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“I can learn anything,” Lola said, dark wide eyes fixed and eager.

Natalia nearly smiled, but nodded instead. “It would honor a bisexual woman who was passionate about teaching. Maybe we can limit it to kids who want to pursue a degree in education.” Natalia shifted in her chair while Lola took furious notes. “Her name was Sofia Reyes. She passed away very young. Her legacy should live on.” She couldn’t explain any further without the stupid lump in her throat returning.

Lola nodded again and stood. “I’ll get on the phone with legal right now and get the ball rolling.”

She watched Lola stride out of the office, full of purpose and passion. The fissure in her chest stretched further. Jesus. She was losing her grip on her emotions. Maybe she was finally menopausal and needed her hormones adjusted, she thought, to calm herself.

Minutes later, Natalia’s phone was ringing. For a single heartbeat she thought it was Sam calling unannounced, but answered even when it wasn’t.

“Natalia! We did it!” Zoe shrieked. “Sam signed the deal! The Lilith movie is officially a go, thanks to you!”

Natalia tensed. “That’s great news,” she said evenly.

“Great? It’s incredible! Dr. Reyes just emailed over the signed contract. They agreed to all her demands for creative control. I can’t believe you pulled this off!”

“I’m glad it worked out.” Natalia kept her tone neutral, unease twisting her gut.

“What’s wrong? You don’t seem excited.”

Natalia hesitated. She wanted to be happy for Zoe, but doubt gnawed at her. “I just find it hard to believe the studio agreed to give up that much control,” she admitted. “It seems too good to be true.”

“Come on, have some faith! Dr. Reyes drives a hard bargain, and she had the best agent around advising her.” Zoe’s grin was audible through the phone.

“I was not advising her,” she corrected.

“Well, whatever, you know what I mean. She got everything she wanted and now we’re going to produce the first sapphic blockbuster.” She clapped for herself. “And if you’re not her agent, I do need her representation’s contact info — unless she intends to sign the contracts herself.”

Natalia wished she shared her optimism, but she knew how ruthless Hollywood could be. Pushing her worry aside, she picked up the phone and texted Sam.

Natalia: Please forward me the name and phone number of your agent or attorney.

Instead of a text response, Natalia’s phone buzzed in her hand. At the sight of Sam’s name on her phone, Natalia’s heart took an annoying foray into her throat.

“Yes, Professor,” Natalia answered, overselling her irritation at the call.

At the other end of the line, Sam laughed. “Hey, you’re the one texting me because you miss me and don’t want to admit you miss me, so you pull out some work stuff.”

“I can assure you, Professor, I don’t have time to play with you. Please provide the requisite information so I can pass it along.”

Sam’s laugh was brighter than before. “Oh, come on, that’s not what you were saying last night. And if the soreness in my?—”

“Dr. Reyes?—”

“Well, nothing has changed since the last time you asked me,” she replied. “I still handle these things myself.”

“This is not a speaking tour, Sam. You need someone who knows what they’re doing or you’re going to regret it.”

“Well, you know what you’re doing, babe. Can’t you do it?” Sam’s smile was so broad it was distracting. Natalia knew where the creases around her eyes were. Knew the curve of her lips. Ugh, gross.

“Should I list all the conflicts of interests we would have in that arrangement, or can you piece them together yourself?”

“God, you’re so romantic,” Sam said with an exaggerated dreamy voice. “I don’t know if I can handle this love fest?—”

“Samantha,” Natalia snapped, needing her to be serious.

“Okay, okay. Can’t you just recommend me someone? Whoever you would trust for yourself?”

Natalia pondered the question. She didn’t know anyone that had her exacting standards. As she went through the contact list in her head, Adriana walked across the office, a handful of assistant agents trailing behind her.