out there.”
As I turn to walk away, Jess races up to me and pulls me into a hug. “Babe, you were fucking fire up there!”
Wyatt steps back, but Jess sees him and looks at us with wonder on her face.
“Jess, this is Wyatt. Wyatt, this is my best friend, Jess.”
Her eyes grow big as she looks at me again. A huge grin escapes from her lips, and she puts her hand out to greet Wyatt. “Wyatt, so nice to finally meet you. I’ve heard so much.”
Mortified, I close my eyes. I don’t need him to think that I talk about him at all.
“Really,” he said, looking pointedly at me with a smirk on his face. “Wish I could say the same, but it’s still a pleasure to meet anyone who’s close to Blair.” He’s pulling out all the charm.
“It would be hard to tell you anything since we don’t talk,” I snip at him.
Jess pulls us both over to the bar so she can fill us in on the gossip she’s heard from socializing around the room this evening. She and Wyatt seem to hit it off and somehow become best friends. I vow to kill her once I get her alone. She should know better than to fraternize with the enemy.
As the room clears, I wrap up my last conversations and officially call it a night.
“You ready?” I ask Jess, and she turns and gives me a look I already don’t like.
“Wyatt, is there any chance you can take Blair home? She rode with me, but I need to run by the office to finish up a story I’m on deadline for.”
I will kill her. I’m going to end up in jail for killing my best friend. Who knew it would end this way?
“Of course. I’m happy to give Blair a ride,” he says with way too much innuendo, and he and Jess lock eyes with amusement. They are no longer allowed to hang out with each other if they aim to torture me.
“Let’s go,” I say to Wyatt. “And you are dead to me,” I whisper to Jess.
She laughs as she hugs me and then whispers in my ear, “You’re welcome.”