2:27 AM
Liza blinked sleepily, turning her head to check the time on the alarm clock on Charles's bedside table. The covers on his side of the bed were still smooth, still untouched. She leaned her head back onto the pillow, massaging her temples. She thought her head might explode. She was angry and upset, but most of all she was worried.
After Charles had shown her that picture, they had both stood in the kitchen for a few moments in stunned silence. She had a million questions, but Charles had grabbed the manuscript and muttered something about "need to read this and call Bob." He had taken the papers and disappeared into his study before Liza could even respond. She just stood there, looking down at the framed picture in her hands. In it, Charles and Paula, sorry, Pauline, had their arms wrapped around each other, their faces pressed against each other. They each held one of the girls to them. Judging by the ages of the kids, it had been taken 2 or 3 years ago. They look like the perfect family, Liza thought, tears stinging at her eyes.
She had gone to knock on the door to the study but had hesitated even as her hand lifted to rap on the heavy wooden door. Instead, she paced around the first floor of the house. She tidied, fluffed pillows, emptied the dishwasher. She gathered her shoes and her bag, unsure if Charles would want her to stay or want to be alone tonight. She finally settled into a chair by the front window. She pulled her knees up to her chest, staring out onto the street and trying to sort out her thoughts.
"Liza?" She heard him call softly. She turned her head and stood up, crossing to where he stood in the hallway. "I wasn't sure if you were still here."
"I'm not leaving unless you want me to, Charles. You shouldn't have to be alone." He pulled her to him, wrapping his arms around her. "I'm sorry for that abrupt exit. But I read the chapters." Liza pulled back, looking up at him.
"It must have been awful to have your life mischaracterized this way. I can't believe that she did this."
He sighed. "Actually, some of it is pretty honest. I mean, she embellished a lot, but parts of it are true. She made some parallels to me, to our marriage, and I'm just not sure what to do next."
"Maybe you should call her."
"Maybe. Listen, I'm going to read the rest of the chapters. You said you have them, right? And I'm going to call Bob. Figure out what to do. You should go to bed."
Liza nodded, leaning back in to hug him. She rubbed her hands over his back soothingly as he leaned down to kiss her lightly. "I'll be up in a bit." He turned and walked back to his study, closing the door behind him. And for the first time since she had started staying overnight with Charles, she went to bed alone.
Liza flung her legs off of the bed, slipping her feet into a pair of slippers she had taken to leaving here. She made her way downstairs and gently opened the door to the study. She thought it was empty for a moment before noticing Charles. He was laying on the leather couch at the far end of the room. His eyes were closed, but he held his cell phone in one hand. An empty scotch glass and the manuscript lay on the floor by his head. Liza creeped over, perching on the edge of the sofa by his head and running a hand gently through his hair. He opened his eyes, smiling weakly.
"Hey. You never came up to bed." She shifted further onto the sofa, lifting his head up to rest it on her lap.
"Sorry. I was just thinking."
"I can't even imagine. Did you talk to Bob?" He nodded. "He's going to come in tomorrow afternoon. Or this afternoon, I guess. I didn't realize it was so late. I want us all to sit down and decide on how to handle this. Bob, Diana, Kelsey, you. I'm so very sorry you got pulled into this, Liza."
"Hey, don't apologize. You didn't write this thing. She did. Charles, come to bed. You need some rest. It's going to a long week." He nodded, sitting up. Liza stood and took his hand, guiding him back up the stairs. It was her turn to be his pillar of strength now.
"So, by now, you all know why you've been called in here today." Charles sat at the head of the conference room table the following afternoon. Diana sat off to one side, Liza and Kelsey across from her. "My attorney will be joining us soon, but I wanted to talk to the three of you first." They nodded.
"I take it by now that you two," he gestured to Diana and Kelsey, "have read the chapters that Liza emailed to you this morning. I honestly have no idea how to handle this."
Diana leaned forward. "Well, the way I see it, if someone else publishes it, then you are cannon fodder for the New York media. But if you publish it, you seem like the bigger person. And you get to control the narrative."
Charles leaned back, clicking his pen nervously. "Publish it. And have my private life spilled out for everyone to see? To talk about? I don't know. I was leaning towards having our lawyers shut her down, serve her with a cease and desist letter."
It was Liza's turn to speak now. "Charles, I really don't think that's the way to go. I think you need to talk to her. You haven't spoken in almost two years. Look, the reason Pauline came to Pitch Fest and gave me the book was because she wanted to get your attention." No one said anything for a moment, and the door to the room opened and Bob stuck his head in. "Is now a good time, Charles?" He nodded, and Bob came in. He squeezed Liza's shoulder as he walked by and sat down opposite Charles.
"So," Charles started, "The general consensus is that we should publish it rather than shut it down. But Liza thinks that I should talk to Pauline before we do anything else. She's supposed to come in on Thursday morning, right?" Liza nodded.
"Well, as your friend and your attorney, I think talking to her is a smart idea. She's clearly trying to get your attention. If you decide to publish it, you at least have a semblance of control over the content, the marketing. But if you want me to shut it down, I'm more than happy to do so." Charles nodded and stood.
"Before you all leave, there's a few other things we need to talk about while Bob is still here. Everyone in this room is fully aware of the other situations we are dealing with. Everyone here knows that Liza is not 26, and that she and I are pursuing a relationship. Liza and I have talked about this at length, and so have Bob and I. So, here's what I'm thinking. I think it may be time for Liza to take a step back from Millennial. Wait, Kelsey, let me finish." He raised a hand to silence her. "It will take some of the spotlight off of her. She can still be involved, but if everyone here is in support, I would like to add the title of Junior Editor for Empirical to her resume."
Liza leaned forward, stunned. "Charles, you don't have to do that."
"Liza, you are one of the hardest workers here. It's a reasonable promotion, not a favor. You will still be involved in Millennial projects, but you'll have a bit more freedom to pursue other books. You won't have to continue to lie about your age. And from an HR standpoint," he added, glancing at Bob, "It's much more acceptable for me to be dating an editor rather than an assistant." He smiled, satisfied with his proposition.
"And, what about me?" Diana demanded, "Will I be losing an assistant?"
They all smiled. "Not at the moment. Liza will continue to work with you until we can find a suitable replacement for her. Which will most likely take years." Everyone laughed as Diana pursed her lips.
"What about Millennial, Charles? I can't run an entire imprint on my own." Kelsey leaned forward, clasping her hands on the table. "I need help. I need Liza." Liza reached over and clasped Kelsey's hand. "You know that's not true. You're a total boss, Kelsey."
"In that regard, Zane will be taking over part of Liza's responsibilities. I've already spoken with him about this earlier this morning. I need the two of you on the same side, rather than bickering like children and fighting over authors. We'll see how it goes," he added, placatingly, "And revisit this in a few months if changes need to be made. Class dismissed." Liza, Diana and Kelsey filed out of the room, but Charles gestured for Bob to stay behind.
"I need to talk to you about Pauline." He stood, leaning against a chair, his hands clenched on the back. "I don't know what to tell her about Liza."
"What do you want, Charles? I'm asking as your friend. Because you're not going to be able to move forward until you can answer that question."
"I want to be with Liza. I love her. I'm in love with her."
"So, you ask Pauline for a divorce."
"But then she'll take her book elsewhere, and who know what some other company will do with it. It's a good book. It will be a hit. But it needs to stay here."
"Then you wait to ask for the divorce until after the book is published."
"So I string her along? Let her think that there's a chance for us? And what about Liza? Pauline is going to want her to be the editor. That's why she brought it to her. If Pauline knows about us, she'll take the book somewhere else. I know her."
"She could also use your relationship with Liza as a bargaining chip in the divorce. Try to get more money, custody of the girls.", Bob argued.
"No! Absolutely not." Charles paced the length of the conference room. He could feel his temper rising and struggled to keep his anger in check. He could not, would not, lose the girls.
"I agree, Charles. She abandoned them, abandoned you, and you've single handedly taken care of them for the past two years. But I'm just trying to prepare you for what's coming. Which is why you're not going to like what I have to say next."
"What?"
"I think the best way to deal with this is to continue to keep your relationship with Liza on the down low. Be discreet. Or press pause. Wait until the book is published, then deal with the divorce. When that happens, then you go public with the relationship."
"That could be weeks. Months. I can't ask Liza to do that. I don't want that. We finally just got to a point where we didn't have to hide anything anymore."
Bob shrugged helplessly as he got up. He stopped by Charles and put a hand on his shoulder. "I know it's not what you want to hear. But I think it's your only option. If Liza loves you as much as I think she does, she'll agree with me. Talk to her. And talk to Pauline."
Charles blew out a slow, heavy breath as he stood alone in the conference room. His head was swimming with so many thoughts that he could barely think straight. All he wanted in that moment was to be alone with Liza. Even just her presence in a room brought him a sense of calm. She was right, it was going to be a long week.
"I think he's right." Liza sat cross legged on her bed later that night as Charles leaned against the dresser opposite her. He had just relayed his conversation with Bob to her and was nervous to see what her reaction was.
"I don't like it, Liza. I feel like the universe is just conspiring against us being together."
"Not the universe. Just your soon to be ex-wife. Listen," she said, kneeling on the bed and reaching out to take his hands., "we just need to think long-term. This is just one hurdle. We get past this, and we're good. Obstacles are put in the way to see if what you want is really worth fighting for. And I think what we have is, don't you?" She looked searchingly into his eyes. He could see the pain in her eyes, but he could also see the determination.
"More than anything. I won't ever abandon you Liza, and you can damn well know that I'm going to fight for this. For us." A single tear slid down her face, and it broke his heart. He reached up to wipe it away with his thumb, then leaned down to kiss her cheek gently.
"When are you meeting her?" Liza asked, quietly.
"Tomorrow night. I need to say some things to her before I have to sit in a meeting with her and everyone else."
"I get that. I'll meet you afterwards?"
Charles nodded. "I'd like that. But I'm sick of talking, right now." Liza nodded, reaching up and snaking her arms around his neck. "Then get down here." They fall back onto the bed, laughing as Charles grunts and mutters, "I really need to get you a new mattress."
Wednesday night
"Hello Charles."
Charles turns from his seat at the bar at the Roosevelt Hotel where he was waiting for Pauline. He blinked a few times, still finding it hard to believe that she was actually there. Part of him thought, hoped actually, that she would just disappear again, but alas, there she stood. She looked the same as the last time he had seen her. Her hair was a little longer, and she was tanner, but everything else was the same.
"Pauline. Hello." She slid onto the stool next to him. "Listen, we don't have to do small talk, Charles. I'm sorry. I'm not the same woman that walked out on you. Can we just start there?"
"We've got to start somewhere, I suppose."
"Yes, we do. How are the girls? Can I see them?" Charles rolled his eyes. She couldn't even be bothered to apologize.
"They're at a summer camp. A horse camp. They won't be back until the weekend after next. We can talk about you seeing them then, if you're still around."
"I deserved that. But I'm not going to sit here and listen to you berate me. I'm back, for good."
"Mmhmm," Charles muttered, taking a sip of his drink. "Can I get you a drink? We've got a lot to talk about." She nodded, and slipped off her jacket, settling in for a conversation two years in the making.
Liza shivered on the steps to the brownstone and checked the time on her cell phone for what felt like the millionth time. 11:06 P.M. She had showed up over an hour ago, expecting Charles to be home from his meeting with Pauline and in need of some comfort. She was tempted to text him, but something in her was hesitant. She was about ready to call for a car when a black SUV pulled up and Charles climbed out. He looked exhausted and upset.
"Liza! Shit, I'm sorry. I forgot you were going to be here." He fumbled to pull his keys out of his pocket as he stopped on the step below her.
"It's late."
"I know, there was just, there was a lot to talk about. Listen, can we talk about in in the morning? I'm exhausted. You can take the car." He gestured towards the idling SUV.
"Oh, uh, okay. I'll see you in the morning, then." Liza scurried down the steps as he unlocked the door, blinking the tears back as she climbed into the SUV. She watched as he climbed the steps and unlocked the door, not bothering to turn around and wave goodnight, and as the car pulled back out into the dark night, the tears took over.
"So, what happened last night? I'm dying to know." Kelsey slid onto the edge of Liza's desk, startling her. She had been staring at the same email from Diana for 10 minutes, not registering a single word.
"Oh, I, uh, I don't know. He got home really late. He didn't say much. He was exhausted."
"From what?"
"Talking."
"Are you sure they were just talking?" Kelsey joked, immediately regretting it as Liza looked up and Kelsey saw her friend's tired, red, eyes. Damn it, Charles, she thought, don't you break this girl's heart.
"Liza, can I speak to you for a moment?" Neither of them had heard Charles come up behind them. Liza nodded and followed him back to his office. He closed the door behind her. The blinds in the window were drawn too. Liza turned to face him and he was suddenly inches from her, wrapping his arms around her. "I'm sorry I was so rude to you last night. I feel terrible."
"Don't. I can't even image what you're going through."
"I didn't treat you right. I'm sorry. When things get very emotional, I have a tendency to shut down."
"I know."
"I imagine you do. It's one of the main themes in her book."
"No, I know you, Charles." He smiled and kissed her lightly. The door opened and Kelsey popped her head in. "Sorry to interrupt, but she's here."
"We'll be there in a second." Liza hurried back to her desk to gather a few things as Kelsey and Charles settled into the conference room. She saw Pauline through the window, sitting in the chair Liza usually occupied, and she felt a flair of annoyance.
"You ready for this, Liza?" Diana came of her office, pausing to wait for Liza. She nodded. They walked to the conference room together, and Liza felt Diana put a hand on her back, very gently, almost as if to comfort her, and she almost teared up all over again.
She settled into the chair on the other side of Charles, directly across from Pauline. She plastered on the most genuine smile she could muster.
"It's good to see you again, Pauline. Or should I call you Paula?" She cocked her head slightly. Next to Pauline, Kelsey coughed, trying to cover up her laugh. She saw some red on Pauline's cheeks and she smiled, satisfied.
"I'm sorry about the duplicity, Liza. Under the circumstances, I did what I thought I needed to do."
"Why don't we get started?" Charles suggested, shooting Liza a furtive smirk. He liked her a little sassy.
They settled in to discuss the details. With the book already written, it would be a quick rollout. They all agreed that Liza would be the primary editor but that it would be a Millennial book. Charles had explained all of this to Pauline last night – how Liza was stepping back but still involved with Millennial. Liza would guide her through the minimal rewrites, all while quietly protecting how Charles was portrayed throughout the novel. It would be a rush job, but easily doable. Diana dove into the marketing details, outlining the plans already in the works for a July release. The goal was for the book to be the sleeper hit of the summer that no one saw coming. Once the first chapter was perfected, Kelsey would leak it to her contacts at EW and GMA, and let the book speak for itself.
Two hours later the meeting broke up, leaving Pauline and Liza to sit down and dig into the editing process. Charles mouthed a parting "Good Luck" to Liza as he exited the room. The two of them began going through the first few chapters, page by page, and for awhile Liza forgot who she was sitting with. It really was a fantastic novel, and it would resonate with women everywhere.
They called it quits midafternoon. Liza didn't think she could sit with Pauline any longer after going through Page 58. It had taken every ounce of her willpower to keep a neutral, professional face. All she could think about was the times that Charles had given her her own personal taste of that page. She knew her face had turned at least slightly pink, because Pauline had laughed and apologized for Liza having to read the "smutty details" of her boss's sex life. Oh, if only she knew, Liza thought wryly. It had also led to an uncomfortable conversation.
"Listen, Liza, I know this is probably an inappropriate question to ask, but do you know if Charles is seeing anyone?"
"Uhh, I'm, I'm not sure. Why?"
"Why not? I need to know what I'm up against."
"You want to get back together?" Liza's stomach dropped and she could feel her blood run cold.
"Yes, of course I do. I'm crazy about him. I just need to know if there is someone else." She dropped her voice. "To be honest, I went to the house to see if the girls were home on Tuesday, and he wasn't home. No one was. It was late."
The blood was pumping so loudly through Liza that she could barely think. She knew very well where Charles had been Tuesday night. In bed with her. "That could mean anything Pauline. He could have been here. And listen, am I here to talk about boys with you or am I hear to edit your book?"
"I'm sorry. Of course, let's get back to it."
When Pauline finally left, Liza felt a wave of relief wash over her. This was going to be the longest month of her life.