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As expected, Emma’s misguidedattempt to help had hurt instead. The rumors swirled harder, the articles taking on a cruel edge. The network scheduled a phone call with Jo the next week. She knew it wasn’t going to be good news, and indeed, they openedthe conversation with “We wanted to touch base regarding these rumors.”

While one of the execs droned on, Jo muted her side of the call.

“Emma!”

Her door was closed, but Emma came right in.

“Yes, boss?”

Jo pointed to the phone, where the guy was doing everything he could to avoid saying the wordlesbian. “This concerns you,” Jo said. “If you’re interested in listening in.”

“It all seems a little inappropriate,” said John or Dave or whatever his name was; Jo could not for the life of her remember. “An assistant and a showrunner.”

Emma’s eyes widened. She sat down on the couch.

Jo held her finger to her lips, then unmuted the phone. “I agree it would be inappropriate were there anything between us. But there’s not.”

“Why don’t you just say that?”

“I’ve never commented on my love life,” Jo said for what felt like the fortieth time. “To do so now would be tacky. And offensive, as this is the first time a prolonged rumor has concerned me and a woman.”

Jo considered flat-out calling them homophobic, but the hint should work well enough. Emma pressed her lips together, her palms resting flat on her thighs.

“Is the rumor affecting our ratings?” Jo asked like she didn’t know the answer. It might be affecting her personal reputation, but the show was doing well, averaging two-tenths higher than last year.

“Well, no, but—”

As Josh or Dan continued about the potential issues that could come up, Jo rolled her eyes at Emma, who gave a rueful smile.

“Perhaps you could go out with someone else,” Jake said. “Pick a guy, pick a restaurant, and—”

“I know you did not just tell me I should be seen out with a man in order to quell rumors about a relationship with a woman,” Jo said. “Rumors that are having zero effect on our ratings and advertisers.”

The line was silent for a moment.

Someone else spoke up. “No, Jo, what I think Don meant—”

“Great,” Jo cut him off again. “If you’ll excuse me, I’ve got a lot to get done here. Do keep in touch if the rumors ever actually cause any issues?”

“Right. Thanks.”

Jomm-hmmed, and ended the call.

She leaned her elbows against her desk and held her head in her hands.

“I’m going to fucking kill him,” she said.

Emma made a noise that sounded like she was hiding a laugh. “Boss...”

“The fuckingnerve.”

“You’ve always said the network execs were idiots,” Emma said.

Jo lifted her head to level Emma with a look. “And yet they’ve never been as bad as that was.”

Emma shrugged. “They’re worried about their reputation. It’s not a big deal.”