Page 26 of When I Picture You

Perfect. That meant she had about thirty seconds to decide where to set up the cameras. Renee pulled at the now-cold, wet fabric of her polo as she took stock of the space and tried to focus. There were so many people waiting for her, so many choices to make. She felt like she’d forgotten where she was supposed to begin.

Cassidy must have read the panic on Renee’s face. “Um, maybe I could tell you how these things usually go?”

“Yes, please,” Renee said.

“So Lola tries on the dresses in her office, so we’ll need that off-limits for the crew.”

“Absolutely.”

“And then she comes out to model them. I think in front of the fireplace is a nice spot for that, because Gloriana and Veronika can sit on that couch there. And when Jason arrives, he usually wheels in a garment rack with all the dresses right in the front door. It’s so glamorous.”

“Okay, right,” Renee said, then took a deep breath and turned tothe crew. “Let’s get Camera B on a tripod focused on the couch. We’re going to be getting the manager’s reaction there. And I’ll handle Camera A on a gimbal. The first shot’s going to be Jason St. Jude coming through the front door with the garment rack full of dresses. Let’s get moving!” she said with as much authority as she could muster.

The crew got to work. Renee gave Cassidy an appreciative nod. “Thank you.”

Cassidy responded with a slight smile. “No problem. Lola asked me to make sure you got your bearings.”

“Oh. Well, I appreciate it. Where is Lola?”

Cassidy pointed at the massive staircase with a fancy wrought-iron railing. “Upstairs. Turn right, the door at the end of the hall.”

Moments later, Renee was poised to knock when Lola’s bedroom door swung open.

“Cassidy, can you—oh, Renee!”

“Hi!” Renee’s eyes went wide. Lola was wrapped in a robe, her hair up in rollers, her legs bare.

“Hi—I wasn’t expecting you! I mean, not up here.” Lola leaned against the jamb. “Nervous for your first day of filming?”

“I’m not nervous,” said Renee, whose stomach was a Gordian knot of nerves.

Lola smirked at her. “You wouldn’t be, Renee Feldman.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“Just that you’re always so confident. Nothing intimidates you.” Lola’s expression clouded as she took in Renee’s outfit. “What happened to your shirt?”

Renee tugged at her polo, which did not make the trail of napkin particles less visible. “Oh, that—craft services coffee was a bit of a jump scare.”

“Oh my god, I’ll get Cassidy to make you a cappuccino.” Then she grabbed Renee’s hand and pulled her into her bedroom.

Lola led her past the bed, which Renee absolutely did not look at with any curiosity, and into a truly massive closet. Lola knelt, her robe riding up to reveal a smooth swath of thigh, and pawed through a lower rack of hangers.

“What are you doing?” Renee asked.

“Finding you something clean to wear. You can’t go out there like that.”

“It’s no big deal.” Renee crossed her arms. “As a PA, my stuff got ruined all the time.”

Lola shot her a scolding look.

“Fine, yes, a clean shirt would be good. Thanks.”

“Here.” Lola stood, holding up an oversize white button-up.

Renee looked at the label and started. “This has got to cost a thousand dollars!”

“Do you want it or not?”