The first woman tells me her name, too, but at that exact moment someone comes in and triggers the bell over the door, so I don’t hear it clearly. Weirdly, they’re looking at me expectantly now, like maybe I’m supposed to know who they are? They do both look vaguely familiar, but between the busy diner and the extra sugar and the invitation to sit with strangers, I’m feeling extra slow today. “Nina,” I tell them.
They exchange a quick look while trying not to let me notice they’re exchanging a look.Oh, brother, here we go again. I feel like everything I do and say is pretty normal. Why does everyone always act like I’m announcing that I’m an alien queen from the pancake planet?
Instead of focusing on them, I dig into my first bite of pie, bracing myself for the rush of sweetness and flavor as I put it into my mouth, not quite fully ready for just how rich and delicious it will be. “Oh,” I moan without meaning to.
What a weird thing to do! Bleating like I’m a sheep that’s just been led out to pasture. Embarrassed, I glance up at the two ladies, but luckily, they seem to find my odd noises amusing and not mortifying. “My kind of girl,” the first woman encourages. “A pie that good should be savored.”
“I don’t recognize you from around here,” Rae adds. “Are you one of ours?”
I blink back at her, not understanding. “One of yours?”
“Are you here for the show?”
All at once, everything clicks into place for me. That’s where I recognize these two women from. Raquel “Rae” Ezra and Sienna Diaz. The executive producers ofMountain Man. Two of the most famous actresses in the world, and I couldn’t place them because I was too dazzled by pie. I feel like an idiot.
But even more worrying than that is the knowledge that Uncle Aaron is not going to like this. I wasn’t even allowed to film the family package because he was afraid I would try to steal Harmony’s shine. So instead I went into town and shared a table with two of the producers of the show. None of it was intentional, of course, but I’m sure Uncle Aaron won’t see it that way.
“No,” I manage finally, wondering how I can politely extract myself from the situation. “My cousin is one of the Mountainettes. Harmony Miller?”
“Oh, right! She seems like such a sweetheart from her audition tapes.” Sienna smiles encouragingly, as if she senses my sudden shift in mood and wants to reassure me. “We’re meeting all the women this evening for cocktails.”
“Hmm.” I use another bite of pie as a reason not to commit to more conversation. Not that it’s a hardship. It’s really good pie.
“You didn’t want to be on TV?” Rae asks. “You have the face for it.”
“Absolutely adorable,” Sienna agrees.
I feel my skin heating. “Oh. Thank you. No. That’s more Harmony’s thing.”
“Oh. So what’s your thing?”
I’m not sure why these two women are so interested in me. Most likely they feel sorry for me. I wish I could tell them that it’s okay, I know I’m nothing special. I’ve made peace with that. I’m the person in the back of the family pictures, if I make it into them at all. I don’t have much of interest to say. I’m not charming or vivacious or funny. I’m happiest at home, alone, lost in one of my fashion magazines.
I should have stayed back at the hotel.
You should have, but your vanity got in the way.Now it’s Uncle Aaron’s voice in my head, sounding stern and disapproving.You were upset that you didn’t get to tag along for the family package, so you decided to make a spectacle of yourself in town.
Swallowing, I realize that too long of a pause has followed Sienna’s question, and now both women are looking slightly worried behind their smiles. I should say something, then find a reason to politely excuse myself. Without overthinking it too much, I tell the truth. “I like design. Sewing. Clothing. Costumes.”
I brace myself for them to look at me like I’m an idiot. My own wardrobe is hardly what anyone would call fashionable. But my interest in clothing has never been about how any piece would look on me. I like seeing how clothing can transform other people, make them into their best, most beautiful and confident selves.
To my surprise, they both seem interested, not dismissive. I’m sure they’re only being polite, but it still feels nice not to have someone roll their eyes when you tell them about your dream.
Sienna leans forward. “It’s funny you should say that. We’ve been looking for a few extra interns to help out with our wardrobe department.”
“We have?” Rae asks—then, exchanging a glance with Sienna, she quickly corrects herself. “We have! That’s right. I forgot about that.”
She might be a great actress on screen, but her delivery in person is less than convincing. Still, I can’t help the jolt of excitement that rushes through me. They’re offering me the chance to work in a wardrobe department? For a television show? I think of all the costumes, the fabric, the buttons. The sequins! I bet there’ll be a lot of sequins for a show like this. I might not look like it, but I’m someone who appreciates a little shimmer and shine.
As soon as my hope starts to build, though, I instinctively squash it back down. They aren’t offering me the position because I’ve demonstrated any skill or talent. It’s because they feel sorry for me. It’s exactly the kind of charity that Uncle Aaron is always warning me against taking.Remember it has to come from somewhere, he’ll tell me darkly,and it has to be taken away from somebody else.
Oblivious to my dark turn of thoughts, Sienna continues, “Since you’re going to be around for the filming anyway, you might as well get some experience out of it, right?”
I look back and forth between them, torn. I can tell that what they’re offering comes from such a kind place. And they’re both so persuasively beautiful, it’s hard to even comprehend the idea of turning them down. Truthfully, I don’t want to turn them down. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and they’re just handing it to me out of the kindness of their hearts.
But it’s not just about what I want. Sometimes I have to put the family first. It feels like I only ever put my family first, but apparently it’s still not enough. “I don’t know ...”
Sienna leans forward, arresting me with her beautiful, dark eyes. “Nina, can I be totally honest with you? You would be doing us a favor if you agreed to this.”
