Page 13

CHAPTER 13

Cami

The office is a mess this morning. There are people running around left and right, and after I almost ran into a guy from finance I retreated to my cubicle for solace. Unfortunately, there isn’t much peace here either. I stare angrily down at my phone and the multiple calls I’ve placed to the people we hired for makeup for today’s shoot. They didn’t show up, and I’ve been scrambling for the past hour trying to find someone to replace them.

Mistakes happen, I get it, but they can’t happen when it’s for something like this. If just one thing is off, just one person doesn’t show up, the whole thing is a waste. We can’t have a shoot if models don’t have makeup, so I’m thankful when the fifth person I try finally answers my call and says they can fill in. Now they are only a half hour behind, and I can breathe a little easier, despite the fact that I want to drop kick the people who didn’t show up in the first place.

I try to do some busy work to calm myself down, but nothing is really working. Normally, I would roll over to Alana’s cubicle at times like this and talk to her about something random until I calmed down, but she’s in Paris so I can’t exactly do that. I miss her, but I don’t want to make it harder for her by telling her that over and over. I replied to her one text telling me she missed me, but I’m practicing restraint. I know she’s likely having anxiety over this trip, and I don’t need to add to it.

After trying to distract myself to no avail, I stand and make my way to the breakroom in search of some kind of snack or drink. I grab a Dr. Pepper from the fridge and plop down in one of the comfortable chairs. The TV in the corner is playing an episode of Gilmore Girls , as usual, and I watch for a few minutes before glancing down when my phone buzzes.

Charles

Can I stop by later?

I smile seeing his name. We haven’t talked since the bar last week and I missed him over the weekend. It’s a little harder to hang out without Alana around, but not weird.

Me

If you bring me a coffee

Charles

Are you kidding? I know I’m not allowed in empty handed. I wouldn’t dream of coming without a gift for the troll.

Me

Did you just call me a troll?!

Charles

No, of course not.

Me

Whatever, weirdo. See you tonight

Feeling lighter after that conversation, I make my way back to my desk and settle in. I get an email a few minutes later from the shoot organizer with raw, unedited photos and they are beautiful. I sigh in relief at another shoot in the books and get back to work.

* * *

When I get home from work, I give in and FaceTime Alana. It feels good to see her face and be able to physically see how she’s doing. This trip is a big stretch for her, and I am so proud of the steps she’s taking to get out of her comfort zone.

Unfortunately, her ex is trying to rain on her parade.

“He is so into you,” I say, after she explains how Alex answered her phone for her when Brad, her ex, continued calling, despite being told to stop.

“No, he is not. He just saw a problem and tried to fix it. He’s a fixer.”

“Yeah, a fixer who is into you.”

“Whatever.”

Alana is so delusional it’s funny, but I’ll let her discover this on her own and have fun watching it all unfold. Alex is a good guy and she deserves someone good after that jerkwad Brad.

Sometimes cuss words are way more satisfactory than some made up word.

I fill her in on what’s going on at the office and get fired up venting about the missing makeup crew at this morning’s shoot. She affirms my frustrations and offers to send a strongly worded email for me, which I decline.

I’m halfway through giving her an update on Ian, our managing editor, and his move when the door opens behind me. I jump, afraid someone is breaking in, but see Charlie enter with two coffees in hand and remember he had asked to come over. He doesn’t speak, seeing me on the phone, but Alana must be able to hear him enter because she asks about it.

“Who’s that?” she asks, eyes looking around the screen to try and see who it might be.

I don’t want to lie to her, but I don’t want her to be sad if she sees her brother and I hanging out without her. I also really don’t want her getting the wrong idea. I would never make a move on him—he’s my friend—but I don’t want her to even start thinking in that direction.

“Oh, no one,” I lie.

She pauses and scrunches her brows like she’s confused. I’m clearly not very skilled at lying. Even Charlie gives me a confused look and rolls his eyes.

“Well, it’s obviously someone. Wait, are you seeing someone?” Charlie’s eyes widen and I quickly shake my head no.

“Trust me if I was seeing someone you’d know. It’s just the neighbor bringing some dog food and treats. They asked me to watch their dog for them this week.”

“Okay…I guess I’ll let you go and talk to that neighbor.”

“Love you, Lan,” I say, trying to get off the phone.

“Love you too.”

I hang up before she even finishes the sentence, and I feel bad but I’ll make it up to her later. I glance over at Charlie, who is sort of just standing awkwardly in the kitchen, and nod my head toward the coffee on the counter.

“One of those for me?”

“Oh…yeah.” He grabs my latte and walks it over to me. I take it and he sits down on the couch next to me. “Why didn’t you tell her it was me?”

I suddenly feel embarrassed that I hid him from his own sister, but I try not to let that show.

“I just didn’t want her to get sad seeing us together. She just left, I figured it would just make things harder.”

“Makes sense,” he says, nodding his head.

“How was your day?” I ask, taking a sip of my coffee and humming in happiness.

“Not bad, just practiced and worked out.”

“Another day in the life of a hockey superstar.”

He rolls his eyes at me and takes a drink of his own coffee. I stare at him while he focuses his attention on a nonexistent speck of dust on the couch. He picks at it and is so far into his own thoughts that he doesn’t hear me when I clear my throat in order to get his attention.

I place my hand on his shoulder, and he jerks his head up to meet my eyes.

“What?” he asks.

“Why did you want to stop by?”