Page 48 of Some Kinda Romance

Relieved that she was on her way, I did my shopping, looking forward to a night of relaxing and unwinding. I could really use it. It had been months since Julie and I had gotten around to something like this.

Especially this week though, it would be the perfect distraction. Outside of the insane men in my life, Diana’s wedding was only one month away and I was extremely stressed about it. It was the first real high-profile wedding I had handled personally, and if it was a flop, I was toast.

If Ethan released those pictures and Diana’s wedding was a fiasco, I wasn’t just toast. I was burned-to-a-crisp, shatter-when-you-try-to-butter-it toast.

I let out a long breath before I filled my lungs with oxygen once more. Despite how I’d spoken to Ethan, I really was worried about what would happen if he released those pictures. I knew I couldn’t stop it now and I also knew that I’d never really had the power to, but not knowing when the bomb was going to drop sucked.

By the time I walked into my apartment, I was even readier than I had been before to kick back, relax, and forget about absolutely everything. Julie arrived just after I had, blowing into the penthouse with bulging bags that she rushed to the kitchen.

She tossed me a grin over her shoulder. “Hot nachos with extra cheese. Come get it while it’s hot.”

I went over to the fridge and pulled out a bottle of white wine. “I’ve got the drinks covered. I’ve also got ice cream for when we’re done eating, but before that, we’ve got cold cuts, crackers, and cheese to work our way through as well.”

She sighed dreamily. “This is going to be the best night ever.”

I was about to agree when my phone rang, and I frowned when I saw the number on the screen. “It’s Worldly Production Studios. I’d better get this.”

“Worldly? Wow. I wonder what they want.”

I shrugged and answered, pressing the device against my ear. “This is Serenity.”

“Serenity, hi,” an overly familiar female voice said on the other end of the line. “This is Janet calling from Mr. Ward’s office. Do you have a minute to discuss a new show we’re looking at you for?”

I breathed out a quiet exhale. “I’m really focusing on my events-coordination business right now, but thank you for thinking of me.”

“Mr. Ward said you’d say that.” She chuckled. “At least just let me give you the elevator pitch. I’m not really at liberty to give a lot of details about it at the moment anyway, so it will be quick.”

“Okay,” I agreed reluctantly, dragging the word out a bit. “Let me have it.”

“We’re in the planning phase of a new reality show,” she started excitedly. “If you agree to come onboard, you’d be living in a co-ed space, on the beach in Miami for filming. Doesn’t that sound amazing?”

“It really does,” I said sincerely. “Unfortunately, I really am currently focusing all my energy on my company. I’m sure the show is going to be brilliant, though. Good luck. I look forward to watching it.”

“I hear you, but I’ll make you a counteroffer,” she said quickly. “How about you just think about it a little bit more and we’ll call you back soon to see what you’ve decided? You’d get a ton of exposure from it and Worldly’s reputation is excellent. Anyone who works with us goes on to do great things.”

I wished I could argue, but I couldn’t. They were one of the biggest production studios in the world and whatever they touched had been turning to gold for the last few years. “I’ll think about it.”

“Wonderful. I’ll talk to you soon, Serenity. Really do consider it though, okay?”

“Yeah. Okay. Thanks, Janet.” I hung up the phone, feeling a little dazed but not altogether opposed to considering the opportunity.

Julie gave me a look and grinned. “Well, I’m ordering some champagne through Doordash, then.”

“There’s nothing to celebrate yet,” I said. “I only told her I’d think about it. I haven’t said yes. What’s the champagne for?”

She winked as she pulled her phone out of her back pocket. “Life is worth celebrating, my friend, but in this case, it’s also worth celebrating that Worldly freaking Productions sought you out. I know you may not do it and I know it’ll be damn hard to get away for filming right now, but shit. Worldly wants you and that’s huge.”

As I really let it sink in that she was right, a slow smile spread on my lips. These last few weeks, it had felt like everything had been going to hell in a handbasket, but if Worldly wanted me, it couldn’t be as bad as I’d thought.

Besides, once Ethan released those pictures, I might not have any events to coordinate anyway. I’d hate if it came to that, but it was out of my hands. At least this was an amazing safety net to have. More than just a safety net, it also meant that I’d actually made my own mark in the world.

One that Ethan couldn’t take away from me. Hopefully.

Julie pumped her fists into the air after tapping at her screen a few times. “Yay! We’re celebrating, aren’t we? You go, girl. I knew you’d find your groove again.”

I grinned back at her, mentally closing my eyes and praying that this really was the start of another new chapter. Not necessarily because I would do the show—I still hadn’t decided that I would—but that opportunities would keep coming to me from unexpected places simply because I’d worked hard for them and not because of who I’d been married to.

Saying a good prayer, I pulled out two wine glasses and two champagne flutes. “Oh, we’re celebrating alright, but we’re not only celebrating me. We’re celebrating us and the fact that our friendship has withstood everything life has thrown at us so far.”

“Hear, hear.”

I said thanks to whoever was out there for a friend like her. Some parts of my life might not have been going so well, but I had a friend who was always there for me. She had my back, my ride or die—and for as long as that was true, I knew I’d always be able to get back up after I got knocked down.