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We both turned.

A tall, leggy blonde crossed the room, reaching her hand out for a shake. “It’s so nice to meet you. The email didn’t mention that you’d be at the interview,” she said, shooting him a warm smile.

“We’re glad you could join us.” He smiled back.

Okay, smiled was a bit of a stretch. It was more like a slight pull at the corners, but still, it was not the tight, forced thing he gave the other two. Or maybe it was?

Nausea clawed at my throat.

Love that. Totally fine. Exactly what he should be doing. They’re going to be dating…

“Hi,” I called out a little too brightly. “Graciella Barrera. I’m the one your agent has been communicating with.” I stuck my hand out.

Her grip was firm.

“I’m Lauren. It’s really nice to meet you both.” Her gaze flicked back to Monroe, smile a little brighter when directed at him.

A strange, unwelcome heat crept up my neck.

“Let’s get started.” My words were terse, but she didn’t seem to notice, still all smiles as she sat across from us. She swept her blonde hair over her shoulder, long enough for her ends to disappear below the table line.

“I can’t wait to pick your brain about this upcoming season,” she said, attention fully on Monroe. “You did so much in the short time you’ve been with the Stars. I can’t imagine what you’ll be able to do with the team with a full season.”

“Oh, thank you. You’re a sports analyst, right?”

“Yes.” She beamed. “I’d love to have you on my show sometime. I think I could help fans get to know you a little better.”

An ache in my finger had me loosening my grip on the pen.

“Can you act?” I blurted.

Two sets of eyes landed on me, and I ignored the one drilling into the side of my head.

“Excuse me?”

“Well, this whole thing is fake, so I need to make sure you can act,” I continued, tilting my head and forcing a neutral expression.

Her confused frown gave way to another blinding smile. “Oh, well, I don’t think it will be too hard to act like I like Josh here.”

She turned her smile back on him, and the corner of his mouth lifted. I knew the other two hadn’t gotten that.

Gag me.

My eyes twitched under the restraint to keep them from rolling. Of course little Miss Perfect didn’t think it’d be a problem. She probably would have dinner ready for him when he walked in the door, too.

I needed it to stop.

My mouth worked faster than my brain. “I need you to show me how you’d walk a dog.”

Monroe choked out something between a cough and a laugh.

She blinked. “Excuse me?”

“A dog,” I repeated, doubling down. “Show me how you’d walk one.”

“Why would I need to act out walking a dog?” She looked around the conference room as if one would pop out of nowhere.

“That’s a great question…” Monroe said, turning to face me. “Why would she need to do that, Graciella?”