Something to Talk About(18)

“You should’ve,” Jo agreed. “The rumors of our supposed relationship will drag on now. As will the belief that I can’t do my job.”

Emma huffed at that. “You can,” she said. “That was the point!”

“As I told you, the people who matter know I can,” Jo said. “I’ve got a contract already signed with the people who matter. All you’ve done is make them second-guess themselves.”

Emma’s eyebrows knit together, her mouth turning down.

“I’m so sorry, boss,” she said. “I promise nothing like this will happen ever again.”

Jo had already known that from the dejected way Emma had walked into her office. It made her want to comfort her assistant when she was supposed to be dressing her down. Emma’s earnest belief in her meant a lot, actually, even if it didn’t manifest itself well.

She considered telling Emma that her indiscretion wouldn’t have been such a problem if it weren’t for a bigger issue: that second article. If Emma didn’t talk to the reporter herself, there was a leak. A real leak, not just her assistant trying to make her look good. That was something Jo was going to have to deal with at some point.

Emma didn’t need to know that, though. It would only serve to make her feel more guilty, and she obviously felt guilty enough.

“I do appreciate it, you know,” Jo found herself saying. “How you think I’ll do a good job with the movie.”

It felt heavier than she meant it.

“I know you will, boss,” Emma said.

Maybe Jo should’ve had her close the door after all.



* * *



—

As expected, Emma’s misguided attempt to help had hurt instead. The rumors swirled harder, the articles taking on a cruel edge. The network scheduled a phone call with Jo the next week. She knew it wasn’t going to be good news, and indeed, they opened the conversation with “We wanted to touch base regarding these rumors.”

While one of the execs droned on, Jo muted her side of the call.

“Emma!”

Her door was closed, but Emma came right in.

“Yes, boss?”

Jo pointed to the phone, where the guy was doing everything he could to avoid saying the word lesbian. “This concerns you,” Jo said. “If you’re interested in listening in.”

“It all seems a little inappropriate,” said John or Dave or whatever his name was; Jo could not for the life of her remember. “An assistant and a showrunner.”

Emma’s eyes widened. She sat down on the couch.

Jo held her finger to her lips, then unmuted the phone. “I agree it would be inappropriate were there anything between us. But there’s not.”

“Why don’t you just say that?”

“I’ve never commented on my love life,” Jo said for what felt like the fortieth time. “To do so now would be tacky. And offensive, as this is the first time a prolonged rumor has concerned me and a woman.”

Jo considered flat-out calling them homophobic, but the hint should work well enough. Emma pressed her lips together, her palms resting flat on her thighs.

“Is the rumor affecting our ratings?” Jo asked like she didn’t know the answer. It might be affecting her personal reputation, but the show was doing well, averaging two-tenths higher than last year.

“Well, no, but—”

As Josh or Dan continued about the potential issues that could come up, Jo rolled her eyes at Emma, who gave a rueful smile.

“Perhaps you could go out with someone else,” Jake said. “Pick a guy, pick a restaurant, and—”

“I know you did not just tell me I should be seen out with a man in order to quell rumors about a relationship with a woman,” Jo said. “Rumors that are having zero effect on our ratings and advertisers.”

The line was silent for a moment.

Someone else spoke up. “No, Jo, what I think Don meant—”

“Great,” Jo cut him off again. “If you’ll excuse me, I’ve got a lot to get done here. Do keep in touch if the rumors ever actually cause any issues?”

“Right. Thanks.”

Jo mm-hmmed, and ended the call.

She leaned her elbows against her desk and held her head in her hands.

“I’m going to fucking kill him,” she said.

Emma made a noise that sounded like she was hiding a laugh. “Boss . . .”

“The fucking nerve.”

“You’ve always said the network execs were idiots,” Emma said.

Jo lifted her head to level Emma with a look. “And yet they’ve never been as bad as that was.”

Emma shrugged. “They’re worried about their reputation. It’s not a big deal.”

“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’s you,” Jo said. “You’re the one everyone thinks is sleeping with her boss.”

Emma blushed, but Jo was serious. Emma had said she didn’t know 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 from Innocents? How much stock would other potential employers put in these rumors? How would they affect the importance of Jo’s recommendation letter?