Page 2 of Unraveled

“Three o’clock in the afternoon okay?”

“Yes. That works. Thank you.” I took my little appointment card, tucked it in my overpriced purse, and walked out in my designer heels. I didn’t allow myself to think until I reached my car in the hospital parking lot. Once I’d closed the door, I finally let it sink in.

I had cancer.

The first thing I did once I’d managed to stop crying was dial Chad. It went straight to his voicemail. I left a message telling him to call me. I had no idea how long his audition was, but it was after eleven, and he’d already been there for two hours. I drove to his apartment in West Hollywood, hoping he’d be finished soon.

Although we’d been together almost a year, we maintained separate places because of our busy schedules and our preference for independent living. He was a year older than I was, and like me, he’d never done a serious relationship before now. We were good together, although if I was being honest, he’d been acting distracted lately. Probably the pressure of all his auditions. After what had appeared to be a break almost ten years ago in a small feature film, he’d yet to repeat that success. Instead, he’d landed a few commercials and had some small parts in television shows over the years. Nothing big. I knew it was eating at him and hoped the audition today would give him a leg up.

We loved the same restaurants, appreciated the same night life, and both enjoyed living in LA. He didn’t mind when I was busy with work, and I felt the same when it came to him. We often teased we were a low-maintenance couple. It seemed to work really well for us.

Once I parked in his lot, I contemplated calling my brother, Russ, but I knew he’d ask a hundred questions, none of which I was able to answer yet. Best to wait until I had more information after the next biopsy.

Shit. I had to call the studio where I worked. I’d naïvely thought I’d go into the office after my appointment today.

My boss, Julian, the Vice President of Operations picked up on the first ring. “Hello, my favorite social director who was supposed to be in the office by now.”

That was my boss, passive-aggressive with a lean toward aggressive.

“I know, but—” I took a deep breath. “I just found out I have breast cancer.”

“You’re joking.”

Why the hell would I jest about something like that? Did people go around making jokes about having cancer? “I can assure you I’m not. I have another biopsy tomorrow afternoon to hopefully be able to see if it has spread from the tumor. I’m in a state of shock, to be honest.”

“That makes two of us. Are you planning to take the rest of today off?”

“Yes.” I mean, I was new to this having-cancer gig, but it certainly seemed like something someone who found out would do. Or more importantly, something a sympathetic boss might offer.

“Okay. Will you be in before your appointment tomorrow? We have the Starfire premiere party next Monday.”

I was speechless at the way he was treating this news. But I also wasn’t one to shirk my duties. I had four events in the next week alone. “I understand. I’ll be in tomorrow morning. I’ll probably have to meet with HR. I’ll need to leave early for the procedure.”

My words were met with a long sigh as if I’d inconvenienced him with the news. I had to fight a new round of tears. I’d spent the last seven years of my life working for Julian as the social director of one of the best Hollywood studios. Sixty-hour weeks, two a.m. phone calls, all-nighters, ridiculous demands from clients—but all of it I’d done as a loyal employee. Right now, it was obvious loyalty was a one-way street.

“I need you to meet with Mollie Tan tomorrow about the upcoming events. It’s imperative you get her up to speed in the next couple of weeks. Not to sound heartless, but the show must go on, darling.”

He didn’t just sound heartless; he was heartless. Mollie would be all too happy to take over. Permanently. She’d been gunning for my position during the last four months she’d been there. “I will set up a meeting with Mollie.” Frankly, I wasn’t certain at this point I was interested in doing either of them the favor. Time was no longer a commodity I had to waste, and frankly Julian wasn’t exactly inspiring my devotion.

He tsked. “I’m really hoping you can stay long enough for the gala which is eight weeks away? It’s our biggest event of the year. You not being there would be devastating.”

Interesting word. Devastating.

Cancer seemed to fit that bill, although I might not even use the word yet considering there were options. But Julian threw it around as if a Hollywood party not executing smoothly would be the end of the world. Did he really believe I should delay cancer treatments for eight weeks? “It depends. I don’t have a clue where I’ll be in my treatment plan eight weeks from now.”

“Well, that’s a problem. When will you know?”

“When they tell me.” My resentment bubbled over causing me to speak up. “You know, for the last seven years I’ve worked my ass off for the company and for you, Julian. I’ve never taken one sick hour. Then the moment I need something—perhaps an ounce of empathy for Christ’s sake—you treat me like I owe you something here.”

“Darling. It’s nothing personal. It’s business.”

Right. Business. Specifically, the world of cutthroat show business.

“I need to go. I’ll see you tomorrow.” If today’s conversation was any indication, tomorrow would probably be worse.

My finger ended the call just as Chad’s red sports car pulled in across the lot. The tightness in my chest finally eased a bit—until my eyes landed on the unfamiliar blond woman getting out of his passenger seat. Who the hell was she? I tamped down on my jealousy, however. I’d always been the girl who was secure with the fact her boyfriend worked with some beautiful women. Perhaps she’d been auditioning with him.

Staying from the car, I watched him flash her a smile. He looked movie-star handsome, as always, with his sandy-brown hair combed to the side, his tan skin, and perfect teeth.