“Congratulations on finding real love Matt,” I smiled. “You and Melody are gorgeous together. I wish you both the best.”
He took his arm from around her waist and hugged me. “Thank you very much. I’m glad you came…Wait, you didn’t bring any paparazzi along did you? Joan did tell you that this was a private event right? When did you tell E News?”
“Stop that Matt,” Melody shook her head at him and smiled at me. “Thank you for coming, Selena.”
Matt kissed her again and gushed about their upcoming honeymoon in the south of France and their house hunting plans for the New York suburbs. We chatted for a few more minutes before they both hugged me and turned their attention back towards one another, walking off to greet the rest of the wedding guests.
I danced to every single song, accepting offers to dance from whoever asked—swaying my hips extremely suggestively, knowing that Ethan was watching my every move. I drank glass after glass of wine and was about to dance with a hot guy in a gray tuxedo, but I felt Ethan grab me from behind.
“Are you trying to make me jealous Selena?” he whispered into my ear. “If so, it definitely worked, but I can’t deal with it anymore…I need to talk to you right now.”
“Too bad,” I shrugged and started to walk away, but he pulled me into his arms and looked directly into my eyes.
“Please come with me right now. It’s important.”
“Ethan, you and I are over. Forever. Accept it. I don’t like you anymore and I just want you to leave me alone.”
“You mean that?” he looked hurt.
“Yes.”
“Okay...I’m sorry I ever bothered you tonight,” he let me go and walked away.
I watched him exit the tent and thought I would feel liberated, happy to know that I’d hurt him like he’d hurt me, but I only felt heartbroken. I sat back down at my table and watched everyone else enjoy the rest of the party—without him around, there wasn’t any point in dancing.
“Selena,” Joan shook my shoulder. “The reception has been over for like an hour…We’re the last ones here.”
I looked around and saw that every chair in the tent was empty and the catering staff was putting decorations away.
“Sorry, I guess I zoned out for quite a bit…It was a beautiful wedding, wasn’t it? They looked so happy together…Your toast at dinner was really thoughtful too. I didn’t know you were his assistant before he became famous. He’s come a long way from those Lifetime Channel movies…”
“He has,” she smiled. “And thank you for the toast compliment. By the way, I meant to tell you earlier today, but next week will be my last week working with you.”
What!
“Why? Did I make you mad? Did I disrespect you somehow? I swear, I didn’t mean to do anything—”
“It’s not that at all. I was offered a job today from West Inc. in New York so I’m going to take it. It’s time for me to pursue my own dreams you know?”
“Well, good for you Joan,” I hugged her. “I’m grateful that you were my assistant and publicist for the little time I had you. You were more than awesome…Does this mean I have to find someone else now? And that we can’t be friends anymore?”
“First of all, I already replaced myself,” she laughed. “Her name’s Heather and she’s my protégé. She’s been briefed on all your likes and dislikes and she’s signed off on the replacement clause on my dissolution of contract. She’ll meet you at the airport when you leave for California next Thursday. Second of all, this means we’ll be even better friends because our careers won’t be intertwined and I won’t want to strangle you every other day. I still expect you to be at my wedding in a couple months.”
“I’m totally there…Um, do you know where Ethan is? Do you think he went back to Boston tonight?”
“I have no idea…”
“Do you think we would’ve worked out Joan?” I tried not to cry. “Do you think we would’ve made it if the situation was different?”
“Probably. He seemed like someone who could deal with your personality, and he made you more likeable,” she laughed.
“I told him I meant what I said about never seeing him again and he actually left! He didn’t even put up a fight! After we watched all those romantic comedies where the guy has to go after the girl until she listens, he still doesn’t get it! He doesn’t really care about me! He didn’t even try to get me to change my mind!”
She sighed. “Why does this conversation sound so familiar? Oh yeah…right…Um look, these things usually have a way of working themselves out, Selena. Don’t stress about it.”
“Don’t stress about it? Don’t stress about it! That’s your advice Joan? I paid you double so you could tell me ‘Don’t stress about it’?”
“Sounds about right,” she shrugged. “What do you want me to say? Give me two hours and I’ll get him here and tie him up so you can tell him how you really feel?”
“Can you do that?”
She hugged me. “Good night Selena. I’ll see you tomorrow afternoon. Our flight is at four so be ready by two. I know it sounds simple, but it’s true…Don’t stress about—”
“Pardon the interruption Joan,” Ethan appeared from out of nowhere, looking unusually disheveled. “Can I talk to Selena in private for a few minutes?”