Page 85 of The Boss I Can't Stand
You can’t script everything in life!
Mom reached out for my hand, and I let her take it. “I don’t see how anyone could be happy that way,” she said. “You’re so focused on bracing for impact that it keeps you from ever just relaxing and enjoying life.”
She eyed me pointedly, in a way that had only ever happened a few times over the course of my life. This was Cathleen Lockhart, in full mom mode. I didn’t know how to feel about that.
“What other way is there to live?” I said, arguing against her point. If some part of me hadn’t been braced for this breakup—hadn’t planned for it—my life would be in shambles right now.
Youhadto brace for the bad things because they always came. Always. That was just how life worked, especially when it came tolove. “You took a chance on love, and look where that landed you. Dumped by X. Alone. In the hospital with a concussion.”
“So what?” she said, the corner of her mouth quirking. “You really think your way is better? I heard what happened between you and Sierra. You decidednotto take a chance on love again. And it left you in the same place. Dumped. Alone. In the hospital with your mother who has a concussion. At least I had some fun first.”
I huffed a humorless laugh. I really didn’t want to think about thefunshe’d had with X.
“I think,” Mom said, “after everything I’ve been through, I’d rather take a chance on love and get it wrong than realize I’d spent so much time planning for the worst-case scenario that I’d never even bothered to try.”
30
SIERRA
“Ithink that was the last of my questions,” the interviewer said, flipping the page on his clipboard, eyes scanning quickly.
Oh thank God. If I had to film one more press junket, I was going to scream.
“Yep, that’s all,” he confirmed. “Thanks for taking the time.”
“Thank you,” I said, reaching for his hand, giving it a shake as I felt the last of my smile crumbling.
“That’s great, Sierra!” Jillian called from the side of the room where she stood with three of her assistants, filing cast and crew through various interviews. She didn’t even look up at me, her eyes glued to her phone, but I didn’t care.
I jumped out of the foldable canvas chair—the kind typically associated with directors—and scurried off the interview set. The room was packed to the brim with promotional posters forEvery Day, a massive step-and-repeat unfurling across the wall, the background covered with the Hart of Gold Productions logo.
It wasa lotfor me to deal with, especially considering current circumstances. I was just doing my best to hold myself together.
“Don’t go far!” Jillian called after me.
I winced. “I thought I was done?”
“Brenna has your schedule,” Jillian tossed over her shoulder before muttering about Kaiden and rushing off to find him.
I took the opportunity to dart out of the room, needing a breather before the next interview. When this was all over, I never wanted to hear the wordsOscar Press Tourever again. It had been close to a week of promotional work.
I’d agreed to do it. It was a necessary part of my path to securing award nominations. But the prospect of it had seemed a lot less painful before everything went sideways with me and Finn.
Before the Hart of Gold Productions office became a pit of quicksand that was slowly crushing me. And frankly, I was having trouble mustering up the enthusiasm for any of it.
Thankfully, today was my last day. The last day I’d ever have to set foot on this property—and Ro had come along for moral support. I pulled my phone out of my pocket to text her.
Where are you?
Craft services, she replied.Everyone wants the tea on you and Finn. Are you done?
I groaned.Taking a break. I think there’s one more interview left.
Come to craft.
I’d rather not.
The craft ladies are totally Team Sierra. Don’t worry.
