The Heartbreak Club

Fancy Meeting Him There

I arrived ten minutes late. On purpose, but not too obvious. The place was a hole in the wall, my favorite kind. No matter what you ordered, they brought mountains of delicious food.

The atmosphere was intimate, which meant the tables were spaced an inch apart. That setting could only work in New York where the party next to you paid you no attention. I couldn't imagine that place in California. I'd end up turning to the perfectly polite neighbors and screaming - shut up! They wouldn't hear though, because the place also blared gangster rap music. It goes perfectly with Indian cuisine. Sarcasm.

Caden Strong was waiting for me at a corner table. I joined him and ordered a drink, straight away.

"You look incredible," he said.

I blushed because it was true. The network really had me tightening it up. I'd been working with a trainer, who made me confess every carb and sweat it off. I had head-to-toe stylists putting my look together and I was pampered. My hair was freshly done, my nails manicured, even my skin was getting first class treatment. I simply glowed.

"Thank you," I responded. His gaze lingered expectantly. He thought I'd reciprocate the compliment. Nope. "So, what's new?" I knew what wasn't new, another season of his hit show. The series finale had already aired.

"Not much. I'm looking at some syndication stuff. I need a passion project, ya' know?"

"Yeah."

"I actually have an interview at T News." He sipped his wine.

"Oh, really? Anyone I might know?"

"Byron Hillcrest."

"Never heard of him," I jested. "Actually, Byron is a really nice person. Especially for this industry."

"I hear great things. He's starting a new show and is in need of an EP."

"Perfect timing for you." Batting him around like a mouse did not feel as good as I'd fantasized. "I really hope you get it." I decided then that I'd put in a good word, for whatever it was worth. I wouldn't tell him that though.

"Did you have a good summer?" he asked.

"You ask as if it's over."

"If only we could keep it in our grip." He clutched the stem of his glass animatedly. "You've gotta be looking forward to fall though, right? Your premier."

"Yeah. We wrapped filming," I nodded.

"So, now the network Edward Scissorhand's it, right?" He made a cutting motion. "I know it's hard when some of your best stuff ends up on the editing room floor."

"Actually, I have some creative stake, so I'm involved."

"Creative stake? In your debut project, wow. That's rare," he was surprised.

"I had a great lawyer." Oh, that made me blush. "My dad's recommendation."

"That is stellar, Emma. Wow. You're getting off on the right foot."

Actually, that was one thing my lawyer and I hadn't tried. My own thought made me choke on my swallow of wine. Play it cool. Caden's eyebrows were pinched together, he was wandering somewhere in his mind.

"Any travel plans coming up?" I asked, making conversation.

"I went home for a week right after we wrapped filming. Just to clear my head," he pointed at his temples with both hands.

"I know what you mean."

"This city, this industry," he shook his head as if knocking something loose, "it'll get you."

"Very true," I agreed. I couldn't believe my eyes. Was that vulnerability I saw? It looked good on him. Different. "I hear sharing can help you get through anything." We both snickered. I figured if Miss It Girl had broken his heart, he could join the club. Why not?

"There's some devious people out there, Emma." He looked truly disturbed. What had she done, lied about birth control? Doubtful. Instinctively, I reached for his hand in the middle of the table.

"Talk to me."

"They cancelled a hit show," his front teeth came down on his bottom lip. "You want to know why?"

I nodded. We paused to receive our entrees.

"Why?" I prompted him.

"Because another pilot came up which included the network head's girlfriend," his eyebrows raised. "She's the age of his daughter."

"Industry standard."

"It's like it doesn't matter how well you do. You can have all the skill and even success, but it's about who you know. Or just dumb luck."

A moment of awkwardness. He'd clearly "done well". Top of the class, made all the right moves and he was ousted. Me? I followed him into town, took a job he helped me get and I was about to premier my own show, with creative stake. He knew that meant I had royalties and backend profit too. My dumb luck, indeed.

I'd also completely exposed myself to the world while he was safe behind the camera. Literally and figuratively. Now, my dad knew that I hadn't waited until late in college when I found what, at the time, we all assumed was my future husband. I'd lost my virginity in the back of a car, after prom. Worse, I'd lied to him. I made up a story about a flat tire to explain missing curfew. And he'd believed me because I had his trust. The thought of his face when he'd inevitably read that (along with other intimate details) just killed me. Because of that, I didn't even invite my parents to the upcoming premier party. At the moment, my dumb luck was welling up in my throat. It showed.

"Oh, Emma, I didn't mean," he started.

"It's fine."

"No, I really didn't mean it like that. I meant the tart who used her looks to get on a show she doesn't deserve at the expense of a whole crew," he spoke rapidly to explain himself.

"So you meant your more recent ex," I said. How was she any different? The memories of being completely discarded, his hubris walking past me in the old office everyday, the two of them with their arms intertwined flooded me with emotion.

"Let's not hurt each other anymore, Em. Let me walk you home."

I looked down, one tear streamed. "Okay," I said faintly.