“Such wonderful news, right? My advice is to get your next recording in ASAP and show them you mean business. I emailed it to you before I called. It’s a romantic scene, I know, not your favorite, but I have faith you’ll knock it out of the park like you always do.”
“Another excerpt? I’m not sure I have time?—”
“Of course you do. This is a big opportunity for you, remember? When can you send it to me?”
Reese lifts up both her thumbs, nodding her head encouragingly from across the room.
I frown, not exactly pleased.
“I’m still on vacation . . .”
“So you have nothing but time to work on it. Wonderful to hear,” she says brightly.
“That’s not what?—”
“Oh shoot, I have to run, my darling. An agent’s work is never done.”
“Nicole, I don’t think?—”
“Talk soon.”
I growl when the phone clicks off. Though Nicole has a keen eye for talent and network connection in the industry, it’s frustrating that she keeps brushing me off. Maybe I need a new agent.
“Oh, Tris.” Reese wraps her arms around me. “I’m sorry you didn’t get the part.”
I don’t waste the chance to return the embrace, snuggling in close. I could get used to her hugs every day.
“No, that’s not it. She told me I got another call back for a book.”
“That’s good news, right? Why do you seem upset?”
“I don’t know if I like the romance books. They feel so forced to me.”
Her jaw drops. “Are you kidding me? You, or should I say Austin, is very talented. Ahem, you saw me on the bus.” She blinks suddenly as if remembering. “Wait. Were you jealous of Austin? Was that why you were so cranky?”
“Can you blame me? A beautiful girl in the seat next to me was practically swooning over him but couldn’t give me the time of day.”
“Wow. Twobeautifuls in one day? It might go to my head. Now I feel terrible I’ve been such a jerk lately.”
“Lately?”
She rolls her eyes and laughs. “Why is it so hard to apologize to you? I’m sorry, Tris.”
I grab her hand, enjoying the way her fingers wrap around mine.
“I accept, Reese’s Cup. But I think we’re going to have to call it a night. It’s been a long day on the road. Are we tradingbeds? I feel like you should have the authentic motorhome experience like I had last night,” I suggest.
Laughing, she shakes her head. “Not a chance. I don’t want to sleep in a sardine can.”
“And I do?”
She pats me on the shoulder. “You should have thought about that before you tagged along for the ride, bud.”
I reach for her sides, hoping to tickle out an agreement, but she anticipates my moves and spins out of my grip to the bedroom.
“Nice try, Tris.” Her laughter follows her to the bedroom and ends in a muffled squeal.
I’m at the door in seconds. She sits in a puddle in the middle of the bed, the vent above her steadily dripping onto the comforter.
