“Cool,” Dana said, knowing she lacked enthusiasm.
They walked through the connecting door and into the café, which was somewhat busy, but Dana spotted a table in the corner that they could take. She pointed Lainey in that direction and headed to the counter.
“Hey, Juliet,” she said.
“Oh, hey,” Juliet greeted back with a smile.
“India gave me her badge and said it was okay.”
“Sure.” Juliet laughed. “Staying here or taking to-go?”
“Staying here. I’m going to order for Lainey, too, and I’ll just get Paige’s while I’m here. You’re working late?”
“I’ve had a training class go long, but Gwen is picking me up in a few minutes. She’s wrapping up her last client of the day, so I figured I’d just help with the rush while I wait for her. What can I get for you?”
Dana ordered for the three of them, assuming Maisie and India would order for themselves if they wanted something, and Juliet swiped India’s badge. Dana’s drip coffee was free. Paige and Lainey’s drinks were thirty percent off, so she handed Juliet a ten-dollar bill and told her to keep the change.Then, she waited for the drinks and carried them to the table.
“I got Paige her usual, too.”
“Oh, cool. Thanks,” Lainey said. “She’s on her way.”
Dana sat down across from her sister, knowing Paige would take the seat next to her.
“So, how is it?” Lainey asked. “You’re finally doing it, huh? Acting in a movie. I’m really proud of you, you know?”
“Thanks. And it’s good. Great, really. I love it,” she replied, smiling widely. “It’s what I’ve always wanted.”
“Yeah? Better than you imagined?”
“It’s hard. There’s downtime, yeah, but it’s not like working a nine-to-five. I’m only here right now because I’m not in the scene they’re filming tonight, but it’s been a few long days, and that’ll continue. It’s a lot to get used to,” she shared and took a drink of her coffee.
“But it’s worth it?”
“Definitely,” she replied. “But I wanted to talk to you about something else.”
“What’s up?”
“You can’t tell anyone what I’m about to tell you, okay? Can you keepanythingfrom Paige? Like, at all?”
“I don’t usually, but if you really need me to sister-swear like we did when we were kids, I can. Paige won’t say anything if I ask her not to, though.”
“I know. I trust her, but it involves someone else, so I want to be extra careful. I really don’t want to say anything at all, but I need to talk to someone. I feel like I’m going crazy.”
“Is everything okay?” Lainey asked, leaning forward.
“I like Samara.”
“I thought she was a bitch.”
“She has her moments, but I really like her, Lainey. Like, I want to date her kind of like her.”
“Oh,” Lainey said. “Since when?”
“A few days now,” she replied. “I’ve also been making out with her for work for three days, and the woman can kiss. You have no idea. Her hands on my body light me up in a way nothing else ever had.”
“Well, she’s gorgeous, so that makes sense. But that’s her job, right? You’re playing romantic leads.”
Dana leaned in and said, “We kissed last night while we sexy danced.”
