Page 38 of At the Heart of It
“There’s something we can agree on.” Viv crossed her legs, exposing one bare knee as her red silk skirt rode up. Kate wondered if Jonah noticed. At what point did you stop being affected by the bared body parts of someone you’d once loved?
“You see this quote on page two-sixteen from the husband?” Viv continued. “The one where he says, ‘the feelings just aren’t there anymore.’”
Jonah glanced at the page and grunted before looking up at Viv. “So he’s boning someone else.”
“That’s typically what it means,” she mused. Then she frowned and looked at Kate. “Wait, is he allowed to say boning?”
Kate folded her hands in front of her and glanced quickly at Chase. “It’s ultimately up to the network, but there’s usually more leeway with cable television,” she said. “A few appropriately timed curse words are usually acceptable.”
“Define appropriately timed.” Jonah looked at Kate. “If someone is being a fucking dumbass and I tell him so?—”
“In a spirit of love and compassion,” Viv interjected.
“Sure,” Jonah agreed. “If I tell him in a spirit of love and compassion that he’s being a fucking dumbass, is that appropriate?”
Across the table, Amy was trying—and failing—to keep a straight face. “I suppose it depends on the circumstances.”
Jonah raised one eyebrow. “How about if he’s being a fucking dumbass?”
“I suppose that would be appropriate circumstances,” Amy agreed.
“I think we’re getting off track here,” Viv said. “How about we take a look at the second couple?”
There was a rustling of pages and Kate flipped forward in her own packet. She stole a quick glance at Jonah and wondered what he felt like being here now. Did working with an ex feel awkward, or was he able to see Viv as just another body in the room?
There were no cameras rolling, which had been Viv’s idea. She wanted to ease him in slowly, despite the Empire TV team’s desire to start test shooting right away. From what Kate could see, Jonah would look fantastic in front of a camera. Whether he’d enjoy it was another matter.
“Did you find out if we can get Pete Waller as the lead cameraman?” Chase asked.
“If we’re able to start filming right away, he’s available,” Amy said.
“We’ve had a terrific working relationship with him in the past,” Kate said. “He’s very talented.”
“And he’s got that whole teddy-bear vibe about him,” Amy added. “That’ll help put all the couples at ease.”
“He knows how to get the dirt, too.” Chase grinned, and Kate tried not to cringe.
“He’s a professional,” she said mildly, glancing at Viv and Jonah to make sure neither looked alarmed.
They were both engrossed in their packets. Kate turned the page and skimmed the bio on the second couple. Roger and Abby, married for eight years with two young kids under the age of five. Roger complained Abby was never in the mood for sex, and Abby complained that Roger didn’t help around the house.
“The oldest story in the book,” Jonah murmured, taking the words right out of Kate’s mouth.
“So sad,” Viv said, trailing a finger down the page. “Sounds like they had a terrific sex life right up until their son was born.”
Jonah flipped to the next page. “If by terrific you mean they both enjoyed dressing up in animal costumes and humping each other in public places, you’re right on the money.”
Viv glanced at Chase. “Is humping better than boning? Because I think either would be better than fucking, but I want to make sure we’re all on the same page here.”
“All depends on who’s doing it, babe,” Jonah muttered as he flipped to the next page.
Kate felt her face start to heat up, and she was grateful both Viv and Jonah had their eyes glued to the words on the paper as Chase muttered something about fine-tuning language preferences at a later time.
“There’s nothing wrong with the animal costumes,” Viv said. “Furries are becoming more mainstream every day, and it’s important for these two to have a shared passionate interest,” Viv pointed out. “One we should help them to rekindle.”
Jonah looked up and locked eyes with Kate, and she felt a lightning bolt hit her straight in the libido. “Did you guys go out of your way to pick freaks and drama queens?”
“Judgment, Jonah,” Viv sang again, but Jonah ignored her.
