I'm with Cupid by Jordan Cooke Page B

at all. And there was no way she could ask him to throw Tanya and Trent an engagement party. She knew Max and the higher-ups at the UBC had a whole plan about when Trent and Tanya could date each other, but she was pretty sure they never factored in marriage. But then again . . . maybe they would be happy about it. A big splashy wedding could be excellent for publicity. It all depended on how Corliss spun it for Max . . .
    Corliss decided she’d figure it out later. “Sure, Tanya. I’ll tell Max—and somehow ask him about a party. Consider it my first wedding gift to you.”
    Tanya looked confused. “Does that mean you aren’t going to buy me an expensive present? I’ve already registered at Tiffany’s.”
    Before Corliss could answer Tanya’s latest whopper, her phone rang. She scrambled for it in her bag and saw that it was—Max. “Hey, Max,” Corliss said, answering it. “Were your ears ringing?”
    â€œWhy would my ears be ringing, Corliss?” Max replied in his most humorless tone.
    â€œUm, it’s a saying? Like when people are talking about you?”
    â€œCorliss, I can’t entertain your cryptic form of communication this morning. I need you in my trailer ASAP.”
    â€œRighto, Herr Captain. I’m on my way.” She hung up and hugged Tanya hard. “I’m really happy for you guys.”
    Tanya hugged her back. “Thanks, Cor. You’re the best! But wait a second,” she said, pulling away from Corliss. “Were you on a date with JB at the Emmys last night or what?”
    â€œMe and JB? Ha! That’s funny!” Corliss was suddenly shouting. “Naw, we’re just friends. F-R-I-E-N-D-S!”
    â€œCor, I might not be the sharpest knife in the drawer but I certainly know how to spell friends .” Tanya made her pouty face. “Well, that’s too bad. You two would make a pretty cute couple.”
    â€œYa think so? Never crossed my mind,” Corliss said, standing up, pulling herself together, and heading out of the closet. She didn’t want to engage Tanya—or anyone in the cast—about JB until she knew exactly what was going on between them. “I’ll talk to Max, don’t you worry. It’s totally amazing you and Trent are getting married, Tanya.” She suddenly meant it. “Two people like each other not just enough to date—but to spend their entire lives together!” The thought blew Corliss’s mind.

Max’s Trailer—9:46 A.M.
    â€œWhat is it, Max?” said Corliss, who’d jogged all the way from Tanya’s condo. “I didn’t think you’d be in until later. What with the Emmys and all last night.” Corliss wondered if he’d read The ’Bu-hoo yet this morning. She gritted her teeth and hoped he hadn’t.
    There were deep rings around Max’s eyes. “Please don’t mention last night, Corliss. I was up until 4 A.M. with Mingmei Rothstein discussing our astrological signs and trying to find excuses why I couldn’t give her a full-body massage.”
    â€œYikes.”
    â€œAnd this morning I come into the office to find even more bad news.” He opened his jar of painkillers, popped a few, and crunched them.
    Corliss winced as Max crunched. “Nothing about any one of our stars, I hope?”
    He gave her a desperate look. “Not unless you consider Legend one of them.”
    Corliss sighed. “Uh, not exactly.” She felt terrible that she still hadn’t been able to find a nanny for Legend. His presence always seemed to weigh on Max in a way Corliss didn’t really understand. Then again, she never had to take care of a hyperactive preschooler with an unhealthy interest in bodily functions. “What is it this time, Max?”
    â€œHe egged the camerawoman’s Subaru Outback.” He pointed out the window of his trailer in the direction of the carnage. Sure