Chapter 33

Kane

I’m not sure what to think as Sasha and I wait outside in the reception area of Ryan’s office. This could go any number of ways, and I have no clue how it'll end up.

Sasha is certain that we’ve just been called in to be fired. I can’t say that I disagree. Ryan made it clear on more than one occasion that anyone and everyone is replaceable. Look at Alberta. She was one of the stars of the show, but now her character has been killed off. It can happen to anyone at any time. You can never get too comfortable when it comes to your place in the entertainment industry.

A moment later, Ryan appears in the doorway and invites us into his office. His face is a mask. I can’t get a read on what he’s thinking at all, and I’ve known the guy a long time.

“So,” he begins, “you broke my biggest rule.”

I sigh and rub my hand over my jaw. Yeah. It’s not going to go well. I should've known. Ryan is a stickler for that fucking rule.

“Do you know what happened when Alberta went nuclear and blasted that sex tape all over the Internet?”

I glance at Sasha, wishing she didn’t have to listen to this. She’s already devastated enough. Her shoulders slump slightly, and I wrap my arm around her, pulling her closer to me. At least now we don’t have to hide anymore. I want anyone and everyone to know that Sasha is my girl.

Ryan smiles indulgently, not even seeming to care that we’re practically flaunting the fact that we broke his cardinal rule. What’s that about?

“I’ll tell you what happened,” he continues, his smile growing. “Our ratings went through the roof. Everyone loves you two. From the minute the two of you appeared in an episode together, the fans have loved it. That chemistry is insane and they can’t get enough. Well, more people tuned in to see the finale than ever. We made television history. Everyone knew ahead of time that the scene where you had sex was real, and they wanted to see it. Sure, there was an FCC fine. But we more than made up for it in ratings and sponsors clamoring to get a piece of the action. You can’t make TV that good. It was perfect, and I owe it all to you two.”

I want to stick my finger in my ear and wiggle it around to make sure I’m not hearing things. Is Ryan actually praising us? About us breaking his rule?

But it makes sense. What was it I said before? The only thing more important to Ryan than his precious rule is ratings. He lives and dies by them. And apparently record-breaking ratings are enough to win him over.

“The network loves it, you two.” Ryan is practically beaming. “And so do I!”

I want to laugh; it’s so absurd. But I’m also thrilled. This couldn’t have gone any better.

Sasha looks up at me in disbelief. She fully expected to get axed when we came in here. And now she’s finding out that isn’t the case at all.

“You two are going to be the hottest thing on TV next season. And this murder mystery is going to be great. Really, I should be thanking you both.”

It’s like we’ve fallen into an alternate reality. But who the fuck cares? Not if it means that not only can I be with Sasha, but she hasn’t lost her job after all.

“So we’re not fired,” she says slowly, as if she’s having trouble believing it’s true, too.

Ryan laughs. “Definitely not. In fact, your contracts are being extended and your salaries raised.” He gets serious for a moment. “But promise me one thing. For fuck’s sake, do not break up. I swear I’ll kill you both if you break up.”

The three of us laugh, and I say, “I can guarantee you that’s never going to happen.” No way. I’ve got the perfect woman and there’s no way I’m letting her go.

“Well, let me give you these,” Ryan adds, extending a set of keys.

“What’s this?” Sasha asks.

“Keys to your new dressing room. Your new shared dressing room.”

I look at Sasha in disbelief. It really is like an alternate universe. One in which the “no sex on set” policy seems to never have existed.

“You know,” Ryan continues, “I think you might just need a new assistant, Sasha dear.”

She looks confused. “What? No, I’m perfectly happy with Laurel. Truly.”

He smiles. “That may be the case, but I think you’ll soon find Laurel too busy. I’ve decided to hire her for the writing team since it was her idea to kill off Alberta’s character. That was the best idea anyone’s had in years.”

That’s the truth if I’ve ever heard it. This is all so amazing. There’s only one thing I can think of that could make this day any more perfect.

I look down at Sasha and give her a little wink. “What do you say we go check out that new dressing room?”