Page 108 of Caught Looking

Everett blushed. “I, uh, yeah. That will probably happen. Hey, I just saw Chris. I need to ask him something about the pitching rotation.” He dipped his head and left like an afternoon thunderstorm.Fast.

But if Willa noticed his blush or stammering, she didn’t show it. “So, I know Seth won’t leave your side for all the money in the world, but I was assured we are quite secure in here.” She shooed him away. “Why don’t you go talk shop with these rich people and let me have some girl time with Annalise.”

Seth pursed his lips. He wasn’t happy. But he wasn’t going to fight us either. He pointed at Willa. “Keep her safe. I’m trusting you.”

“Let Annalise breathe!” She pushed him towards the throng of tuxedos. “Finally!”

“Thanks for the assist.” It was nice to have some space.

“No problem. You had this tight look on your face and Seth said something about doubling your security. I decided to swoop in.”

“How often do you talk to Seth?” I wasn’t jealous. Just…curious. They seemed to have a shorthand. Sometimes he’d pick up the phone, say four or five words and hang up. When I would ask what happened he would shrug and just say “Willa.”

“Talk is an ambiguous word. On the largest scale wetalkseveral times a day…if by talk you mean trade a message or two or ask a question or share a picture. But if you mean have longer conversations about our days or our lives…then only once or twice a month.”

“Any word on the documentary?” I guided her towards the appetizers and piled several on a small plate.

“Supposed to hear by the end of the week.”

“So…tomorrow?”

“Yep. But I’ll get it.” She popped a shrimp concoction into her mouth.

“How can you be so sure?” I loved her confidence though.

“Because, like I told you, the vibes were right. I don’t blame them for interviewing several candidates and fully vetting each of us. They don’t want to get burned again. However, in the end, I am the only logical choice.”

“Seth showed me the film you made for their college team. Will it be like that?” It was impressive. Tugged on my heartstrings. And that was nearly a decade ago. Willa had worked on dozens of projects, big and small since then. I could only imagine her skills had multiplied.

“No. At least I don’t think so. I’ve decided I don’t want to approach the team withmyvision. I want to bewiththe team. Feel your energy. Get to know you all. I’ll craft it from there.”

“An inside out approach.”

“Exactly. She tossed her plate in the trash. “Will you show me where the loo is?”

Oddly, my first reaction was to scan the crowd for Mercedes or another member of our team. Even though we were supposedly in a perfectly safe room. I hated that scanning the room was now my default reaction to being asked to go anywhere.

“I’m not leaving your side,” Willa said. “Well, except while I’m peeing. I’m sorry but I’m kind of a shy pee-er.” She tugged me towards the door.

“Don’t worry. I prefer to wait outside the stall.” We breezed out of the room and across the hallway to the bathrooms. While Willa did her business I checked my hair. I had it swept off to the side because whenever I wore my hair this way Seth would constantly drop kisses on my throat and shoulder—something I found quite pleasurable.

“Shit!”

I spun around. “What’s wrong?”

“I got my period. You don’t happen to have a tampon, do you?”

“I have one in my purse, but Mercedes has it. I’ll be right back.”

“No! I’m not supposed to leave your side! Give me a few seconds and we’ll go together.”

I rolled my eyes. “I’m only going to be gone for a minute. She’s probably waiting outside.” My mom, practical to a fault, taught me to never leave home without at least one tampon in my purse. Not just for me but for anyone else who might need a helping hand.

That little trick had saved my friends on at least a dozen occasions at this point.

Mercedes wasnotpleased when I found her. She accompanied me back to the restroom and never left my side again.

Neither did Seth. He was so close we might as well have merged bodies. Apparently I was going to have to learn how to play baseball and Seth would get a crash course in soccer.

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