Page 80 of At the Heart of It
“I didn’t ask outright, of course,” Viv said. “I’m only just realizing these feelings myself.”
“Of course,” Amy said evenly. “But we have to ask, before we start down this path. Before we spend a lot of man hours getting footage for something that might not pan out the way you’re hoping.”
Kate held her breath, dizzy and nauseated and desperate to flee the room. But she wanted to hear Viv’s answer. Needed to hear it.
“I understand,” Viv said softly. “And yes. I have a sense that Jonah feels the same way I do.”
Kate’s chest felt like someone was standing on it. She breathed in for four seconds, held it for seven, released it for eight. The exercise wasn’t calming at all. Her lungs were on fire, along with the rest of her chest.
“I just want to go on record saying this seems like a risky idea,” Amy said. “There are so many ways this could backfire.”
Viv gave her serene smile. “Isn’t love always worth a little risk?”
Kate stared at her, honestly not sure what the answer was supposed to be. She licked her lips and folded her hand on her lap. “Yes. Yes, I suppose it is.”
“Wonderful.” Viv smiled and stood up. “I’m so glad we had this talk.”
“So you’re going ahead with it?” Amy asked. “With trying to woo your ex-husband back on national television.”
“Yes,” Viv said softly. She looked toward the window, her expression solemn. “I need to see this through.”
“Okay.” Kate gripped the armrests tightly for a few seconds, then let go. “So I guess we’ll just—” We’ll just what, Kate? her brain screamed at her, pointing out all the ways this could go horribly wrong for all of them. “We’ll just wait and see how it plays out.”
Viv stepped around her desk and leaned against the edge of it. Kate knew she should stand up, too, but she wasn’t sure her legs would cooperate.
“Chase promised to send me a few notes,” Viv said. “Some ideas about timing, and what might play best with a television audience.”
“Good,” Kate managed. “That’s good.”
“In the meantime,” Viv continued, “I’m hoping to start laying the groundwork by spending more time with Jonah.”
“Of course.” Kate swallowed. Was it her imagination, or did Viv’s gaze linger on her? Viv looked away, then smiled at Amy.
“Well.” Viv pressed her hands together in prayer position. “I don’t want to keep you two any longer. I know you had budget items to go over. Thank you for hearing me out.”
“Our pleasure.” Amy stood up, then reached down and pulled Kate to her feet like it was the most normal thing in the world to help an able-bodied woman perform a simple task. Kate said a silent prayer of thanks that her legs managed to hold her up.
“Kate and I will do a little brainstorming about what you’ve proposed,” Amy said. “Maybe a SWOT analysis to look at all the possible angles.”
“Lovely.” Viv smiled. “Thank you, both of you. It’s so wonderful knowing this program is in such good hands.”
“We aim to please,” Kate said a little weakly. She gave Viv the most normal smile she could muster, though her lips felt stuck to her teeth. “See you tomorrow, Viv.”
“Have a lovely night,” Viv called back as Amy towed her out the door and down the hall. Even when they were out of earshot, neither of them said a word.
They’d just reached the front door when Kate froze. “Wait,” she said. “We need to clean up the?—”
“Leave it,” Amy said. “I’ll text Pete to make sure everything’s put away. We’re filming here early tomorrow anyway.”
She ushered Kate to the rental car, stopping to grab Kate’s purse so she could extract the keys. Amy unlocked the doors with a beep, then nudged Kate into the passenger seat and ran around to the driver’s side.
“What the actual fuck?” Amy said the second she pulled the door closed.
Kate stared at her, still too stunned to process. “So she’s going to woo Jonah back.”
“She’s going to try to woo Jonah back,” Amy pointed out. “There’s no way to know how that will go.”
Kate glanced back at the house, half expecting Viv to be watching them. There was no one at any of the windows. She turned back to Amy.
