“We are so on the record for forever Joan! For forever!”
I tripped over my shoes and let out more bile.
“Come on Mr. Sterling,” Joan patted my back and led me to a trash can.
When she was sure I was done coughing up my insides, she led me to the elevators and up to my room. She pulled my sheets back and took off my shoes. I rolled over and grabbed my phone.
“I’m going to call People Magazine…Tell them that—”
“I’m taking your phone so you won’t do something stupid,” Joan sighed. “I’ll return it tomorrow morning. We’ll need to be up by nine to prepare for the Ryan Seacrest interview.”
“What do you think about Mel—Melody Carter? She looked really good tonight. Do you think it’s just a crush? Do you think she would go out with me?”
She pulled the sheets over my head. “Goodnight sir.”
“You’re my only friend Joan,” I sighed before everything went black.
As usual, Joan had my favorite breakfast delivered and hung my outfit for the Ryan Seacrest interview on my bathroom door.
“All of Mr. Seacrest’s questions look pretty straightforward sir,” Joan entered my room and handed me two Tylenol. “Are there any topics you do not wish to discuss?”
I shook my head. My head was still throbbing from last night and I wanted to get the interview over with as soon as possible.
“Okay great. After the interview, you’ll have two free hours before we have to head to your dance school.”
“There’s a recital today?”
“No sir. You’re finishing up your Instyle interview.”
“I meant what I said about the ‘sir’ thing, Joan. It makes it seem like we’re not cool when you do that…Is there any way we could do the Instyle thing right after Seacrest? Like, in the same area?”
“I’ll see what I can do,” she took out her phone and headed for the door.
“Wait, Joan. I wanted to let you know that I’m sorry about last night. I was really unprofessional and—”
“That was actually one of your better nights,” she smiled and walked away.
I laughed and tossed back the Tylenol.
Ryan Seacrest was sitting on the famous red interview couch when Selena and I arrived to the set.
“Matt Sterling! Selena Ross!” he stood up. “Thank you so much for allowing me to interview you both.”
“Anything for Mr. Seacrest,” Selena gave him a hug.
“Any time Ryan,” I shook his hand.
“Go ahead and take your seats Mr. and Mrs. Sterling,” a producer walked on set and began ordering people around. “Do either of you need anything to drink before we begin?”
“A water for us both please,” Selena put her hand on my lap.
Think of the exposure…Think of the exposure…
“And we’re live in 5…4…3...2,” a producer tapped on her headphones and stepped off the stage.
“Good afternoon and welcome to E News!” Ryan smiled. “Today is the first day of our New York City special and we have a treat for all of you watching at home! Newly engaged Hollywood stars Selena Ross and Matt Sterling are here in our studio and are doing their first joint interview live!”
The cameras panned over to the two of us. Selena held my hand and leaned closer.
“Let’s start with you, Selena. What was going through your mind when Matt proposed?”
She laughed. “I was just like, Wow, you know? I couldn’t believe it. I had no idea he was going to propose or was even thinking about marriage. Like, we’ve been dating for two years and I knew we were in love but…It was just such a surprise. I still can’t believe it.”
She’s definitely going to get an Oscar before me...
“What about you Matt?” Ryan looked at me. “When did you know Selena was the one?”
She’s not!
“The day we first met. There was just something about her. I couldn’t get her out of my mind,” I clenched every muscle to avoid rolling my eyes.
“Where did you first meet?”
I took a sip of water. “We met at a coffee house in Tribeca. We were both hiding out from the press.”
Selena laughed. “Back when that was a lot easier!”
“Yes. It was a lot calmer then,” I agreed.
“But now that you guys are such, excuse my corniness, box office magnets, do you feel like you have to actually schedule private time? Like, with cameras everywhere you go, do you have to coordinate a secret getaway?”
Like she would allow that…
“Of course,” Selena nodded. “A lot of times we’ll eat dinner at home to avoid having our pictures taken. And actually, last month, we literally had to get a security team together so we could get away for a weekend.”
“I see. Selena, you’ve landed the starring role in the newest Spielberg film. Do you all have plans to get married before that begins filming?”
“Well, filming doesn’t begin until spring next year so you’ll have to ask Matt,” she looked at me. “I’m letting him handle that.”
“You’re letting the groom handle the wedding planning?” Ryan raised his eyebrow. “That’s a first!”
“No, no, not the whole wedding,” she laughed. “He’s responsible for the date and the location. I figured that since he’s actually from New York and knows a lot more about the city than I do, those things would be better left up to him.”