Page 18 of Cinderella Is Faking It

“Get me her next appearance as soon as it pops up on your radar.” I had a feeling, if I tried to stitch things up on the phone this time, Cordelia’s assistant Page wouldn’t be able to help me, let alone connect me to Del, because she would mysteriously be unavailable all day.

“No problem.” Julian straightened and reached for the door, then bent down again. “Oh, by the way, next time you take her for smoothies, put some flaxseed in it. It apparently breaks down the hormones in contraceptive pills. In case you’re aiming for a shotgun wedding.” He slammed the door shut before I even had the chance to formulate a reply.

My ring finger might have had a 20-billion price tag, but we both knew what having two kids against her will had done to our mother. No amount of money could turn me into our father. Nothing was worth repeating that shit show.

NINE

I didn’t wakeup today, thinking I would get poked and prodded by a dozen wet noses, but here I was. Apparently, Fitzwilliam had left a very distinct smell on my clothes. I tried to gently push back the golden retriever trying to bury its snout in my lap. “Oh god, oh god, oh god,” I whined, wriggling my fingers in its face.

I’d gotten a cat for a reason.

The huge husky currently trying to paw off my shoes had tackled me into the corner of the yoga studio earlier and I’d almost started crying. These guys had way too much muscle power, and way too large teeth.

“Jesus, that’s not going work, is it?” Tabitha huffed and just pushed the dogs off by their shoulders. “Are you hiding a steak in your pants?”

“I think they can smell Fitz.”

“I guess that means no dog yoga video.” She shrugged, glancing over her shoulder at the other women in class, who were glaring at me. Yeah, I’d hate it too if I signed up for dog yoga and all the dogs were hyperfixated on the girl with the camera.

Since getting fired, Tab had hired me to be her camerawoman every now and again. We had already tackled hot yoga, beer yoga and goat yoga. She said it kept her content dynamic, but really, it was likely just her attempt to give me money after I’d refused to accept it as a gift. “Sorry.” I handed over her stupid expensive camera. I always panicked about potentially dropping and breaking it, but Tabitha handled it like she handled her phone. The cracked display was all her. “I’ll wait outside for you.”

“Eh, we might as well just get out.” She waved me off before I could come up with some way to film the video anyway and grabbed her gym bag from the corner. “I’m starving. Let’s get burgers.”

“We just had breakfast,” I said once we were out of the studio.

“Okay, but I don’t live in the past. And in the present, I’m starving.” She drummed her fingers against her bare, toned stomach. “Or maybe hot dogs. Am I craving hot dogs? Talk to me, Kevin.” She glared at her stomach, which had such a mind of its own, it did deserve a name. The number of timesKevinhad derailed our dinner plans… Unfortunately, it wasn’t just cravings. Sometimes Kevin just decided he didn’t likeanyfood, and it all came back out.

“Sounds like Kevin wants meat and carbs,” I said.

Her stomach growled in agreement. “Burritos! Amazing. Good call.” She rubbed her belly button and grinned at me. “He likes you.”

A young woman walked past us with a stroller and gave us a big smile that suggested she was severely misunderstanding the situation. Little did she know, we had agreed that Kevin personified looked like Stanley Tucci - not a darling baby cherub.

My phone buzzed in my pocket, and I pulled it out, only to narrow my eyes at the unknown caller ID. I’d not heard from Cordelia in a few days, and I’d saved her number, but this whole mess had gotten too complicated to reject any calls.

“Hello,” I answered, nice and vague.

“Hello, Miss Edwards?” The baritone voice was vaguely familiar.

“Yes?”

“This is Principal Baker from Truman Academy.”

My heart stopped. Oh god. A call. An actual call. Not an email to thank me for my time. “Hello, Mr. Baker,” I squeaked and grabbed Tab’s arm to haul her into the entryway of the building we were passing. I was not having this conversation while walking. No multitasking. Maximum brain capacity. “It’s good to hear from you.”

“I apologize for taking this long to get back to you, Miss Edwards, we had a little trouble contacting your previous school.” Tabitha pulled a face as my grip on her arm tightened.

“Oh,” I gasped. Oh god, oh god, oh god. Was the air around me thinning? Because I couldn’t breathe, and colorful spots danced across my vision.

“Well, we finally managed, and it looks like everything is in order. I personally think you would be a great fit for the Academy, so if you’re still available, I would like to invite you to a follow-up interview.”

My knees gave out and I sank to the floor, pulling Tabitha with me. She crouched in front of me, eyes torn open in alarm, as tears welled up in my eyes. “That sounds great,” I said, voice clogged.

“I’m glad to hear that. I will email you the details. This follow-up will be a video call, as one of our English teachers, Mr. Day, and Mrs. Gretzki from the school administration will join us, but both are enjoying their summer holidays with their families.” He chuckled. “Do you have upcoming holiday plans we should consider?”

“Nope.” I pushed the word out through a blocked throat.

“Alright, I’ll let you get back to your day. I look forward to talking to you again.”

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