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Expression dubious, Martina rose from her seat like she was expecting to be the punchline to a practical joke. Despite her open reservation, Martina followed Lola into the conference room, confusion written across her face. Kiki was already seated at the long table, sipping her coffee.
“Hey!” Kiki’s eyes brightened when she saw Lola. “You didn’t tell me that we were coming to slay, bitch!” She snapped her fingers at Lola.
Crossing the room, Lola greeted Kiki with a kiss on the cheek. “I have to keep up with you, Hollywood Glamour.”
Kiki threw back the hair she’d just put into long braids. “I’m not gonna lie. That California air suits me.”
After more pleasantries, Lola introduced Martina and sat next to Kiki. When Martina sat in one of the corner chairs along the back wall where assistants usually sat at meetings, Lola motioned for her to sit next to her at the glass conference table.
“Before we meet with the lawyer on her network contract, I want to go over a few things.” Lola shuffled a clean copy of the contract she’d redlined to death. “Kiki, you don’t mind if I have a teachable moment, do you?”
“Not if it helps me keep my coin,” she replied with a broad smile.
“For both of you,” Lola explained, looking at Martina.
She slid the contract over to Martina first, who stared down at it, baffled.
“Take a look at section 3B,” Lola instructed when Martina had enough time to hunt.
Martina blinked, clearly not expecting to be put on the spot. She scanned the clause, brow furrowing. Lola had no intention of tricking her, and she was sure if Martina would stop looking for the trap, she’d see that.
“Um, the non-compete, this deviates from our standard terms,” she said slowly, unsure. “It would really limit Kiki’s opportunities for basically all things pop culture and current events.”
“Exactly,” Lola said. “And that’s why they’ve chosen Florida law and are claiming it as Kiki’s domicile. They wouldn’t be able to enforce the covenant under California law. At least not now.”
Martina and Kiki both nodded. “The lawyer should catch that, but the lesson is always read every word of these things.” She held up the pages for emphasis. “Even if you have to google every damn word in it, okay? When you talk to the lawyer, you should be ready to question every single little thing that seems strange—”
“Like why a California news studio would want to have a contract governed by Florida law,” Martina said.
Lola nodded once. “Exactly.”
By the time they wrapped up, Martina was energized. Jumping to her feet before Lola stood, she insisted on escorting Kiki to her car downstairs.
“Thank you,” Martina said after Kiki was out of the room. “For teaching me.”
Lola’s muscles tightened before she offered a curt nod.
“I’ll go pick up those album mock-ups for your meeting with Roxy later,” Martina said before leaving.
Lola tried to sayfor our meeting, but there was only so much generosity in her spirit at one time. One step at a time. “Thanks.”
Notepad tucked under her arm, Lola slipped out of the conference room to find Natalia standing outside her office. Glasses in hand, Natalia tipped her head in something like approval before returning to her office.
When Lola turned her back on Natalia’s office, she couldn’t stop the grin that erupted on her lips. It was all she could do not to strutSaturday Night Feverstyle and belt Pat Benatar’sHit MeWith Your Best Shotat the top of her lungs.
She’d intended to go back to her office, but stopped when she noticed Adriana sitting at her desk looking down at her tablet. Generosity recharged, she changed course and strode toward Adriana’s office.
Ignoring the framed picture of Adriana and Roxy at some weird-ass alien diner on her desk — which Lola had to admit was cute in a disgustingly saccharine way — Lola announced herself by clearing her throat.
“I guess you’re not the worst,” Lola said when Adriana looked up, eyes not quite the blue of lifeless frozen lakes… maybe more like the mystery of Neptune.
Adriana laughed. “Wow, thank you for the glowing compliment.” She gestured for Lola to sit. “To what do I owe your five-starYelpreview?”
Lola tucked her hands in her lap, unsure of how to say what she wanted to say. “Your advice… about Martina. It wasn’t terrible.”
Adriana quirked a brow as she leaned back in her chair, clicking the cap of her ballpoint pen. “If you keep sweet talking me like this, you’re going to spoil me.”
Lola bit back her amusement. Baby steps were in order. It’s not like Adriana was going to invite her over to trade pedicures and gossip about girls.
