“I’m filming some interviews for a sizzle reel. It’s like a trailer, of sorts.”
“A trailer for what?” He seems excited, leaning forward and cradling his chin in his palm with his elbow propped on the table.
“My documentary,” I say shyly, a smile curling at my lips.
“Oh, Chlo, tell Freddie about it,” Molly says, reaching across the table to the pizza box to grab another slice.
“Yeah, tell him!” Morgan cheers.
Nolan bumps my shoulder gently with his and gives me a look, as if encouraging me to go on.
I chuckle softly. “Alright… Do you want to hear about it?”
Freddie nods eagerly, and I set the scene, ready to tell him all about the idea I’ve had banging around in my head for years.
“Once upon a time, the world told a girl she couldn’t do something… Couldn’tbesomething,” I start, my voice shaky. I flick my eyes to Morgan, whose attention on me is rapt. “But then that girl decided to tell the world to fuck off, and she did it anyway.”
Freddie’s brows lift, and I smirk.
I dive into my pitch, the one I’ve been developing with Molly’s help, about ten incredible women who decided to reject what they were told they were capable of and followed their hearts instead, pursuing unique careers in fields that are dominated by men. Freddie eagerly asks questions; Nolan punctuates our conversation with his own thoughts—usually compliments about me—and Sora gets excited when I reveal some of the women I’ve identified as potential subjects.
It’s nice, telling my friends, the people who bring such warmth and fullness to my life, about my aspirations, my dreams, and having them be excited for me.
For the first time in a very long time, I feel it again…that tiny seed of creativity unfurling in my chest, blooming slowly beneath the surface and breathing new life back into that needling desire to create art, to tell a story, and to—finally, on my own terms—be seen.
Epilogue
SIX MONTHS LATER
“One grande flat white for Chloe!”
The redheaded barista’s voice is perky, if a little frazzled, as she deposits the drink on the mobile order pick-up counter. My hand itches to snag it and furiously gulp the caffeine into my system, but I wait as she disappears.
A moment later, she returns with another drink in hand, a smaller cup this time, and places it next to mine.
“…and an espresso, also for Chloe!” I shoot her a genuine smile as I take the two cups, one in each hand, and make my way to a small table near the back of the Starbucks.
I shift my bag off my shoulder, plunk it into the oversized armchair, and set the espresso down, focusing my full and undivided attention on the cup I’m still holding.
The rich scent fills my nostrils as I lift the coffee to my lips, taking a long, luxurious sip and exhaling a relaxed sigh.
Absolute perfection.
“You know, of all the types of coffee that exist in the world,airportcoffee is my favorite.”
It’s Nolan’s voice that sends the flood of warmth through my body, not the coffee, and I glance over my shoulder at him as his arms snake around me from behind.
“There’s something about it, right?” I say, my lips curving into a rueful smirk as I lean back into him.
“I missed you,” he whispers, nuzzling at my neck and dropping a quick kiss just under my ear.
“It’s only been twelve hours, you dork,” I tease. He chuckles and gives my ass a little pinch before untangling himself from me and snatching his espresso off the table.
“Get all the footage you needed?”
“Uh-huh,” I say, taking another sip. “I’ll show you on the plane, but I think this story has a lot of potential. I got someshots of her doing practice laps in her car, and she gave me a few great sound bites that I can use for the episode pitch.”
“That’s amazing, babe,” Nolan says with a grin.
