One More Time(17)

“Boorriinngg,” Angela says, “But fine. Do you want to tell Tanner?”

“No,” I say, “You can tell him.” And with that, I’ve successfully handled two conflicts in one conversation. My work here is done.





The next day I find Tanner and Angela at a table in the far corner of the food tent. It’s a little more secluded than I would prefer, but there are still dozens of people swarming around. There’s no way someone could sneak a picture without it being clear we’re just on set, and that is not enough of a story for the gossip queens to promote. Of course we’re on set together. They need more. Mission accomplished.

“Okay,” Angela starts. “This might be a little awkward, but it’s time for the firm to develop a strategic plan for feeding information about you two to the media and paparazzi.”

“You need a strategy to leak stuff?” Tanner asks, as though he doesn’t understand what she’s talking about.

I let a smile sneak out. He sees and gives me a these people eye roll. I look away. We are not going to leave this meeting buddy, buddy.

“Yes, Tanner. The press is ravenous to find out more about a former celebrity IT couple working together for the first time, ten years later. It’s so juicy.”

This time Tanner and I both roll our eyes directly at Angela.

“I’m sorry if you don’t want to face the truth, but the whole reason the studio is putting so much money behind this film is because people want to see you together,” Angela says. “And because Jenna got her agents to make sure this would be a closed set, we haven’t released even a tid-bit of info. Rumors are going to start to spread on their own. And it would be so much better if we were the ones spreading the rumors, wouldn’t it?”

“You made this a closed set in your contract?” Tanner asks me directly. He seems shocked and maybe a little disappointed.

“Yeah,” I say. “It’s my first major role. My agent and I wanted to maintain control.”

“Interesting…” Tanner says.

“Excuse me?” I fire back.

“Okay kids. Let’s not fight.” She reconsiders. “Unless you’re willing to do it on camera…”

“No!” we both say. At least we’re on the same page there.

“Wow. Alright. Calm down. Just a suggestion. Let’s focus on answering some questions,” Angela says. “Jenna, you first. Who have you been dating since you and Tanner broke up?”

I’m silent for a second. I don’t want to go back on my decision to keep everything that happens on this set a secret. Carrie fought hard for that deal in my contract negotiations, but the last thing I want are rumors that I can’t control.

Maybe Angela is right? Maybe it’s better to confess a few simple facts to feed the beastly publicity machine.

“That’s a lot of years to cover,” I say, slowly, trying to decide what to admit. “I was with Derrick Aster, the model, for two years. Other than that, no one special. I’ve just been focusing on my work.”

“Cool, and you, Tanner?” Angela asks.

I feel my stomach drop. I realize that even ten years later I don’t want to have to hear what Tanner has been up to, dating-wise. We’re in the same business though, so rumors get around. I know he dated Jackie Lee, his old co-star from The Jet. She was actually a total sweetheart, which made it really hard to hate her after that news broke. I know that he also had an on-again off-again thing with Miley Banks who is not one or two but eight years younger than him, which is totally gross.

I start running through the other famous faces I’ve heard rumor of Tanner cuddling up to over the years, but my mind stops as he begins speaking.

“Well, after Jenna dumped me,” Tanner starts.

“Me? Dump you?” I jump in. “You dumped me!”

His eyes go wider than I’ve ever seen them. “You never even talked to me. You didn’t answer your phone, and I had to assume you’d broken up with me when I found your stuff gone from our apartment, because you couldn’t even deal with saying the words!”

“You cheated on me!” I yell. “Did you actually think I was going to stay after that?”

At that every head under the food tent turns. Shit. I immediately shut my mouth, but it’s too late.

“Oh please don’t stop talking now,” Angela says, clapping her hands excitedly. “This is too good.”

“What’s going on over here?” I hear someone say.

Walking toward us is Polly.

Thank god.

She’s been rumored to chase publicists off her set. She’ll save me.

“Nothing,” Angela says feigning innocence. “Tanner and Jenna are just…clearing the air.”

“To a publicist? I don’t think so,” Polly says.

I want to leap across the table and kiss her. She’s just stopped an all out war from breaking out.

Except then Polly turns her scowl from Angela to us. “Listen you two, I’ve worked on sets with conflict before. I’ve worked on sets with romance before. I don’t care what’s going on off camera.”

Now I’m nervous. This feels more like a scolding than a saving, and I need Polly in my court. Once again Tanner has put my job in jeopardy. If he hadn’t opened his big dumb mouth we could have gotten through the interview without any fireworks.