Page 52 of The Boss I Can't Stand
“Or,” Cathleen said pointedly, “get the wig department to have another go at the hair.”
“Morning,” I said, walking over, hiding a chuckle at the way they both startled. When they got caught up in arguing, it was like the rest of the world faded away. They always seemed surprised when they were forced to acknowledge they weren’t alone. “Wig troubles?” I asked.
X made a sound of uncertainty. I looked over his shoulder at the stills. “It’s…not horrible.”
“‘Not horrible’ does not get us nominated for awards,” X said. While we discussed potential fixes—new wigs, haircuts, cloche hats—Icouldn’t help studying Cathleen, comparing her to that woman from Finn’s polaroid.
Looking at her now, vibrant and engaged and playfully sparring with X, it was hard to imagine this was the same woman who’d fallen apart when her husband had walked out. I liked Cathleen, a lot, and my chest tightened as I considered how deeply her experience had hurt her.
As the meeting wrapped up, she looped her arm through mine, pulling me close. “I’m hosting a family dinner at Liam’s place—that’s Finn’s older brother—next month. I’d love it if you could join us.” She reached down for my hand, her finger grazing the ring on my finger.
My insides flipped as the moment turned awkward.
“You know the engagement is fake, right? It’s only for the press.” I looked into her blue eyes. Finn had told me she knew about the arrangement. But receiving that invite, I had to be sure. “Cathleen, I’m not really going to be part of the family.”
She tittered, waving off my concern. “Yes, Finn told me everything. But it’s been so lovely working with you. And I’d really love it if you would come. Just think about it, yes?”
“Let’s see how the schedule shapes up,” I said, not fully wanting to commit, especially without talking to Finn first.
“Yes, of course,” she said as we headed off for the set. “I’ll send you details.”
As I watched her flit to X’s side, probably to point out more historical inaccuracies, I couldn’t help wondering if Finn knew what she was up to.
19
SIERRA
“Idon’t know why it needs to be so specific,” I said to Finn on our way out the door, headed for his car in the parking lot. “We’ve already talked about how we met in multiple interviews.”
“No,” he said. “We’ve mentioned that we met on set during preproduction. We didn’t give details of our made-up first meeting.”
“Why would we?” I frowned.
“Because according to Jillian, those details are what’s going to sell this next interview,” he explained. “We have to sprinkle a few more personal details with every bit of press in order to keep people engaged. So she wants us to come up with a story we both agree on.”
“Fine.” I sighed, my lips buzzing together. “How about we say I bought you a cup of coffee?”
“Why would you be buying me coffee?” he asked.
“Probably because you looked stressed.”
“No,” he argued. “I should be the one buying you coffee.”
“’Cause you’re the man?” I said, rolling my eyes.
“Don’t start that,” he grumbled.
“Start what?” I said, unable to resist baiting him. “Accusing you of being a sexist jerk during our first meeting? Maybe we should just tell them how we really met. That way we won’t have to make anything up.”
“Right. At In Stitches, with you being the worst sales associate ever.”
“Me?” I cried. “You were a customer from hell!”
“You charged me an asshole tax!” He held the door open for me.
“Which was well deserved,” I pointed out. “Youwerebeing an asshole, making me keep the store open late.”
“Oh please,” Finn said. “I was the highlight of your evening. Before that, you were probably carrying on a one-sided conversation with that damn mannequin.”
