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The moment they stepped into the elevator, Carmen’s mood curdled. The last thing she needed to see was Lola’s face. Hair pulled back and eyes alive with the joy she probably got from human sacrifice, Lola greeted her with an unexpected and highly suspicious smile.
“Hello,” Elaine said when she stepped on the elevator, blissfully unaware that Lola didn’t deserve her polite greeting.
Instead of hissing, Lola smiled at her. It took all of Carmen’s self-control not to comment on Lola’s ability to impersonate a human being in a pinch.
“I took care of that car parked illegally in your firm’s spot,” Lola said with a nauseating grin.
Heat hit Carmen’s body like a lightning strike. If Elaine hadn’t been in the elevator with them, Carmen would have screamed her response. But she couldn’t let Lola provoke her. Not right now. “It wasn’t illegally parked,” she said with the patience of a monk that could drop their heart rate at will.
“No?” Lola cocked her head to the side, acting as innocent as an ingenue. “But there wasn’t a parking pass hanging from the visor as required by the building’s policy.”
Carmen wanted to tell Lola exactly where she could shove the policy and her transparent act. Next to her, Elaine’s presence kept Carmen’s white-knuckled grip on self-restraint. She couldn’t do anything in front of her client that would make her question her judgment. It was hard enough to represent someone twenty years older than her and a hundred times more successful.
The elevator stopped on another parking deck. An unexpected sight jarred her out of her restrained rage. Fortune Firestone, her pixie gray hair lighter than it had been a few days ago, whirled into the elevator, the metallic fringe on her shawl clinging.
“Good afternoon,” Fortune said while sucking in a massive breath like she was inhaling some exotic incense. “It’s a gorgeous day, isn’t it? Auspicious,” she added, eyes bright and inquisitive.
At her side, Elaine looked confused until Fortune held out her hand, stopping the elevator from closing.
“I think we’ll have one more,” Fortune said, her unpainted lips in a grin that bordered on maniacal.
Carmen didn’t know what she meant until a woman stepped into the elevator. Out of context, it took Carmen a beat to recognize her.
The tall twenty-something, skin golden and curly brown hair like a halo around her perfect face, Starla Gaffney had recently gone from soap opera unknown to hot up-and-comer. Coming out of the celluloid closet by straddling Roxxxy half-naked in a hot tub in her latest music video had not only been excruciatingly hot, it had made for a viral moment.
“Starla, you’re early,” Lola said, glancing down at her watch. “Our appointment isn’t until three.”
The ripple in her day obviously sent Lola into a tailspin. It wasn’t quite the poetic justice she’d like for her little game with the car, but it was nice to see her lose her satisfied smirk.
“Aren’t we all the luckier for you arriving early?” Elaine smiled, stepping back to give Starla room.
Starla smiled shyly at Elaine, tucking a curl behind her ear. Her demure energy was nothing like the woman who’d licked champagne from between Roxxxy’s boobs.
“I’m Elaine.” She held out her hand, so focused on Starla it was like everyone else had disappeared.
“Starla.” She slipped her hand into Elaine’s hand, her smile growing.
Lola looked between them, eyebrows raised. Carmen fought a smirk at Lola’s obvious irritation over the disruption. Fortune, she couldn’t help but notice, was inexplicably pleased at Elaine and Starla’s instant vibe.
“What brings you by early?” Elaine asked, as if they’d known each other longer than four seconds.
“Oh, I finished a photoshoot and thought I’d meet my agent early before heading home.” Starla said it like Lola wasn’t standing right next to her.
With all the composure of an earthquake, Lola wore her irritation all over her face. Was she jealous? Did she have a thing for Starla?
Carmen’s thoughts raced away from her. Maybe Starla and Lola were sleeping together. That obviously happened sometimes. Dominion openly represented queer, female-identifying people. Lots of opportunity to get close to gorgeous starlets. Carmen kept herself from wearing her frown on her face.
Fortune clasped her hands as soon as the elevator started moving again. Gazing between Elaine and Starla, who both looked like they’d been gunned down by an entire quiver of Cupid’s arrows, she grinned with her whole being. “What perfect timing!” She beamed. “Soul flames burn brightest when they find their twins.”
Carmen nearly laughed at the dramatic proclamation but caught herself. She couldn’t help but glance at Lola, who had no problem wearing her get-the-fuck-outta-here thoughts on her face.
“Starla, you must be famished after your shoot. Do you want to grab something to eat? Maybe a quick coffee? Since you have time before your meeting,” Elaine asked like they didn't have their own meeting planned.
Starla’s face lit up. Her lips were apparently incapable of shaking her smile. “I’d love that,” she said softly, her hand still in Elaine’s for a marathon handshake.
When the elevator opened at the firm, Carmen got out and Elaine shot her a look and mouthed, “I’ll call you later” without moving a muscle.
Lola stood rigidly, staring at them in disbelief as the doors slid closed. Fortune was as bright as a full moon and brimming with delight.
