Page 27 of Never To Be Mine

“An interview. Tomorrow.”

“Dad, you can’t just spring this on us.”

“It’ll be great. Just be yourselves. Talk about the collaboration. Show everyone that there’s no bad blood.” He was already backing toward the door. “Toodles!”

And then he was gone.

I looked at Hollis. He looked at me.

I dropped my head into my hands. “This is a nightmare.”

“Could be worse.”

“How?” I lifted my head to glare at him. “How could this possibly be worse?”

“We could be doing it live.” He had the audacity to grin. “At least this way they can edit out anything too terrible. Like some of those dirty looks you like to throw my way. Or if you scream at me again.”

I wanted to scream at him right now. “This isn’t funny.”

“It’s a little funny.” He walked around my desk. “So, should we coordinate outfits? How do you feel about blue? It’ll make your eyes pop.”

“It’s not an engagement photo, Hollis. No matching. Just wear whatever.”

“Whatever?” He gestured to himself. “So this is fine?”

“It’s fine.”

“Well, you’re fine too.” He was definitely teasing me now.

“I didn’t ask for your opinion,” I told him.

He walked to my door and laughed. “Too bad. Because you’re stuck with me now. See you tomorrow, partner.”

I sat there for a full thirty seconds, just staring at the open door. I hit the button to connect with Kari. “Get in here. Now.”

She appeared in my doorway less than ten seconds later. “Don’t worry. I saw him too. Who looks that good in a T-shirt? I mean what the hell?”

“Stop,” I said, shaking my head. “I didn’t call you in here to talk about how hot he is.”

“So you agree? Because my god, he’s got the whole office ovulating.”

“I have to record an interview with him tomorrow!”

Her eyes went wide. “What? Really?”

“Yes. What am I going to wear? I’m going to be on camera with him. People are going to look at me and then him and then laugh at me.”

Kari nodded. “Juno, this is a code red. You’re about to go on camera with possibly the most attractive man in Los Angeles. You can’t look boring next to him.”

“I know!”

She grabbed my hand and pulled me to my feet. “Okay. We’re taking an actual lunch and going to Nordstrom’s. We’ve got forty minutes to find an outfit that makes you look hot.”

“Forty minutes? That’s not enough time. I need a fucking fairy godmother. Got a magic wand in your purse?”

“It’s plenty of time if we don’t waste it arguing.” She was already steering me toward the door. “Come on. Let’s get you ready for your closeup.”

I barely had time to grab my purse before she was dragging me down the hallway. Several coworkers looked up as we rushed past, but I didn’t care. This was an emergency.