The Click Trilogy (71 page)
Authors: Lisa Becker
From: Genie Fowler – April 14, 2014 – 7:31 AM
To: PBCupLover
Subject: Big Surprise!!!!
Hey there, stranger. Hope you are doing well. Sorry it's been a while since we last spoke. Things have been super hectic around here lately. And before I forget, I wanted to tell you that I bumped into Misty Jean last week at the "going out of business" event at Shakey's. She says hi. Hard to believe that place has closed down. We had so many great memories there. Remember the night after Claire Landry's homecoming party?
From: PBCupLover – April 14, 2014 – 9:02 AM
To: Genie Fowler
Subject: Re: Big Surprise!!!!
Hey, Eugenia. Great to hear from you. Wow! Shakey's closed down. What a bummer. I think I ate my weight in pizza there junior year. Of course I remember that night. We were pretty wild and crazy back then, huh? So what is Misty doing these days?
From: Genie Fowler – April 14, 2014 – 9:11 AM
To: PBCupLover
Subject: Re: Big Surprise!!!!
We
were
pretty wild back then. Sad to think those days are over. Wish I knew then how good I had it. Regarding Misty, she's living in the suburbs near where we grew up and is working for her dad's construction business. She thinks he's going to retire in about 10 years so he's grooming her to take over.
From: PBCupLover – April 14, 2014 – 9:15 AM
To: Genie Fowler
Subject: Re: Big Surprise!!!!
Construction, huh? Never would have thought that's where she'd end up. She was always kind of a girly girl.
From: Genie Fowler – April 14, 2014 – 9:17 AM
To: PBCupLover
Subject: Re: Big Surprise!!!!
She's still pretty girly but I think she likes the fact she's surrounded by big, burly, manly men.
From: PBCupLover – April 14, 2014 – 9:21 AM
To: Genie Fowler
Subject: Re: Big Surprise!!!!
Ha! I can see that. So that can't be the "Big Surprise!!!!" you mention. You used four exclamation points and you're usually not that liberal with them. So what's up?
From: Genie Fowler – April 14, 2014 – 9:29 AM
To: PBCupLover
Subject: Re: Big Surprise!!!!
I completely forgot. Yes, that's not the big surprise. The news is...(drumroll please!) I'm moving to LA. Can you believe it? I know you probably think I'm crazy, but I've decided that Columbus is just too midwest for me. I need to be where the action is.
I was thinking about New York, but figured LA would be better since I know someone there and I know you will help make sure I get settled in okay. I'm awaiting word on my job transfer request with Nordstrom and could start as early as a few weeks from now.
So I just need to get out there and find an apartment. Do you think I could stay with you for a week or two until I get a place?
From: PBCupLover – April 14, 2014 – 9:35 AM
To: Genie Fowler
Subject: Re: Big Surprise!!!!
Well, that is a big surprise. A move across country is a big step. I think you'll like it out here and have no doubt that you'll make it an easy transition. Let me see how I can help. I'll be in touch soon.
From: PBCupLover – April 14, 2014 – 9:36 AM
To: Renee Greene
Subject: Fwd: Re: Big Surprise!!!!
Don't freak out, but…
From: Renee Greene – April 14, 2014 – 9:37 AM
To: Shelley Manning, Ashley Gordon
Subject: Fwd: Fwd: Big Surprise!!!!
I'm freaking out…
From: Shelley Manning – April 14, 2014 – 9:52 AM
To: Renee Greene, Ashley Gordon
Subject: Re: Fwd: Fwd: Big Surprise!!!!
Oh, hell no! You tell that conniving Fashionista that she is not welcome in your home. And you're not FREAKING OUT. You tell Ethan in no uncertain terms that there is NO FREAKING WAY Genie is staying with you. And your wedding is just a few months away!?!
From: Ashley Gordon – April 14, 2014 – 10:09 AM
To: Shelley Manning, Renee Greene
Subject: Re: Fwd: Fwd: Big Surprise!!!!
I beg to differ. You know that old expression, keep your friends close and your enemies closer. At least this way you can keep an eye on her for a few weeks and let her know that she can't shake the foundation of your relationship.
From: Shelley Manning – April 14, 2014 – 10:18 AM
To: Renee Greene, Ashley Gordon
Subject: Re: Fwd: Fwd: Big Surprise!!!!
A few weeks? We all know it could take a lot longer than a few weeks to find a good apartment in LA. It's hit or miss. Knowing her, she'll drag it out.
On one hand, you tell Ethan she can't stay. She's likely betting that will be your response. Ethan will protest, saying that he's just trying to help a friend and that you're being jealous/paranoid. You'll get into a huge fight and be cast as the bad guy.
On the other hand, you tell him she can stay with you and you're basically inviting the lioness into your den. She's brilliant!
From: Renee Greene – April 14, 2014 – 10:19 AM
To: Shelley Manning, Ashley Gordon
Subject: Re: Fwd: Fwd: Big Surprise!!!!
I'm screwed!
From: Shelley Manning – April 14, 2014 – 10:23 AM
To: Renee Greene, Ashley Gordon
Subject: Re: Fwd: Fwd: Big Surprise!!!!
She really is an evil genius. Too bad we don't like her. Under different circumstances, she would make a great addition to our little group.
From: Ashley Gordon – April 14, 2014 – 10:25 AM
To: Shelley Manning, Renee Greene
Subject: Re: Fwd: Fwd: Big Surprise!!!!
This is indeed a Catch 22. So what are you going to do?
From: Renee Greene – April 14, 2014 – 10:25 AM
To: Shelley Manning, Ashley Gordon
Subject: Re: Fwd: Fwd: Big Surprise!!!!
I don't know.
From: Shelley Manning – April 14, 2014 – 10:26 AM
To: Renee Greene, Ashley Gordon
Subject: Re: Fwd: Fwd: Big Surprise!!!!
Don't make any rash decisions. You need to think about this strategically.
From: Renee Greene – April 14, 2014 – 10:26 AM
To: Shelley Manning, Ashley Gordon
Subject: Re: Fwd: Fwd: Big Surprise!!!!
Strategically? What does that mean?
From: Shelley Manning – April 14, 2014 – 10:29 AM
To: Renee Greene, Ashley Gordon
Subject: Re: Fwd: Fwd: Big Surprise!!!!
We've got to figure out a way for him to see that Genie is manipulating the situation and she's really the villain in all of this.
From: Renee Greene – April 14, 2014 – 10:33 AM
To: Shelley Manning, Ashley Gordon
Subject: Re: Fwd: Fwd: Big Surprise!!!!
As much as I appreciate you putting your great and devilish mind to work on this problem, I honestly don't want to play games with Ethan. I'm just going to see how he feels about the situation and then let him make the decision.
From: Ashley Gordon – April 14, 2014 – 10:36 AM
To: Renee Greene, Shelley Manning
Subject: Re: Fwd: Fwd: Big Surprise!!!!
Oooh. That's good. Force him to make the choice and therefore deal with the fallout. Very smart.
From: Renee Greene – April 14, 2014 – 10:38 AM
To: Shelley Manning, Ashley Gordon
Subject: Re: Fwd: Fwd: Big Surprise!!!!
I'm not trying to be smart about this. I just want to deal with this in a mature way.
From: Shelley Manning – April 14, 2014 – 10:40 AM
To: Renee Greene, Ashley Gordon
Subject: Re: Fwd: Fwd: Big Surprise!!!!
Lucky for you, the "mature" way happens to be a "savvy" way, too. Good luck and keep us posted!
From: Renee Greene – April 14, 2014 – 10:45 AM
To: PBCupLover
Subject: Re: Fwd: Big Surprise!!!!
Should I freak out that you used to eat A LOT of pizza or that your ex-girlfriend wants to stay with us for a few weeks. ;) What are your thoughts?
From: PBCupLover – April 14, 2014 – 11:12 AM
To: Renee Greene
Subject: Re: Fwd: Big Surprise!!!!
Well, I would love to help her out. She is an old friend, after all. Nothing I wouldn't do for any one of the gang from back home. But I also could see where it would make you a bit uncomfortable.
Not that you have anything to worry about or be jealous about, but I know I wouldn't want one of your old boyfriends crashing on our couch. I'll let you decide.
From: Renee Greene – April 14, 2014 – 11:16 AM
To: PBCupLover
Subject: Re: Fwd: Big Surprise!!!!
You bring up some good points. But really, I think this needs to be your decision. I'm fine with whatever you decide.
From: PBCupLover – April 14, 2014 – 11:22 AM
To: Renee Greene
Subject: Re: Fwd: Big Surprise!!!!
Really? You don't have a strong opinion about this one way or another? Is that what Shelley and Ashley said to do? I assume you already talked with them about this. Are they bcc'd on these emails?
From: Renee Greene – April 14, 2014 – 11:28 AM
To: PBCupLover
Subject: Re: Fwd: Big Surprise!!!!
Yes, I did talk with Shelley and Ashley. And no, they are not copied on these emails. This is between you and me. And I decided – not them – that this decision needs to be yours. She's your friend.
From: PBCupLover – April 14, 2014 – 11:30 AM
To: Renee Greene
Subject: Re: Fwd: Big Surprise!!!!
Would you really be okay if she stayed with us for a week or two?
From: Renee Greene – April 14, 2014 – 11:31 AM
To: PBCupLover
Subject: Re: Fwd: Big Surprise!!!!
Babe, you do what you think is right.
From: PBCupLover – April 14, 2014 – 11:33 AM
To: Renee Greene
Subject: Re: Fwd: Big Surprise!!!!
So basically you're saying that I need to choose between my ex-girlfriend, who is still a dear friend, and my fiancé?
From: Renee Greene – April 14, 2014 – 11:37 AM
To: PBCupLover
Subject: Re: Fwd: Big Surprise!!!!
I'm not saying that at all. If you want to help out your old friend, then you should do that. And if you think it would be awkward for her to stay here, then you should tell her that. I am 100% behind whatever you decide.
From: PBCupLover – April 14, 2014 – 11:38 AM
To: Renee Greene
Subject: Re: Fwd: Big Surprise!!!!
Okay. We can talk about it more tonight.
From: Renee Greene – April 14, 2014 – 11:39 AM
To: PBCupLover
Subject: Re: Fwd: Big Surprise!!!!
No need to discuss any further. It's totally your call. XO
From: Shelley Manning – April 16, 2014 – 2:32 PM
To: Renee Greene, Ashley Gordon
Subject: Re: Fwd: Fwd: Big Surprise!!!!
So, what's going on with this?!?!
From: Renee Greene – April 16, 2014 – 2:54 PM
To: Shelley Manning, Ashley Gordon
Subject: Re: Fwd: Fwd: Big Surprise!!!!
As mentioned, I told him it was his decision and I was 100% behind whatever he decided. After a bit of back and forth, I made the mistake of saying that he should do what he thinks is right. It opened up the door for him to say that I was basically asking him to make a choice between me and her.
Thankfully, I stuck to the high ground and just stayed on message that it was his choice and I was okay with whatever he decided. All of that PR/media training we do for clients to "stay on message" certainly helped here. He's thinking about what to do and I'm just sitting silently (albeit anxiously) by waiting to see what he does.
From: Shelley Manning – April 16, 2014 – 3:00 PM
To: Renee Greene, Ashley Gordon
Subject: Re: Fwd: Fwd: Big Surprise!!!!
Oooh. That staying on message business can be tough but sounds like it was a good call. So curious to see what he does. What a dilemma for him.
From: Renee Greene – April 16, 2014 – 3:02 PM
To: Shelley Manning, Ashley Gordon
Subject: Re: Fwd: Fwd: Big Surprise!!!!
Don't feel too sorry for him. He's brought this on himself.
From: Shelley Manning – April 16, 2014 – 3:06 PM
To: Renee Greene, Ashley Gordon
Subject: Re: Fwd: Fwd: Big Surprise!!!!
So you think the choice should be simple? He should tell Fashionista that as much as he would like to help, she can't stay with him because it would be too weird for you and you are the most important person in his life.
From: Renee Greene – April 16, 2014 – 3:12 PM
To: Shelley Manning, Ashley Gordon
Subject: Re: Fwd: Fwd: Big Surprise!!!!
There is absolutely no way he would let my ex-boyfriend stay with us. And there's no evidence my ex-boyfriend is even remotely interested in getting back together with me.
But it's been well established – at least well established in my mind - that Genie is interested in stealing him back. So why the hell would it be okay for her to stay with us? (It’s bad enough he had to invite her to our wedding!)
Even more so, I think he should tell her that LA isn't big enough for all of us and she should pursue her dream to hit the Big Apple or, better yet, stay in Columbus.
From: Ashley Gordon – April 16, 2014 – 3:15 PM
To: Renee Greene, Shelley Manning
Subject: Re: Fwd: Fwd: Big Surprise!!!!
No offense, Renee, but just because something is well-established in your mind, doesn't mean it's reality.
From: Shelley Manning – April 16, 2014 – 3:18 PM
To: Ashley Gordon, Renee Greene
Subject: Re: Fwd: Fwd: Big Surprise!!!!
And just because you say "no offense" Ashley, doesn't mean what's coming out of your mouth isn't going to piss a whole bunch of people off.
From: Renee Greene – April 16, 2014 – 3:20 PM
To: Shelley Manning, Ashley Gordon
Subject: Re: Fwd: Fwd: Big Surprise!!!!
Settle down, ladies. Let's keep our focus here. The enemy is Genie – not each other. I will let you know what Ethan decides.
From: Shelley Manning – April 16, 2014 – 3:21 PM
To: Renee Greene
Subject: Re: Fwd: Fwd: Big Surprise!!!!
She is such a pain in the ass!
From: Ashley Gordon – April 16, 2014 – 3:21 PM
To: Renee Greene
Subject: Re: Fwd: Fwd: Big Surprise!!!!
She can be so mean sometimes.
From: Renee Greene – April 16, 2014 – 3:22 PM
To: Shelley Manning
Subject: Re: Fwd: Fwd: Big Surprise!!!!
Never you mind her. I'll talk with you soon.
From: Renee Greene – April 16, 2014 – 3:22 PM
To: Ashley Gordon
Subject: Re: Fwd: Fwd: Big Surprise!!!!
Never you mind her. I'll talk with you soon.
From: Renee Greene – April 18, 2014 – 2:12 PM
To: Shelley Manning
Subject: Hate in my heart
I hate Skinny Skye. Do you know that waif eats a 1/4 gallon of ice cream every day? EVERY DAY! She's done this since she was a kid, which seems like last week. So she's spent more than a decade eating ice cream (DAILY!) and still looks Skinny.
From: Shelley Manning – April 18, 2014 – 2:16 PM
To: Renee Greene
Subject: Re: Hate in my heart
I Scream! You Scream! We all scream that we hate Skinny Skye!
From: Renee Greene – April 18, 2014 – 2:16 PM
To: Shelley Manning
Subject: Re: Hate in my heart
Exactly!
From: Shelley Manning – April 18, 2014 – 2:18 PM
To: Renee Greene
Subject: Re: Hate in my heart
Don't let her get you down. She may be skinny, but you're smart and successful. She's probably DYING to be like you.
From: Renee Greene – April 18, 2014 – 2:19 PM
To: Shelley Manning
Subject: Re: Hate in my heart
Somehow I doubt that, but I'll take it.
From: PBCupLover – April 21, 2014 – 10:12 AM
To: Genie Fowler
Subject: No Place Like Home
Eugenia: Hope you are on track to move out to LA because I have some great news for you. I found you an awesome place to live. It's a really nice one-bedroom apartment in Brentwood, which is a hip part of west LA filled with young professionals. There are tons of little shops and restaurants you can walk to and its centrally located between downtown LA and the Santa Monica beach area. It will be only a 10 minute drive to Nordstrom, too. By LA standards, that is one hell of an easy commute.
One of my co-workers lives in the building and they just had a unit open up. I went to look at it today and they agreed to hold it for two days for you to mail them a first/last month's rent and deposit.
From: Genie Fowler – April 21, 2014 – 11:32 AM
To: PBCupLover
Subject: Re: No Place Like Home
Aren't you sweet? I certainly didn't mean for you to go to all of that trouble on my behalf. I'm sure Renee, too, had a lot to do with finding me a great place, so be sure to thank her for me.
But wouldn't you know it, but my plans have changed. Nordstrom offered me a promotion so I would stay in Columbus. They made it worth my while, so I guess I'm staying put...for now.
Thanks for being so concerned about me, as always. I think you've really spoiled me for other men. ;) I’ll see you soon at the wedding.
From: PBCupLover – April 21, 2014 – 11:36 AM
To: Genie Fowler
Subject: Re: No Place Like Home
Sorry to hear that you won't be making the move out west. But I'm sure your promotion – and all that goes with it – will be great. Yes, see you soon.
From: PBCupLover – April 21, 2014 – 11:38 AM
To: Renee Greene
Subject: Fwd: Re: No Place Like Home
See below. Looks like Genie got incentivized to stay in Columbus. Thanks for being so great about all of this. Just goes to show why I love you so much.
From: Renee Greene – April 21, 2014 – 11:40 AM
To: Shelley Manning, Ashley Gordon
Subject: Fwd: Fwd: Re: No Place Like Home
Can you believe this shit?
From: Shelley Manning – April 21, 2014 – 11:45 AM
To: Renee Greene, Ashley Gordon
Subject: Re: Fwd: Fwd: Re: No Place Like Home
Are you fucking kidding me? Was that her plan all along? Try to split the two of you up and only come out here if she had to? Was she playing an emotional high-stakes game of chicken with you?
From: Renee Greene – April 21, 2014 – 11:49 AM
To: Shelley Manning, Ashley Gordon
Subject: Re: Fwd: Fwd: Re: No Place Like Home
I love the line about how he's spoiled her for other men? More like she's just spoiled. Really? Is this appropriate to say to someone who is engaged?
From: Shelley Manning – April 21, 2014 – 11:52 AM
To: Renee Greene, Ashley Gordon
Subject: Re: Fwd: Fwd: Re: No Place Like Home
Ooh. The claws come out. All of this civility and handling things maturely has taken it's toll. I like it!
From: Renee Greene – April 21, 2014 – 11:56 AM
To: Shelley Manning, Ashley Gordon
Subject: Re: Fwd: Fwd: Re: No Place Like Home
Honestly, I've just been holding my breath for days on this and praying that she doesn't swoop in here and steal him away from me. I think a good cry will be cleansing.
From: Ashley Gordon – April 21, 2014 – 12:01 PM
To: Shelley Manning, Renee Greene
Subject: Re: Fwd: Fwd: Re: No Place Like Home
Oh, Renee. You have nothing to worry about. From what you've told me, she's obviously very beautiful and well put together. But Ethan loves you. Clearly he wouldn't have gone to the trouble of finding a solution that didn't involve having her stay with you if he wasn't fully committed to you.