ANDREA
“Can you try to look a lot less constipated and a little more turned on by your co-star?” Lisa groaned. “These pictures are for my bestselling series, and I can’t afford for you to ruin another shoot! They need to look hot!”
“I’m sorry.” I tried to smile at the hot male model next to me. “I’ll do better.”
“When?” She moved his camera. “Like, today or sometime next week?”
“I’m really trying, Lisa.” My voice cracked. “I look happy and in love, see?”
I leaned in closer to the model, close enough for his lips to touch mine, but my vision blurred and I burst into tears.
“Um…” The model cleared his throat. “Should I start crying for this shot, too?”
“No.” Lisa shook her head. “No, please don’t.”
She signaled for the photographer to put away his camera. “We’re done for the day, everyone. I’ll email later with a new schedule.”
The model shot me a look of sympathy before disappearing, while the photographer set down one of the rose bouquet props from earlier.
Lisa plopped down on the bench next to me, sighing.
“I’m sorry,” I said. “I’ll do better next time, I swear. My emotions are just getting the best of me today, that’s all.”
“They’ve been getting the best of you ever since the breakup, Andrea,” she said. “You’re falling apart like you were the one in the wrong, not him.”
“Was it wrong for me to get mad about the layoffs?” I asked. “Like, honestly? Was his lie really unforgivable?”
She looked like she wanted to strangle me.
“You need to go cold turkey as soon as possible,” she said. “You’re still clinging to him, and that’s the problem.”
“No, I’m not.” I shook my head. “I haven’t talked to him at all, and I’ve blocked his calls.”
“What about his texts and emails?”
I said nothing.
I’d only muted those.
“Have you packed up your desk and removed all your things from headquarters?” she pressed.
“I’m planning on it,” I said. “I just haven’t had the time.”
“It’s not like you’re working…” She looked at me. “You’re secretly hoping he won’t be exactly who he showed himself to be and you’ll get back together.”
“Stop talking to me like this is one of your romance novels.”
“You need to completely cut all ties.” She squeezed my hand. “The quicker, the better.”
I knew she was right, but I refused to agree.
“At least block his texts, Andrea. Do it today.”
“Okay…”
“You promise?”
No.“I promise.”
