I turned to Drew. “Doc, you’re okay with this? I mean, if what she’s talking about is true, you’d be sharing some air time with me in a way you’ve never done before. Are you sure that’s what you want?” I asked.
As much as I wanted to jump up and down and shout out, “Yes, pick me, pick me!” I had to consider that I’d be working with someone who had been a loner for a long time. This might not be something he was down for. And if he wasn’t, it wouldn’t work. He’d have it out for me, and I’d seen that ugly side of this business, It never went well.
Drew leaned forward and grabbed my hand with both of his. Inappropriate? Yes. Totally. Just like Drew? The unknowing bastard as Leona put it? Absolutely. “Mia, darling, it was my idea.”
I cast a glance at Leona, and she nodded, pursing her lips.
“Why?” I asked, somewhat hushed.
He slid back after patting my hand twice. “I’m not getting any younger. No, I’m not ancient, but there are things I still want to do. Spend time with my wife for example.” He grinned and waggled his eyebrows. “You’ve seen her.”
Chuckling, I nodded.
“Also, I’ve been out of the medical community for too long, aside from the general celebrity clientele I make it a point to see when needed. It’s making me rusty. If we get to the point six months to a year from now where you can take on half the load, I can do more, consult on special cases, expand my clientele, etcetera. Really, it’s a win-win. And with you being a rising star…sky’s the limit, darling.”
Man, I hated when he called me darling. It always sounded icky even though I know he meant it as a compliment.
“If, and that’s a big if, Mia is interested in doing this, we’ll need numbers, work hours, travel commitments, and pay detailed out. There’s only one more week in the month.” Millie’s voice rang over the clacking of her nails against the keys. “I’m setting up engagements for Mia now for November and December. If you want her to consider this, I’ll need your proposal by tomorrow afternoon.”
I narrowed my eyebrows, looking at the phone as if it would clarify the load of horseshit Auntie just spewed. I knew for a fact she wasn’t making any arrangements because I told her once I was done with this month, I wasn’t taking anything else on. I’d pay Max back and figure it out, though this offer was my dream. A regular spot on a daytime television program? Steady work doing something I loved? Twisting my hands into fists below the table, I prayed Millie knew what she was doing and didn’t screw this opportunity up for me. Faith. I had to have faith. She’d gotten me this far. There was no reason to believe she wouldn’t consider my best interests for the future as well.
Leona cocked her head to the side as if considering the timeline Millie set. “Fine. I’ll get my team working on it now. You’ll have it to you by close of business tomorrow.”
“Excellent. If there isn’t anything else, I’m going to bid you all adieu. Mia, dollface, we’ll chat later tonight. I’ll call you.”
“Thanks Au-—, uh, Ms. Milan,” I corrected. They didn’t need to know our little secret. Mostly because it was none of their business.
The line clicked off and I stood. “So I can get back to work?”
Leona smiled and stood, putting out her hand. “I hope we’ll be congratulating you on being a part of the official Century Productions family very soon.”
I grinned and shuffled over to the door. Once I grabbed the handle, I stopped and turned around. Three sets of eyes watched, waiting for me to speak. “You know, this year has been the strangest and most surprising of my life, but not until today did I feel like, career-wise, I was in the right place, doing what I was supposed to do. Thank you for giving me an idea of what I want out of my professional life.”
Leona pushed a curl back behind her ear and raised an eyebrow. “The question now is, do you believe that the year brought you here for a reason? And furthermore, does that mean your place is working here with us, on this show?” I could tell by the tightness in her jaw, by how straight she held her spine as she stood, that my answer meant something to her.
Without even taking a moment to think about it, I answered, “For now, and for the foreseeable future, yes, I do. I can’t wait to get to work!” I shrugged, pulled open the door, closed it behind me, and skipped to the elevator that would lead me back to Wes and the segment we were working on together. He was going to trip out when I told him the good news. I’d be staying in Malibu, I had a job offer, and at some point, I’d be marrying the man of my dreams. From nothing to something in the span of ten months. Incredible.
* * *