26. The Comeback Queen #2
Leo holds out a glass of champagne the moment I enter the restaurant. “For you. I don’t know where you’ve been hiding this version of Mina, but I want her around 24/7.”
I accept the glass with a sip and nod toward Ericka, earning a beaming smile in return. Seems the pop star is equally happy with the result of her music video.
After a bath and some tears, I spent the rest of the night listening to Ericka’s song and feeling my way into an adjusted dance routine. There was no way we could start from scratch with only one day to shoot, but we could tweak it.
I arrived on set an hour before everyone else, and as soon as the dancers arrived, I pitched my idea and then opened the floor to hear theirs. Seems we were all on the same page, and suddenly, it worked.
The music, the flow, even the attitudes fell in line, and we damn near nailed it on the second try.
Trust me, that’s no small feat.
By the end of the shoot, I had earned the respect of the entire crew and received a personal request from Ericka that I choreograph all her videos going forward.
It was a good day… with one exception.
I still haven’t spoken to Braden. Oh, he responded to my text, happy that I enjoyed it, but neither of us had time to expand further on the dialogue.
Besides, I’m not sure what to say. Who is she? Is it serious? Please don’t fall in love with someone else.
All seem like ridiculous demands when I’m the one who moved across the country.
“Tell me, what the hell changed in you yesterday?” Leo asks, grabbing a few shrimp from the buffet table. “Can I buy a bottle of it somewhere?”
“Actually, it was Braden.”
Leo nods, a knowing look crossing his face. “Is he in town?”
I shake my head and finger the comic tucked in my bag. “No, but he sent me this.”
Leo takes the comic and flips through it, chuckling as he reads the story. My story. “The Dance Dynamo, huh? This is fantastic. Where did he find it?”
“He made it.”
My friend looks like you could have knocked him over with a feather. “Braden made this? I knew he was an artist, but I didn’t know he was this kind of artist.”
I bristle at his words. “That right there is so annoying.”
His brow furrows. “What?”
“The surprise laced with condescension that Braden could be this talented. He’s the closest thing to perfect that I know. He’s beautiful, inside and out. Wickedly smart, funny, kind, generous?—”
Leo rests a hand on my arm, giving it a squeeze. “You don’t need to sing Braden’s attributes. I know he’s a hell of a guy. And although I’m sure he’d appreciate your mama bear protective streak, I wasn’t insulting him. Just didn’t realize that illustration was also an area of his expertise.”
God, now I feel like a total heel. I rub my brow and offer a rueful grin. “I’m sorry. Aunt Bitsy was so unkind to Braden.”
“Hey, I’m nothing like your aunt. You know, she’s still hounding me about us reconciling.” He doesn’t follow up on the statement, just leans against the bar, regarding me with his dark eyes.
Please don’t tell me we’re having this conversation now.
“Leo—”
He raises a hand and chuckles. “I told her it wasn’t going to happen.”
“How did you know?”
“Simple,” he shrugs. “You’re in love with Braden. It’s obvious to pretty much everyone who talks to you for more than a minute.”
“But he’s gone,” I wail, the emotions threatening to spill forth. “He’s moved on.”
“What makes you so sure?”
I huff out a sigh and finish my glass of champagne. “I called him last night. He picked up—but didn’t know he had. His ass answered, you know? He was laughing with some woman. I couldn’t make out what they were saying.”
“That’s it?” Leo snorts.
“Isn’t that enough?”
Leo motions for me to sit. “Mina, I say this with complete love—stop being an idiot.”
“What the hell does that mean?”
“So what that he’s out. Who the fuck cares? So are you, okay? But if you’re so worried about it, then go claim the man.”
“He lives across the country.”
“Then go home.”
I fold my arms across my chest, my voice rising. “Are you firing me? I did a great job today, Leo. How can you fire me?”
Leo pulls me into a hug, a wide smile on his face. “I’m not firing you, but let’s call it like it is—you’re not meant for LA. You’re an East Coast girl.”
“I don’t have a job back there, remember?”
“Sure, you do. I spoke with my partners after the shoot. They were equally impressed, and Ericka’s call to them didn’t hurt your cause. We can get you jobs in New York.”
I grip his arm, damn near falling off the bar stool. “Really? You’re not kidding?”
“I’m not kidding, although I have a favor to ask. Ericka wants to shoot another couple of videos, so we’re looking at another week of work out here. Think you can suffer through it before I pack you up and send you home?”
“Pretty sure I can.” My smile falters, which Leo catches.
“Uh-oh, what now?”
“I left him. What if he has moved on?”
Leo grabs another glass of champagne, clinking his glass against mine. “Show him why you’re the better choice. Know exactly what you want and make sure he knows it, too. Leave maybe at the door this time around.”
“What if it doesn’t work?”
“Won’t know unless you try. But do you really want to go through life wondering if he might have been the one , and you were too chickenshit to find out?”
“You’re the world’s worst therapist, you know that?”
“Hey, we could have a dance-off if you’d prefer. Either way, I’m going to win—because I’m right.”
“Cocky bastard. ”
“True.” He picks up the comic again. “Can I hold on to this? Just for a little while. I want to show it to someone.”
“Promise you’ll give it back?”
“What are you worried about? You’ll have the real thing soon.” He gestures to the crowded restaurant. “Now, how about we show those dancers how it’s really done?”
I finish my champagne and place the glass on the bar with a flourish. “Let’s do this.”