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reminds me that slowing down would be

nice one day, too.

Chapter 5

Ellie

“Good morning!” I singsong as I swing open the door at the top of the stairs. It’s bright and early and not quite hot out yet, so my Christmas sweater hasn’t drenched me in a layer of sweat. I bounce into the room, full of vigour and excitement for the first day of filming.

I’m early. There’s no one else here except Jimmie, a few other backstage people, and Mariah. She’s at our makeup stand, leaning toward the mirror and applying mascara.

“Hey now, don’t use up all your skills on yourself.” I bounce up behind Mariah and meet her gaze in the mirror.

She casts me a quick glance then returns her focus to the mirror. “Morning.”

Not a morning person, apparently. That’s okay. I’m morning enough for the both of us. She’s dressed in her usual black attire, leggings and a tight long-sleeve shirt, but something doesn’t fit in.

“Why are you wearing a scarf?” I tilt my head as I regard the bright red garment.

She shrugs her shoulders to her ears. “No reason.”

My mouth drops open and I clap in excitement. “I knew it! It’s happening!”

She looks mildly panicked. “What?”

“You’re getting into the Christmas spirit!” I squeal and clench my fists.

Her mouth contorts into a disgusted frown. “Oh god no, nothing like that.”

I twirl with the end of the scarf around my fingers. “Then what’s with this?”

She regards me as if I’m an annoying toddler who recentlylearned the wordwhy; it’s an expression I get often. I maintain my smile, holding out, knowing that she’ll break before I do.

Finally, she sighs, casts a glance around, and then pulls down the edge of the scarf to reveal a bright purple hickey.

I gasp, but she gives me a death glare, so I stifle it with my hands. “Ma-ri-ah!” I give her arm a playful slap, and lo and behold I earn a fraction of a smile. My first Mariah smile! I should get an award.

Okay, it’s more a smirk than a smile, but it’s something.

Mariah readjusts the scarf. “I didn’t notice it when I was getting ready this morning and I don’t have my shade here.”

Ah, yes, a makeup artist who’s covering up a hickey with props from the costume department must not be in the most comfortable predicament. “Say less,” I say, settling into my chair. “Your secret is safe with me.”

“Thanks,” she replies, softening.

“But also...” I widen my eyes and lean forward, catching her attention through the mirror. “Saymore! Who’s the lucky person? Have you known them for long? Is this an old fling, or a new one? Did you make it past the neck area? Did you—” I click my tongue and whistle.

Aha! Another smile! I’m on a roll here.

“It’s new. Sort of.”

“Ooh, rekindling an old flame?”

“Something like that.”

“Go on...”

She sighs, like I’ve broken down some sort of barrier, and after a moment she relents. “We went to high school together. We didn’t really know each other, though. I didn’t think he even knew I existed back then.”