Page 94 of When I Picture You

“Lola’s a very special person,” Tatiana said flatly. “She’s very special to me.”

“To me too,” Renee said.

“She’s sensitive. She doesn’t guard her heart like someone in her position should. So when I see her falling for someone, I take it as my responsibility to ask the questions I know she won’t.”

Renee’s own heart swelled at the thought of Lola falling for her. “Ask me anything.”

“When did you find out about Lola’s documentary?”

“When she called and offered it to me. I was in grad school. Well, I was on leave.”

“Meaning, this is your big break.”

“Meaning, I wasn’t looking for a big break. I was trying to make a thirty-minute thesis film and I couldn’t even manage that.”

Tatiana arched an extremely well-defined brow. Beneath it, her gray eyes were unforgiving. “You expect me to believe that?”

“Obviously,” Renee said tightly, then pressed her teeth closed against any further ill-considered comments. As much as she didn’t appreciate an international superstar’s judgment of her stunted professional life, Renee could not lash out at Tatiana Jones. This was one of Lola’s closest friends, the person Lola had really invited her here tonight to meet. And Tatiana was trying to protect Lola. That was something Renee more than understood. She sucked in a breath through her nose and steadied herself.

“But I see why you might not believe it. This is a huge opportunity, whether or not I was looking for it. To be honest, it’s completely terrifying knowing that millions of people are going to see my first film. I’m trying not to think about that too much, because I’ll start having panic attacks and I really don’t have time for that. Instead, I’m just trying to focus on making something Lola can be proud of.”

Tatiana tilted her head. “Okay. Lola said you hadn’t spoken in years. Not since before her first album, and yet now”—she raised those sharp eyebrows again—“you have quite a personal interest in her. Explain that.”

“How could I not have an interest in her?” Despite the interrogation, Renee found herself smiling. “I saw her over the summer at Claudia’s wedding and she was just magnetic. I truly never expected to fall for her. I mean, that’s like right out of a Lola Gray song, if you think about it.”

“I did think about it.” Tatiana folded her arms.

“Well, I didn’t. You can ask my friend Kadijah; I’m basically allergic to relationships.”

“And a relationship with a massively successful, kindhearted woman is the exception?”

Shit, this is not going well.The FBI could probably learn a thing or two from Tatiana’s interrogation techniques.

“To be honest, I sort of wish she was less massively successful?” Renee said in a last-ditch defense. “Lola’s basically a normal person—well, an unbelievably talented normal person. It sucks that she can’t have a normal life.” Renee swallowed hard. “Look, if you’re worried that I’m pretending to be into her so I can get something out of the relationship, don’t be. First, no one in their right mind would have topretendto be into Lola. She’s fucking incredible. And second, I’m fundamentally incapable of pretending to like anyone, even when I should. Just ask Gloriana—or anyone else on Lola’s team.”

“Gloriana doesn’t like you?”

Renee rolled her eyes. “I was on thin ice from the start, with thehaving no experience directing filmsthing. Then I kidnapped Lola and took her to Michigan instead of torturing her with her ex like Gloriana wanted—thanks for your help with that, by the way—and since we’ve been back, Lola’s been standing up to her left and right. So yeah, I’m not her favorite.”

The sliver of a grin inched across Tatiana’s face.

“Anything else you want to know?” Renee asked. Now that she’d found her footing, she almost wanted the interrogation to continue.Shelikedproving herself worthy of Lola. She was glad that Lola had a friend like this—who could not be more unlike her—who felt a responsibility to look out for her.

“That’s all, for now,” Tatiana said, and Renee knew she’d passed.

Renee glanced at the toilet. “I actually do have to pee.”

“Go find the other restroom,” Tatiana said, opening the door for her.

BACK IN THEvault, the conversation found an easy rhythm. Carolina and Rosalie were generous with making sure that Renee understood whatever industry development they were discussing, and Tatiana had somehow signaled her approval to Lola, who was practically making heart eyes at Renee across the table.

So this is how meeting the friends is supposed to be.

At least,sort of. In the ideal scenario, all the friends knew you were dating.

Toward dessert, the conversation circled back to the documentary.

“I did one of those docs a few years back,” Tatiana said, then sipped her soda water with bitters.