Page 39 of Love Off Script

Caz said she would message me after her meeting with Matrix, but I had no clue when that would be. For some reason, I assumed it was this morning. But since it was nearly noon and I hadn’t heard from her, my stomach didn’t care if I was trying to stay under Yoni’s radar. It wouldn’t shut up long enough for me to finish the meal plan I was working on.

I never brought my lunch because owning a business that provided pre-packaged meals was a perk. However, if Yoni kept making things uncomfortable, I would have no choice but to reassess that decision.

After saving the work on my current project, I stood up to stretch, feeling the stiffness in my muscles. I had been in this cramped space for hours now, and I needed to get some fresh air. But as soon as I opened the door, I heard the bells chime, alerting me that someone was there.

I thought about hanging back while Yoni dealt with the customer, but then I realized that was probably the best time for me to make my great escape. If she was busy with someone, surely she wouldn’t make a scene in front of them. So I crept up to the front, but of course, my luck wouldn’t allow me to get out of here unscathed—the person talking to Yoni was Caz.

I almost turned around, but Yoni spotted me. “Oh, would you look at that? It’s your friend,” Yoni seethed.

“Hey, Caz. What are you doing here?” I ignored Yoni’s energy and tried to keep things as calm as possible. Caz always seemed to pick up on things, and I didn’t want her to feel as uncomfortable as I did.

“Did I dream this morning?” She appeared confused, but she picked the wrong words.

Yoni grunted and put her hands on her hips as if she were about to scream, “I knew it!” But I preemptively cut in.

“What are you talking about?” I understood where Yoni’s accusation came in because what Caz said sounded suggestive.

“The conversation we had. Didn’t we agree to meet this afternoon?”

“You mean on the phone?” I clarified, but Yoni still seemed pissed.

“Yes?” Caz’s uncertainty didn’t help the situation, but I couldn’t blame her for not understanding.

“Right. And you had said you would message me first?”

“Shit. I’m sorry.” She sighed heavily, and I hated making her think she needed to apologize, but it was the only way to keep Yoni from attacking.

“No worries. I was making sure I didn’t miss something. But I was getting ready to take lunch. Do you want to come?”

“I didn’t think you liked eating out?” Yoni questioned, and I could tell by the expression on Caz’s face that she was about to say something inappropriate, so I cut in.

“We are working on something for Caz’s show, and it requires us to be somewhere else. I will see you when I return.” I stared at Yoni until she understood that this conversation was over. “Let’s go.” I grabbed Caz by the arm and tugged her outside.

“What was that about?” She looked over her shoulder through the glass, but I didn’t let her stop and stare.

“Yoni thinks you and I are together, and that’s why she and I aren’t.”

Caz’s body stiffened at the comment, and I wanted to make sure she didn’t think I put that idea in Yoni’s head.

“Don’t worry. I set her straight. But Yoni is the type of person who doesn’t think anyone can resist her, so when you told her no, she assumed it was because of me. Then she told me she thought if you were out of the picture, she and I could give it another go.” I chuckled, but Caz didn’t join in, which wasn’t like her. “I know that you and I are only friends. Please don’t be upset.”

She slowly removed her arm from my grasp. “Of course, I’m not upset. I’m sorry she put that on you. But once you start dating Ember, she’ll see it’s a me thing.” Her voice was strained, and I couldn't help but question if she believed me.

Instead of continuing this unsettling interaction, I walked silently to the parking lot, and she did the same. Once we arrived in front of my car, I stopped.

“So, are we going straight to the coffeehouse, or should we do the video somewhere more private?” The last thing I wanted was for Ember to see me being recorded.

“The coffeehouse is perfect.” Her words were rushed, and I could still feel the tension between us.

“Okay. Do you want to ride with me?” I jerked my thumb toward my vehicle, but she shook her head.

“No. I have a lot to do afterward, so I’ll drive, too. Thanks.” She waved and was on the move before I could reply.

As I got into the driver’s seat, my stomach was roiling. I couldn’t tell if it was nerves from anticipation of what was to come or dread about Caz’s behavior. To be honest, it was probably both. I wasn’t looking picture-perfect.

My outfit wasn’t as sharp as Caz’s. She knew how to choose clothes that suited her body and enhanced her natural beauty. That shirt made her eyes even more piercing, and I was sure the camera loved her. The one good thing about it was that no one would even notice me standing next to her, so I shouldn’t worry as much about my appearance.

As I drove, that thought brought me less comfort because that probably also meant I wouldn’t capture Ember’s attention, either. Oh well. There was no way I was backing out. Caz was counting on me, and I wanted to make things right. Her demeanor had changed, and the last thing I wanted to do was ruin our friendship. She was the first friend I had made on my own as an adult, and I didn’t want to lose her.

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