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“Fine,” I say teasingly.
I set the phone down on my kitchen counter, then take a few steps back until I’m in my living room for the reveal. It’s a fitted maxi dress with a natural waist, the color of champagne, with white floral embroidery dancing throughout it.
“Mia, you look gorgeous,” Ava says, jaw dropped. She pouts but maintains her soft smile. “I’m so jealous. I want to attend a gala with a hot man, too.”
“Must I remind you it’s for work,” I say, sweeping my hair, curled into beach waves, behind my shoulders. “I admit it was fun going shopping and getting ready, but it’s not nearly as exciting as it might look. I’m still going with my boss.”
“Still. I’m sure you’ll have fun. And maybe more too,” Ava says as I return to the kitchen counter to pick up my phone.
“Ava!” I yell.
“What?” she laughs. “How’s your week been? Work going well?”
I shake my head and return to my bathroom to finish applying my makeup. “Carter moved me over to costumes. It’s such a bummer. I was having so much fun overseeing the script.”
I set the phone down on the sink, making sure to put the screen slightly up so Ava and I can see each other face-to-face. Then, I grab my finishing powder and a brush.
“That’s good, though,” Ava assures me. “Having you work in various departments will allow you to make connections. It’ll also help you figure out what direction you want to move in next.”
I run the brush across my cheeks and the outskirts of my nose. “I guess I just liked the writing department more than I thought. It feels weird being moved so suddenly.”
“You had to do the same thing when you first started at Studio 42,” she reminds me.
I grab a nude lipstick with a warm coral tint and apply it. “I suppose my experience is showing, so it’s a bit exhausting. Carter said he would always be involved in whatever department I oversee, so at least I’m not doing it all alone.”
“Is he treating you okay?” Ava asks, but I can tell by her narrow-eyed expression that she’s assessing me for more signs of attraction for Carter. I swear, she’d throw me to the wolves if she suspected I had the hots for one of them.
I put my lipstick away and examine my reflection in the mirror. “Since you want to know so badly, it’s been awkward between us all week. He’s been moodier than ever since he took me location scouting. It seemed like he was hoping I’d invite him up to my apartment.”
Ava screams. “OMG! What? You’ve been hiding out on me. Well, would you?”
I place my hand over my necklace and tug at a few of the pearls. “Okay. You got me. I kind of wanted to, but I already told you I’m not ready to date again. Especially not someone higher up than me at work. What if Carter likes to sleep with his employees and talk about it to all his producer friends? Word can get out that I like to sleep around to get to the top.”
“Have you heard about any women he’s sleaze-balled his way into bed with around the office?”
“No,” I say. But that doesn’t mean he hasn’t done it.
“Has he said anything to make you feel uncomfortable?”
That’s the thing. Despite his flirting, I don’t feel uncomfortable.
“No,” I say again.
A smirk crosses Ava’s face. “So, youareinterested! This all sounds like much more than attraction, Mia. I say go for it.”
I groan. “I already told you that this isn’t where my head is at right now.”
“Speaking of…” Ava adjusts herself on her couch. “When is he picking you up?”
The doorbell rings. I guess now.
I whip my head toward the door. “Wait a minute. I told him to text me when he pulled up.”
Ava gasps. “And he didn’t listen? Clever man. Invite him inside and offer him a drink. Maybe you won’t even make it to the gala tonight.”
I turn back to my phone. “Ava.”
She chuckles. “Have fun, Mia. You better keep me updated. I want to hear all about it. And don’t leave anything out.”
