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Through the fog of superiority, Adriana cast her gaze on Lola and said, “How many times have I told you not to show Natalia your cards?”
Lola crossed her arms over her chest, not surprised that Adriana would choose this moment to rub something in her face.
As if she had to show off that she was taller than her too, Adriana crossed one giraffe leg over the other. “Will you please accept my help?” Her tone was more exhausted than egomaniacal.
“Yeah, like you care about helping me,” Lola said with a brittle laugh. She wasn’t going to be duped.
“Lola,” Adriana leaned forward. “We’re on the same team,” she insisted, using language to similar to Carmen’s. What the hell did everyone think she was freaking doing? Putting together a rugby squad?
“Please, let me help—”
“Why?” Lola shook her head. “Why would I even trust—”
“Just hear me out.” Adriana leaned back again, infinitely relaxed and confident in the way only a person who always fit in could be. “If you don’t like what I have to say, ignore it. But maybe you’ll see that I’ve worked with Natalia a long time and know something about her.”
Lola narrowed her eyes. “And why would you tell me what you know?”
“Because we’re not each other’s competition,” she said with an expression so open, Lola could almost believe she was being sincere.
Instead of telling her she was full of shit, Lola raised her brow and waited for Adriana to say whatever she wanted to say. She didn’t have to do anything with it.
“The first thing you have to master is not wearing your emotions on your face. You’re passionate and you give a shit and that’s amazing, but don’t let anyone use it against you. Not even Natalia,” Adriana said so unexpectedly that Lola almost choked on her own saliva.
“You don’t have to say—”
“I say what I mean, Lola.” Adriana leaned forward again and for a horrifying moment, Lola thought she was going to reach for her. “You’re a damn good agent. Your instincts are good and your drive is unmatched, but you have to give yourself your place before Natalia will recognize you.”
“What does that even mean?” she snapped because her hands had started trembling and emotion she couldn’t stop was prickling behind her eyes. Nauseous and hot, her body was in full-scale revolt.
Adriana took a deep breath and Lola feared she was about to throw her hands up and sayforget it. That she was going to walk away from her because Lola’s fears were dressed up in impertinence today.
“Natalia teaches by example,” Adriana explained, like being with Roxy had taught her infinite patience. “You don’t see her getting anyone’s coffee or letting anyone get the best of her.”
Adriana paused as if letting that sink in. Instead of arguing with her that she brought Natalia coffee as a sign of respect and admiration, she tried hard to listen.
“Remember who you are. What you bring to the table,” Adriana implored.
The comment about who she was triggered Lola’s imposter syndrome. Her stomach heaved again, threatening to return the lovely breakfast she’d picked up with Carmen.
“Have you ever known Natalia to do something she doesn’t want to do? Act out of obligation? Within these walls, anyway?” Adriana gestured around her.
Lola had to shake her head. Dominion was Natalia’s queendom. There was no question she made all the rules and all the decisions here.
“She picked you for this job because she sees how smart you are and how naturally good at this job you are.” She offered a small, almost genuine smile. “You are going to be an unstoppable force. All you have to do is learn to trust yourself.”
“If she believed so much in me, she’d believe me when I tell her that Martina is a problem,” Lola countered like she’d set up a checkmate.
Adriana’s smile turned knowing. “That’s a lesson too. You know how people are in this business. There are going to be people a million times worse than Martina on the other side of a deal. She wants you to learn to manage all kinds of people. Not just easy ones.”
“So it’s a test?” Lola asked, wishing for the first time that she could flip a switch and trust Adriana.
“One she wants you to pass,” Adriana promised. “And so do I.”
Shifting uncomfortably, Carmen’s dress clinging to her clammy body. “How do you even know all this? Did Natalia tell you?”
“I learned the hard way,” she replied. “I learned by getting out of my own head and paying attention. And Lola, I promise you, you’re the only thing in your way.”
“Falling in love made you soft,” Lola decided, but wasn’t sure whether she thought it was a net negative.
