“Their reputation?” Jo stared at her. “He was being a homophobic asshole. I don’t give a fuck what he was worried about.”
Emma gave a small nod.
“If anyone should be worried about their reputation, it’syou,” Jo said. “You’re the one everyone thinks is sleeping with her boss.”
Emma blushed, but Jo was serious. Emma had said she didn’tknow what the next step in her career was, but they’d figure that out, and what then? What would happen when Emma was ready to move on fromInnocents? How much stock would other potential employers put in these rumors? How would they affect the importance of Jo’s recommendation letter?
“I suppose Icanbe seen with someone else,” she said.
“No.”
Jo blinked at Emma, whose cheeks were still flushed pink.
“I just mean—” Emma started. Took a breath. “That network guy was wrong to suggest that. And you definitely don’t have to do it for my benefit.”
“It would be simple,” Jo said. “Go out to dinner with someone once or twice so the paparazzi move on.”
“If you already have dinner plans, of course that’s fine,” Emma said. She rubbed her hands along her thighs. “But my so-called simple solution to people claiming you’d be bad for Agent Silver is what made the network call to begin with. It doesn’t always work out the way you expect.”
Jo conceded the point.
“Regardless, you don’t have to go out of your way on my behalf,” Emma said. “The rumors aren’t that much a of a problem at this point.”
Her smile was stiff. Jo smiled back gently.
“I did have to have a fun phone call with my mom at the beginning,” Emma said. “Typical Jewish mother thrilled at the idea that her kid has a significant other. She completely approved, and was actually a little disappointed when I told her it was just a rumor.”
Jo chuckled, like she knew Emma wanted her to, and tried not to think about how she hadn’t met a girl’s parents since she was in her early twenties. She hadn’t dated enough since then, too famous and just closeted enough to not bother much.
“If you’re sure,” Jo said.
“Certain.”
They looked at each other for a moment. Emma took a breath.
“I want to apologize again, boss,” she said. “I thought I knew what I was doing—with the article. I obviously didn’t. I just—” She broke eye contact. “I hate what they’re saying about you. When everyone who knows you knows you’re going to be great.”
“How can anyone know that? I’ve never done this before. I don’t even know if I can.”
Emma’s eyes snapped back up. “Jo,” she said quietly.
Jo didn’t mean to admit any of that. She hadn’t even told Evelyn about her nerves. She waved her hand dismissively.
“It’s nothing,” she said. “A little self-doubt is all.”
“That’s...” Emma trailed off, then geared up again. “That’s understandable—we all doubt ourselves sometimes, especially with something as new as this, and especially when you have the press and the network breathing down your neck. But you’re going to be fine. You’re so goddamn talented—excuse my French—there’s no way you’re not going to be awesome at this, just like everything else you’ve done.”
Jo’s chest fluttered. Emma’s unwavering belief felt strong enough for the both of them. It was so new from what most people were writing about her.
“When I need the reminder...” Jo paused, not sure she could actually bring herself to ask for help like this. “You won’t let me forget?” she said eventually.
“Never,” Emma vowed.
Jo believed her.
“Do you have work you can do in here?” Jo asked.
“Sure, boss,” Emma said. “Let me go grab it.”