Page 50 of Ride

“My opinion is that you should find someone more experienced with a big name and do all dresses, show off your figure and let them see the sexy you.” Callie popped her lips.

“I don’t know. I want them to see me as a lead actress with talent, not as a Hollywood puppet.” Marlowe threw her hands up in the air.

“Wearing these cheap outfits won’t work,” Callie said with venom, pointing at the stack of clothes.

“Excuse me!” I snapped.

Marlowe stepped in between us. I tried to keep my cool and not stoop to Callie’s level—she seemed like the type that would call the police and blogs to play victim. “Hold up. Callie, do you two know each other?”

“She’s dating Laikin, my sloppy seconds.” Callie smirked.

I had no intention of fighting, but she was pushing me. “Sloopy seconds yet you stay under his comments trying to get back with him, even though he blocked you from calling because you’re acting like a stalker.”

Marlowe gasped and held a hand to her chest.

“Bitch, you’re lying!” Callie tried to reach around Marlowe with a balled fist to hit me.

Before it could connect, Marlowe shoved her back. “Are you seriously fighting over a man?” Marlowe spat.

Callie stood with her brows creased together. “You know Laikin and I have history.”

“Laikin Trenton...Laikin.” Marlowe’s eyes rose wide in recognition.

At that moment, I was calm, but my pulse pounded with uncertainty. “Look, Marlowe, if my personal life is going to be a problem, I can recommend you to someone else.”

“Please, if she has the same taste as you, we’ll pass.” In a condescending tone, Callie sighed.

Marlowe groaned and held a hand to her face.

“Girl, the delusion is real,” I chuckled.

“No one is delusional besides you. Making a man raise someone else’s child,” Callie said, dragging my son into her lies.

“Okay, Callie, you’re going too far now. Let me finish up here and call you later,” Marlowe directed.

“You’re taking her side?!” Callie barked.

“Marlowe—”

She held a hand up to stop me. “Callie, everybody knows Laikin has no interest in you. For you to even still go on about him when you both were just hookups for each other…” Marlowe spilled all her tea.

Callie’s mouth opened and closed. She swallowed hard and stomped out of my office, slamming the door. Marlowe scrunched her brows and tilted her head to the side. “I apologize for my friend.”

Taking another outfit from the rack, I passed it to her to put on. “No worries.” The tension between began to fade.

“So, you’re dating Laikin Trenton?”

Marlowe’s steely gaze bore into my face.

“Something like that.” I reached down to make notes on my iPad.

Marlowe pushed hair off her face. “The way you’re blushing lets me know it’s serious.”

Picking up my phone, I prepared to take photos of Marlowe to keep for consistency and to know what outfit worked for each interview. “He’s from my past.”

The door opened and Marlowe came out with the short sleeve dress. “I apologize again for Callie’s behavior. I really want to work with you, Amena. Your dating life has nothing to do with business.” Marlowe raised her hands up in the air, posing for the camera.

“Thanks. How does the dress feel? You comfortable?” I tugged on the end of the dress, reaching for a belt to go around her waist.

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