Chapter 42

The middleof April was an unfortunate time for a heat wave. Humidity was so high that it was more like an August afternoon than a spring morning when Natalia arrived in the office. Forced to pin her hair back when she could not tame the frizz, Natalia stomped into the office feeling unlike herself.

It had nothing to do with having left Sam’s bed just hours before sunrise. Or the fact that she’d been unable to sleep when she finally made it home. It was the weather and her hair and not the ache in her belly. Why people called the unsettling feeling something as whimsical as butterflies, Natalia had no idea.

Sitting at her desk, Natalia found it impossible to concentrate. She’d operated significantly more sleep deprived before, but she couldn’t string two damn thoughts together without drifting to Sam. Without feeling her on her skin and lips. She’d almost been unhinged enough to consider skipping a shower. To keep the scent of her close.

“Natalia,” Lola’s voice forced her attention to her open glass door. “Do you have two minutes to go over my proposal for the United in PRIDE gala? Silent auctions are so overdone. Instead of spending money on retreats and spa packages, I was thinking about funneling our energy into creating stipends for young adults living on their own.”

Nodding, Natalia invited Lola to sit with a look. While she presented her well-researched idea, Natalia’s mind sparked.

“What do you know about starting a scholarship fund?” Natalia asked when Lola was finished and she’d given her feedback.

“I can learn anything,” Lola said, dark wide eyes fixed and eager.

Natalia nearly smiled, but nodded instead. “It would honor a bisexual woman who was passionate about teaching. Maybe we can limit it to kids who want to pursue a degree in education.” Natalia shifted in her chair while Lola took furious notes. “Her name was Sofia Reyes. She passed away very young. Her legacy should live on.” She couldn’t explain any further without the stupid lump in her throat returning.

Lola nodded again and stood. “I’ll get on the phone with legal right now and get the ball rolling.”

She watched Lola stride out of the office, full of purpose and passion. The fissure in her chest stretched further. Jesus. She was losing her grip on her emotions. Maybe she was finally menopausal and needed her hormones adjusted, she thought, to calm herself.

Minutes later, Natalia’s phone was ringing. For a single heartbeat she thought it was Sam calling unannounced, but answered even when it wasn’t.

“Natalia! We did it!” Zoe shrieked. “Sam signed the deal! The Lilith movie is officially a go, thanks to you!”

Natalia tensed. “That’s great news,” she said evenly.

“Great? It’s incredible! Dr. Reyes just emailed over the signed contract. They agreed to all her demands for creative control. I can’t believe you pulled this off!”

“I’m glad it worked out.” Natalia kept her tone neutral, unease twisting her gut.

“What’s wrong? You don’t seem excited.”

Natalia hesitated. She wanted to be happy for Zoe, but doubt gnawed at her. “I just find it hard to believe the studio agreed to give up that much control,” she admitted. “It seems too good to be true.”

“Come on, have some faith! Dr. Reyes drives a hard bargain, and she had the best agent around advising her.” Zoe’s grin was audible through the phone.

“I was not advising her,” she corrected.

“Well, whatever, you know what I mean. She got everything she wanted and now we’re going to produce the first sapphic blockbuster.” She clapped for herself. “And if you’re not her agent, I do need her representation’s contact info — unless she intends to sign the contracts herself.”

Natalia wished she shared her optimism, but she knew how ruthless Hollywood could be. Pushing her worry aside, she picked up the phone and texted Sam.

Natalia: Please forward me the name and phone number of your agent or attorney.

Instead of a text response, Natalia’s phone buzzed in her hand. At the sight of Sam’s name on her phone, Natalia’s heart took an annoying foray into her throat.

“Yes, Professor,” Natalia answered, overselling her irritation at the call.

At the other end of the line, Sam laughed. “Hey, you’re the one texting me because you miss me and don’t want to admit you miss me, so you pull out some work stuff.”

“I can assure you, Professor, I don’t have time to play with you. Please provide the requisite information so I can pass it along.”

Sam’s laugh was brighter than before. “Oh, come on, that’s not what you were saying last night. And if the soreness in my?—”

“Dr. Reyes?—”

“Well, nothing has changed since the last time you asked me,” she replied. “I still handle these things myself.”

“This is not a speaking tour, Sam. You need someone who knows what they’re doing or you’re going to regret it.”

“Well, you know what you’re doing, babe. Can’t you do it?” Sam’s smile was so broad it was distracting. Natalia knew where the creases around her eyes were. Knew the curve of her lips. Ugh, gross.

“Should I list all the conflicts of interests we would have in that arrangement, or can you piece them together yourself?”

“God, you’re so romantic,” Sam said with an exaggerated dreamy voice. “I don’t know if I can handle this love fest?—”

“Samantha,” Natalia snapped, needing her to be serious.

“Okay, okay. Can’t you just recommend me someone? Whoever you would trust for yourself?”

Natalia pondered the question. She didn’t know anyone that had her exacting standards. As she went through the contact list in her head, Adriana walked across the office, a handful of assistant agents trailing behind her.

“I might have an idea,” Natalia decided after a beat.

“Good. Tell me about it over dinner tonight?” Sam sounded like she’d moved out of her office and into a noisy corridor. “I picked up some exceptional stone crab claws this morning.”

Natalia wanted to decline. Two nights in a row at Sam’s place was too much. It was absolutely the wrong message. She had to decline. For herself. For Sam. But she was responding before she knew it. “I have a nice bottle of Albari?o. I’ll bring it.”

She hung up before she could say anything else humiliating and picked up her office phone. Moments later, Adriana and Lola were sitting across from her desk.

Natalia folded her hands on the desk. “I’m bringing you in on a new client together. A high priority case.” She slid a file across to them. “This is Dr. Samantha Reyes. She just signed a major film deal, but the contract negotiations are ongoing. I need you to make sure she gets everything she demanded upfront — primarily full creative control.”

Adriana flipped through the file, surprise flickering across her face. Lola remained impassive.

“Full creative control on a big studio film?” Adriana shook her head. “That’s nearly impossible.”

“Nearly,” Natalia allowed. “Dr. Reyes is... formidable in negotiating for what she wants. But she needs sharp legal counsel monitoring the process.” Her gaze landed on Lola. “That’s where you both come in. I’m bringing in Louise Silver — she’s as tenacious as they come. You’ll work closely with her.”

Lola nodded, ever eager to be entrusted with an assignment. “We’ll make sure Dr. Reyes’ vision is protected.”

Natalia exhaled. Louise’s reputation was sterling; with Lola’s intensity and Adriana’s caution, she was sure they could safeguard Sam’s interests.

“This is a test of sorts,” Natalia continued, steepling her fingers. “Prove you can secure the client’s demands, and further opportunities will follow.” She met each of their gazes in turn. “I trust you won’t disappoint me.”

Adriana sat straighter. Lola’s eyes flashed. They wouldn’t let her down.

“My involvement ends here.” Natalia kept her tone neutral despite the anxiety twisting her gut. “You report only to the client. I don’t want updates, I don’t want questions. You handle this yourselves. Understood?”

They both nodded. Natalia could see the curiosity in their expressions, but they knew better than to pry.

She handed Lola the client contact info. “Get Ms. Silver onboard and get to work. Dr. Reyes is eager to move forward.”

After they left, Natalia sagged back in her chair. She had done what she could to protect Sam’s interests from a distance. Her work here was frustratingly finished.