“No, that’s correct.”
“Then why are you spending most of your time taking pictures of Last Rites, instead of working down the list of other tasks I emailed you?”
A chill ran down my spine. “I’ve been doing both. Have I missed a deadline on something? I’m sorry, it wasn’t my—”
She brought her palm up to silence me. “Molly, I know the reputation I have at the firm for being a hard-ass. But I’ve gotten where I am by having an eye for talent. I gave you this opportunity in large part because I saw your potential. You’re organized, sharp, and know how to hustle. I don’t need to explain things to you twice. And you understand musicians better than most of the people in this building ever will, which I presume is due to you growing up with your sister. I think you have what it takes to be a music manager one day. Maybe even a great one. But I’m not going to invest my time into you if that’s not the path you want to take. So tell me, what is it that you want?”
The aftertaste of the coffee burned on my tongue. “No, that’s— I mean, it’s what I came to Hyperion for. To be a music manager. What else would I want? The photography stuff is just a hobby. Really. I may have gotten a bit carried away with it.”
Trinity tapped the end of her pen on the desk. “Are you sure about that?”
No.“Yes.” It was Kaz’s fault for planting ideas in my head, and mine for listening.
“I hope for your sake that’s true, because it’s a hell of a lot easier to make a living as a music manager than a photographer. Not that the former doesn’t come with its own challenges.”
But she’d made it. And maybe, if I just managed to stay focused, I could count on Trinity to be my mentor.
“It’s one hundred percent true,” I said, even if it didn’t feel completely honest. “Do you want me to stop doing the photos?”
She tipped her chin, peering down at me. “Cut down on the time you spend each week doing it, but don’t stop yet. You’re capturing a lot of good content that we’ll be able to use in some shape or form.”
Relief swept over me. “Of course.”
“And I want you to be at the photoshoot. Get some behind-the-scenes shots.”
“I don’t want to step on Theo’s toes.”
“Then don’t. Make yourself small, and maybe ask Mason and Kaz not to bring up the fact they’d rather have you take their pictures.”
“Will do.”
“Good. I’ll forward you the finalized brief so that you can prep the guys on what to expect.” She cracked open her laptop to signal I was dismissed.
I rose. “Thank you.”
“Sure.” She flicked her eyes back to me. “And, Molly, when I gave you this assignment, I made the call to ignore whatever history you may have had with Mason and Kaz back at college. I hope that wasn’t a mistake.”
I was sure Trinity never let herself get this tangled up with the acts she managed. I was sleeping with Kaz, reconciling with Mason, and getting involved with both of them in a way that undoubtedly crossed the line of professionalism. But none of that mattered as long as it didn’t affect the quality of my work, right? If anything, I was more motivated now than ever to help them find the success they deserved.
“You didn’t.” I slipped out the door and shut it behind me.
* * *
“Do you think there’s something inherently immoral about hooking up with one of our clients?” I asked Piper as we ate our lunch in her car.
She nearly choked on her food. When the coughing fit subsided, she flicked a strand of hair out of her face and turned her entire body to look at me. “That’s not a hypothetical question, is it?”
“Um…”
Her eyes grew wide. “Oh my God, which one? Or wait, are you taking notes from your sister and doing both of them at the same time?”
“No!” I exclaimed, even as my body lit up unexpectedly at the suggestion.
It was the strangest thing. The thought of being with both of them had never crossed my mind before, but now that it was there…
The wild thing stirred inside of me, eager and curious. This was precisely why I needed to keep her locked up far, far away inside my brain. Piper’s suggestion should not have given me such a thrill. Sure, given my family circumstances I was pretty openminded about sexuality and attraction, but I was also rational. I knew what my sister had with her multiple partners wasn’t a normal thing. Most people didn’t like to share. In fact, most people wrinkled their noses at the thought.
So why didn’t I?
