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“I told you she was feisty,” Vadim says.
“I didn’t doubt it. She’d have to be, to put up with you.”
Adrian Forester doesn’t know it, but he just scored some points.
***
When Sophie barges into my office, it’s to tell me that I have two things to make up for. The first: hiding my relationship with Vadim from her. The second: failing to warn her that King Productions has a new employee—specifically, that pain in the ass, Felix Alonso.
“Nobody tells me anything around here anymore!”
Once I’ve subtly sidestepped the first issue with the excuse “I was sworn to secrecy,” Sophie moves straight on to the next one.
“Apparently, the girls on the set of French Kiss can’t stop talking about this Felix dude! Where did he come from?”
“L.A. He’s an acquaintance of Vadim’s, a designer,” I say, avoiding going into too much detail. “And he also happens to be dating my sister.”
“Oh…” She gives me an embarrassed look.
“Spit it out, Sophie. What did he do?”
“Um, I don’t want to spread gossip, especially if he’s dating Lily,” she stammers.
“It’ll stay between us. I know him—believe me, I’m expecting the worst.”
“Let’s just say that, apparently, he’s very… flirtatious… and handsy. With the actresses. And the makeup artists. And the stage managers, too,” she admits.
“He hits on everything that moves, is that it?”
“Yeah, sort of.”
“But he never forces himself on anyone?”
“No, nothing like that!”
I’m going to kill him anyway.
“Alma, I didn’t know you knew him personally. Other than that, he’s doing a good job, I think. You’re not going to tell Lily about this, are you?”
“No. But I am going to end him.”
***
Night has fallen. As Vadim drives us around the Arc de Triomphe, I find consolation in my Skittles.
“Can I have one, or are you planning to finish them all off?”
“No.”
“No?”
“Your buddy is making a fool of my sister, so… no.”
“And that’s my fault, because…?” Vadim chuckles softly, his eyes fixed on the road.
“Do you find this funny, Arcadi?”
“Alma, give me a goddamn Skittle.”
