Page 56 of When I Picture You

Lola’s panicked gaze flashed at Renee. There were tears standing in her eyes.Shit.Renee needed to get moving.

“Actually, I don’t work here,” Renee said. “I’m with Lola, and I need to steal her … because … her Covid test results came back and it’s not looking good.”

“Oh my god, Lolly, gross.” Ava recoiled several feet. “Drinks when you’re negative! I have a new number so message me on Instagram.”

Renee didn’t wait for Ava to enter the theater before putting her hand on the warm skin between Lola’s shoulder blades and steering her toward the women’s restroom. Lola’s heart was beating so hard her small body seemed to shake, her breaths shortening even further into quick, wet wheezes.

“I got you, almost there,” Renee murmured. She hauled open the restroom door, shoved Lola inside, then dashed down the line of toilets, checking for feet. Five minutes into the first screening of the biggest expected blockbuster of the year, the stalls were blessedly empty.

Then she looked at Lola and said, “Okay, go.”

Lola’s face crumpled as the tears surged free.

How could anyone look this beautiful as they cried? Renee circled her arms around Lola. She collapsed against Renee’s chest. She fit against her perfectly, her tears wetting Renee’s collarbone.

“I’m sorry,” Lola gasped. “This is so embarrassing. It’s the first time I’ve seen her since …”

“Shh, it’s fine. I got you.” Renee moved her hand in slow circles on Lola’s back. “I got you. Seriously, who even is this chick? What’s she known for other than making the best of a bad orthodontic situation and not brushing her hair? Those pants are probably giving her a yeast infection as we speak.” Lola huffed something like a laugh into Renee’s chest. Renee pulled back. “But you? You’re a real-life musical genius. You’re literally adored by millions. Your next album is going to break every record in existence.”

Okay, that was overkill. Her pep talk only made Lola’s hyperventilating worse. Lola buried her face in her own hands.

“The next album is—it’s—” Lola’s voice cracked.

Renee eased Lola’s hands down. Mascara was smeared over her cheeks. “It’s going to be even better than whatever you wrote about her. It’s going to be incredible, like a hundred number one hits.”

But Lola’s doe eyes went huge and clouded with fear.

“Shit,” Renee whispered as it clicked into place. The canceled sessions with her producer, the delayed album, the way Lola had wondered if she had anything left to say. “You have writer’s block.”

A fresh tear streamed down Lola’s cheeks. The confession raced out of her with desperate urgency. “I haven’t written anything in a year. The label needs the album—everyone needs the album.You’re supposed to be filming me recording the album. And I have nothing. Absolutelynothing.”

“Okay, okay. Just breathe. You still have loads of time until it’s due, right?”

“It’s supposed to be released in June. That’s nine months. It sounds like a lot but I’m so behind, it’s almost hopeless. Gloriana can tell something’s wrong. If I can’t fix this, she’ll make me use a ghostwriter.”

“Absolutely not. Lola Gray writes her own songs,” Renee said.

“Maybe Lola Gray doesn’t exist anymore,” Lola said in a thin, exhausted voice.

Renee pulled Lola against her again, but this time slid a knuckle under Lola’s chin, tilting her head up to meet her gaze. “Fuck Lola Gray. I’m looking at Lo Grigorian. You are kind and funny and empathetic and talented and brave enough to take yourself seriously. Your work ethic is off the charts—actually excessive, to be honest, and really fucking inspiring. You care so much about making everyone around you feel valued. And not to get superficial about it, but you’rethe hottest person I’ve ever seen in real life, and I’m saying that in a building packed with celebrities.” Renee swept a tear from Lola’s cheek. “Maybe your one flaw is that you have bad taste in girls, but who isn’t guilty of that now and then?”

Just then, someone pushed open the bathroom door. Instantly, Renee broke away and threw her bodyweight against it. “Closed for cleaning, go upstairs!” she shouted, then pulled out her phone. “I’m calling the driver.”

“Gloriana said I have to stay.”

“And why did Mommy say that?”

“I committed to Nash,” Lola sniffed.

“Nash will forgive you. The sea monkey isn’t so bad.”

“We don’t want it to look like I’m running away from Ava.”

“Why not?”

Lola’s mouth fell open. “Because people willtalk.”

“I’d rather them talk than put you through this torture.”