“Mommy is going into business for herself. I just got finished with a really big meeting and I got a contract with the studio I’ve been working with to handle their PR not just for this movie but for the rest of the movies in the franchise.” I shared.
“Mommy, that's awesome! I always wondered why you worked for someone else when you were smart enough to do it all on your own.”
I beamed with pride. Lucas went on telling me all about his trip to Disney, he is favortie rides and how he had nearly made my mother sick by forcing into back to back trips on Space Mountain.
Then my mom got on the phone to catch up. “Did I just understand the news correctly from Lucas’ side of the conversation? Did you work it all out?” she asked.
“Mom, I got everything I wanted and more. They’ve contracted with me for the rest of the franchise. I won’t even need to look for clients, they’ll be flocking to me when word of this gets out.”
“That’s incredible honey! I’m so proud of all you’ve accomplished. You are setting such an amazing example for Lucas,” she said, and I could hear the pride in her voice.
“Thanks mom! I can’t wait to see you tomorrow. I love you guys!” I said.
Next, I called Katie to catch her up. She whooped with joy. I promised to give her all the gory details, but I actually already had my first big task.
Grant’s assistant called me before Ryan dropped me off at the house to let me know what had happened with Lee. Apparently, his contract really was contingent on him not drinking. Grant had him tested as soon as he got out of our meeting, and he was nearly twice the legal limit.
Apparently, Lee had at one point been a functional alcoholic but he no longer had a hold on things. Good thing too, he had fessed up to Grant when faced with the knowledge that he was caught. If he had kept carrying on the way he told Grant he had been the last several months, he probably would have been dead in two years.
The studio was sending him to rehab. If they were happy with his progress after ninety days he would be allowed back for smaller projects. The ball was in his court now.
But now, in addition to my role working for the Falconi project they wanted me to help with Lee’s reputation. Surprisingly, he had been the one to suggest I help. He’d told Grant I “was the only one with enough balls to confront him directly.”
As shocked as I was, I was also thrilled to be helping someone who really needed it. Lee had been a great director once, I knew I had what it took to get him back to his former glory.
I was able to immediately get in touch with several media outlets to “leak” the story. Explaining how he wasn’t being fired and that he was taking a step back to deal with his issues. The studio footing the bill on a cushy rehab made them look like saints.
One reporter I spoke to said she’d be presenting her piece as “hero studio saves its director”. The press would be eating this up by tomorrow morning and Lee had already agreed to do some big time interviews to share his story once he had gotten the help he needed. Everyone would come out looking great.
When I was finally finished for the day, I grabbed a bag and headed to Ryan and Kai’s house. We had agreed to meet for dinner and a sleepover to celebrate all we’d accomplished for the day.
23
KAI
I was so freaking proud of our girl. Not only had she faced those studio bigwigs head on but she’d come out above and beyond her previous standing. She was now the head of her own PR firm, and she was contracted with Grant for the remainder of the Falconi franchise.
As Tinsley worked the afternoon away, handling all the Lee fallout, Ryan and I made plants to host our group. Everyone was coming over. Ryan’s chef had created a massive charcuterie board for us to feast on tonight. It covered the entire dining room table.
At half past six, I finally heard the doorbell ring and I raced to answer so I could see my girl.
Tinsley stood at the doorway looking ravenous in black yoga pants and a white crop top. She had completely changed my perception of the athleisure look. I was now finding myself turned on every time I passed a Lululemon.
I scooped her up into a big bear hug. “Hey there powerhouse! Solve any more of the world’s problems while you’ve been away?”
“Very funny,” she replied with a smirk. “But actually I have Lee’s little mishap working out perfectly for the studio. I’ve got Grant looking like a real life superhero.”
“That’s awesome,” I said. “Great work! Did you tell Lucas the big news?”
“Yes, and he and my mom are thrilled. I wish I could hug him right now but in all honesty, I’m just looking forward to tonight and celebrating with you guys. Plus, he’s having a blast terrorizing my mom with all the rides at Disney,” she giggled.
“Yeah, I bet!” I said as we walked toward the kitchen where Ryan was waiting with a glass of champagne for each of us.
“Here’s to Tinsley!” I said, but just then the doorbell rang again.
I went to let Thiago and Michael in. They had a bouquet of flowers with them that would make the Rose Bowl parade floats jealous. “We were just about to toast,” I said.
“Guys, these flowers are out of this world!” Tinsley, exclaimed. “And I’ve never seen a charcuterie board so big. When did you have time to do all this?”