Page 35 of Nothing to No One

Her faux fiancé wasn’t the only one to pale into insignificance. No man matched up. It hadn’t occurred to her to look at any of the men in the vicinity. Even those in shorts or shirtless were invisible. Actors and crew members clearly usedto the LA way with impressive physiques, perfect tans, and a sparkle in their eye were meaningless.

She wasn’t a lioness on the Serengeti out desperate for any meal. She wasn’t looking to sink her teeth into someone and never let go in hopes of holding on to the Hollywood dream. Hollywood meant nothing. The TV show meant nothing. WMC, CollCom, big company names were thrown around like she should be awed. She didn’t care. The only thing that distracted her was the glimmer of jealousy that Mieux knew what Struan did with parsnips. Even if the result was hideous, she wanted a taste.

He got halfway to her when someone touched her shoulder. She turned and there was Mieux approaching with two men in her wake.

“Tommy and Teddy,” Mieux said, pointing at one then the other. Yeah, she wouldn’t remember that. “A couple of other guys work with them too. They’re the film crew.”

“ForUndercover Ops?”

Everybody laughed like she’d missed something. Okay, so she’d missed something. Was it funny she’d missed something?

“Oh, no,” said Teddy, maybe Tommy. “We’re doing aMaking of…special. We followed some of the preproduction and we’ll film through the reshoot of the pilot with Roman. Right through every stage of prep, filming, press, everything. It’s great exposure, especially these days, when you have to keep up an online presence and really hype what’s coming, what’s new.”

“Okay,” she said, neither impressed nor interested.

Maybe it wasn’t subtle, but she twisted just a little while brushing her hair from her brow. Struan was rooted to the spot he’d stopped on when she got up. The space between his eyelids hadn’t grown, but he didn’t seem confused or concerned anymore. He was pissed off these two men got to her before he did, before he could.

She tried to smile while simultaneously attempting to conceal the truth of her fascination in turning back to the others.

Mieux, thank goodness, had her hand on the wheel. “You’ll be working with them.”

“I’ll be working with them? Just me. Where will Renata and Perry be?”

“No! All of us will be working together,” Renata said and looped an arm through hers as though they were besties.

When did that shift in their relationship happen? She’d missed the memo.

“Whatever your team needs, we’ll provide. Leslie thought it was a good idea to keep a little separation between you and Roman, if you don’t mind. Roman agreed with the idea.”

“I know he did,” she said like he’d already clued her in.

“You do?” Teddy asked, his eyes flicking to each of the faces around him. “We just got done with that conversation.”

“We talked about it before.”

Shooting for confidence may be a bad idea, but she had to own it. On asking questions, she seemed peculiar and out of touch. When she didn’t, she hit presumptuous and grabby. Would she ever get the balance right?

The physical link with her supervisor didn’t last long, thank goodness. Renata and Perry were quick to follow the guys.

Mieux quickly took her place, using the connection to slow and put some space between them and the others. “Are you okay?”

“Yeah, I’m fine. We shouldn’t miss what the others—”

“I’m here for you.” Which had been said many times. “Do you want to find Roman?”

“No, he’s working.”

“Struan?” How did she not react to that? Eyes front. Keep walking. “My job involves discretion.”

“I read Brooker’s handbook too.”

Was she getting snarky? None of this was Mieux’s problem or fault.

“Not like this.” Mieux pulled them to a halt. “I don’t talk about my clients; I don’t puff myself up. I pride myself on what I do. My job is the most important thing in my life; it’s all I have.”

Had someone said something or was this seemingly innocuous woman sharper than she let on?

Could be that, or she was taking a chance at grabbing some gossip. Something told her Mieux wouldn’t be trusted by the people who trusted her if she was untrustworthy.

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