Chapter 1 #3
“Absolutely not,” I say instantly, and with so much force that Kendall flinches and takes a step back.
If she’d been giving me the Pfeiffer cat eye, the winged liner would be slashed across my temple.
Any attempt at tempering my reaction has flown out the window, but disguising my feelings is the least of my concerns right now.
See Ryder again? It can’t happen. I’ve successfully avoided him for ten years, and I’m not about to break that streak now.
Joanne ignores my outburst, going on like I haven’t spoken.
“It would require a week’s worth of your time next month, in August. The studio’s put together a whole slate of activities.
You’d be revisiting some of the movie’s most iconic filming locations, as well as doing a roundtable press event with the main cast. There would also be an online auction where fans would have the chance to bid on wardrobe and props from the movie, as well as certain experiences. ”
“Joanne, I feel like you’re not hearing me,” I interrupt, my heart racing faster the longer she talks.
“You don’t need to bother selling me on this.
I get it, it’s for a great cause, and the people of Seafolly need our help.
To that end, I will gladly make a sizable donation to make up for my absence. ”
There’s a stretch of silence, though her disapproval is deafening.
“I know I don’t need to explain how it will look if you decline to participate in a charity initiative like this.
The optics would be horrible, especially considering that town helped make you who you are.
Not to mention the PR nightmare that would ensue if you’re the only cast member who no-shows. ”
I spot my lifeline, and I cling to it like a raft in the ocean.
“Well, good news—I won’t be the only holdout, because there’s no way Ryder will agree to this, either.
” It’s our unspoken rule, and one of the only things I know we’re still on the same page about: the Seafolly chapter of our lives needs to remain permanently in the past where it belongs.
“Well, that’s the thing. Ryder’s already agreed.”
“He what?!”
I shoot to my feet, my body electrified by panic. Kendall’s eyes are saucers, her face etched with concern that undoubtedly mirrors my own. She’s the only person who understands just how precarious this situation is.
I start pacing a loop around my kitchen island. “This doesn’t make any sense. Ryder doesn’t want anything to do with me or Seafolly. Why would he change his tune now? Ow!” I mutter a curse as I stub my toe on a counter stool mid-lap, adding injury to serious insult.
“I don’t know the specifics, I just know he’s confirmed as attending. Reid seemed quite pleased to share that part, which tells me they must have anticipated your reaction.” She hesitates. “I got the impression that if you decline, it could turn into a public pressure campaign.”
The implied threat is clear. “You mean they’ll leak it.”
“I think so. And you know what all the articles will say.”
“I do,” I say glumly. “ ‘Scarlett can’t face Ryder.’ ” I whip open the door of my Sub-Zero and blast my face with cold air.
I wish I could climb inside and never come out.
I wish I could cryogenically freeze myself until this reunion has passed.
“Jo, I’ve spent ten years trying to get people to stop talking about us.
This is going to dredge everything back up.
” I can hear the rusty gears of the rumor mill grinding back to life, and brace myself for the return of headlines and hashtags from hell: Ryder & Scarlett: From #HoldMe to #HoldOut.
“I know. And for what it’s worth, I did try to get you out of it. Not that it did any good.”
I make one last-ditch attempt at saving myself. “Can’t we just tell them I have a scheduling conflict? It’s not a lie. Everyone knows I’m prepping for The Ingenue.”
“Everyone also knows it doesn’t start filming until October.” She sighs. “Look, I know this isn’t ideal, but I think we need to look at the silver lining.”
I bark an incredulous laugh. “What silver lining?” There is no silver lining. Only dark, foreboding thunderclouds.
“All the attention can only help The Ingenue. Think about it, every article that’s written about the reunion will mention your next project. You can’t buy that kind of publicity.” She pauses. “Also, you could use a vacation.”
I snort. Yeah, because spending a week avoiding my ex-costar-slash-first-love is sure to be just the relaxing respite I need.
“I’m serious! Look, you’re about to embark on a very intense project that will require a lot of you over the next year. I think you should look at this as an all-expenses-paid, much-needed vacation to a spot you love—”
“Used to love—”
“Where you’ll reconnect with some old friends and raise money for a worthy cause while you’re at it. Instead of fighting it, try to enjoy it.”
Right, I think with a mounting sense of dread. Because that outcome is about as likely as happily ever after.