Page 78 of At the Heart of It
Kate pressed her lips together, not daring to shrug as she watched Viv’s back moving down the hall ahead of them. Did Viv know something? Kate’s mind raced with excuses, with justifications for what happened between her and Jonah.
It was just one time.
There’s nothing serious going on.
I would never do anything to compromise the show.
Viv used a key to open a room at the end of the hallway. Pushing open the door, she waved them inside. Kate looked around, feeling like a terrified fangirl in Viv’s office. The desk was huge and uncluttered, and the bookshelves held an eclectic assortment of art and reference books. An unlit candle on the corner of an end table filled the room with the scent of sage and cedar. A cozy-looking red loveseat occupied one wall, but Kate sensed that wasn’t where she should sit.
She turned and chose one of the padded leather chairs in front of the desk. Amy did likewise, folding her hands in her lap as they both watched Viv lock the door. Then she turned and moved behind her desk in solemn silence. She seated herself in a tall leather chair, her posture unusually straight. Kate watched, on alert as Viv took a deep breath and laced her fingers together on the polished mahogany surface.
“Thank you for meeting with me.” She looked at Kate, then Amy, then back to Kate. Her gaze held there for a few beats, and Kate could scarcely breathe.
“I’m sorry to be dramatic, but it’s important to me that this conversation be discreet,” she said. “The walls and doors are soundproofed in here. I want us all to feel confident and secure that the conversation we’re about to have will stay within the confines of this safe space.”
Kate swallowed hard, ordering herself to nod and look calm. “Of course. You have our word.”
Amy nodded beside her. “Absolutely. The contracts we’ve all signed have nondisclosure clauses that extend to private conversations like this.”
“That’s comforting.” Viv cleared her throat. “I spoke with Chase Whitfield this morning.”
The hairs on Kate’s arms prickled. “With Chase Whitfield,” she repeated, trying to sound cool. Trying to pretend it was no big deal that the on-camera talent was making covert calls to Empire TV’s executive director. “That’s—unexpected.”
“I know,” Viv said, nodding once. “I realize that probably feels like I’m going over your head. But I had a good reason.”
Kate found her tongue suddenly didn’t work, so she was grateful to Amy for speaking up. “What’s the reason?”
Viv looked up at the ceiling a moment, almost as though she was gathering her thoughts. Kate shoved her hands between her knees and prayed no one noticed them shaking.
“It has to do with Jonah,” she said. “Well, more specifically, with the idea of my ex-husband dating again. Dating and having sex and falling in love and all that might entail.”
Kate felt her mouth go dry. She opened it, ready to stammer an explanation, but Amy put a hand on her knee. “You mean what we talked about yesterday?” she said. “About the possibility of using that storyline for the arc?”
“Right,” Viv said. “When I sat down yesterday with Jonah and started talking about the idea of one of us dating again, I was hit with this overwhelming sense of clarity. Clarity like I haven’t experienced in years.”
Kate swallowed hard. “What sort of clarity?”
“Clarity about Jonah.” Viv drew a shuddery breath. “And the reason I don’t want him dating anyone else.”
Oh, Christ.
“What is the reason?” Amy asked.
“Because I love him. Again. Still, I mean—I don’t think I ever stopped. And it’s become crystal clear to me that I have a lot of work to do to win him back.”
Kate’s stomach lurched. Her palms began sweating, and she wondered if Viv had any idea. “I—um—wow. I didn’t see this coming.”
“How does Jonah feel about this?” Amy asked.
Kate glanced at her, grateful to Amy for asking the right questions. The questions she herself couldn’t ask without her voice trembling, her hands shaking. Amy sat stone-faced, looking composed enough for the both of them.
“That’s the thing,” Viv said. “I know I preach open and honest communication, but I’m still processing my own thoughts. Considering the best way to approach things.”
Amy tilted her head to the side. “You mean dating your ex-husband again?”
Viv sighed. “The divorce was my idea. I’m the one who initiated it. I take full responsibility for that mistake.”
“Mistake,” Kate repeated, trying to follow Viv’s train of thought. “I’m not sure I understand. What does Chase Whitfield have to do with this?”
