Brown-Eyed Girl (Travises 4)

“Did you see it?” I asked as soon as Jasmine said hello.

“Yes, you hot shit. I saw it.”

That surprised a laugh out of me. “You didn’t hate it?”

“It was fabulous. Like a perfectly timed sitcom. You owned the screen. You and that little dog – what’s her name?”

“Coco.”

“I never knew you were a dog person.”

“I didn’t either.”

“The part with the cake – did you plan that?”

“Good Lord, no. I’ll never live it down.”

“You don’t want to live it down. You want to do more of that.”

I frowned, puzzled. “What?”

“Remember that opportunity I told you about a while back, the one for Rock the Wedding?”

“The Trevor Stearns show.”

“Yes. I sent them your résumé and portfolio, and the video, and never heard back from them. They’ve interviewed dozens of candidates, and as far as I know, they’ve auditioned three. But they’re not one hundred percent happy with any of them, and Trevor is going to freak out if they don’t find someone soon. The host not only has to be capable of the job, she also has to have the thing. That quality that makes it impossible to take your eyes off her. So a couple days ago, one of the producers, Lois, saw the YouTube video, with you and – sorry, what’s the dog’s name again?”

“Coco,” I said breathlessly.

“Right. Lois saw that and sent the link to Trevor and the others, and they died. They took another look at your résumé, and now they think you’re exactly what they’ve been looking for. They want to meet you. They’re going to bring you up here for an interview.” Jasmine paused. “You’re quiet,” she said impatiently. “What are you thinking?”

“I can’t believe it,” I managed to say. My heart was pounding.

“Believe it!” Jasmine cried triumphantly. “Now that I’ve told you, I’ll give your contact info to Lois, and she’ll arrange a flight. Trevor’s in L.A., but the Rock the Wedding producers are in Manhattan, and they’re the ones you’ll talk to initially. We’ll have to get you an agent – we won’t be able to find anyone in time for the first meeting, but that’s okay at this stage. Don’t make any commitments or promises. Just let them get to know you, and listen to what they have to say.”

“They don’t need to fly me to New York, if they can wait a few days,” I said. “I’m coming up next Wednesday for a dress fitting with one of my brides.”

“You were coming here and you didn’t mention it?”

“I’ve been busy,” I protested.

“I’m sure you have. How are things with Joe Travis, by the way?”

I had told her recently about my relationship with Joe, but I hadn’t explained how I really felt about him… the deep tenderness and happiness and fear, and the painful ambivalence I felt about becoming ever more dependent on him. Jasmine wouldn’t have understood. When it came to her own love life, she chose relationships that were convenient and ultimately disposable. Falling in love was something she didn’t allow herself. “Love doesn’t care if you get your work done,” she had once told me.

In response to her question, I said, “He’s divine in bed.”

I heard her familiar husky laugh. “Enjoy that hot Texas stud while you can. You’ll be moving back to New York soon.”

“I wouldn’t count on that just yet,” I said. “Trevor and his people will probably end up deciding not to cast me. Also… there’s a lot for me to think about.”

“Avery, if this works out, you’ll be a celebrity. Everyone will know you. You can get the best table at any restaurant, the best tickets, a penthouse apartment… what is there to think about?”

“My sister is here.”

“She can move up here too. They’ll find something for her to do.”

“I don’t know if that’s what she would want. Sofia and I have worked hard to build this business. It wouldn’t be easy for either of us to abandon it.”

“All right. Do your thinking. In the meantime, I’m giving Lois your info. And I’ll see you next week.”

“I can’t wait,” I said. “Jazz… I don’t know how to thank you for this.”

“Don’t be afraid of this chance. It’s the right thing for you. New York is where you belong, and you know it. Things are happening up here. Bye, sweetie.” She ended the call.

Sighing, I plugged my phone back into its charger. “Things are happening here too,” I said.

Twenty

“I’ve always known you were meant for something like this,” Sofia said after I’d told her about Jazz’s call. Her reaction to the news had been similar to mine: She seemed a little shaken but excited. She understood the potential of such an opportunity, what it could mean. Shaking her head slowly, she looked at me with wide eyes. “You’re going to be working with Trevor Stearns.”

“It’s just a possibility.”

“It will happen. I can feel it.”

“I would have to move back to New York,” I said.

Her smile dimmed a little. “If you do, we’ll make it work.”

“Would you want to come with me?”