Page 107 of A Lucky Shot

After a beat, he asked, “Are you in love with him?”

Correction. This was the last question she had been expecting.

Once, she might have said yes, or at least maybe. But if Nick texted her right now, she’d have no problem leaving him on read. She didn’t think she was over him fully, but it seemed less dangerous than it had months ago, and a feeling like relief unfurled in her chest. She shook her head. “I don’t think I even like him anymore.”

Josh kept his attention on the nearly silent screen, but Cass thought she saw a hint of a dimple appear on his cheek.

“Technically, it’s not Champagne,” she said, pouring the wine into the tumbler as he dealt the cards. “But it’s still festive.”

Josh covered his glass when she moved to pour some for him. “I’ll stick to water. Do you always have champagne on hand?”

“You never know when you might need to celebrate something. Even if it’s just …” she trailed off and pursed her lips. “Even if it’s just a really great day.”

“I’ll drink to that,” he said, raising his empty glass.

“You don’t … do you not drink?”

He shook his head, focussed on stacking the cards, and she frowned at her glass. It was cheap. It would lose the bubbles, but she and Libby could drink it in a couple days. She returned the bottle to the fridge and poured them glasses of sparkling fruit water.

Not Champagne, or even fake champagne, but good. Tart and breezy, it sparkled like starlit snow on her tongue. He took a sip, and she watched his mouth catch the drip that snuck over the edge of his glass.

She tore her eyes away to stare into her glass, watching the bubbles rise and pop. “Can I ask you a question?”

His shoulders tensed a fraction, but he nodded without looking up from the cards.

“Why did you leave law?”

“Oh,” he said, tension releasing. “It wasn’t for me.”

She wondered what he thought she was going to ask. “And you made the right choice?” she asked instead.

“Never once had I thought leaving law was the wrong move for me, but I disappointed a lot of people when I did.” He twisted his closed lips. “And don’t tell me I could always go back.”

“I don’t know you that well,” Cass said, “but I can’t imagine you anywhere other than film. You have too much vision. It’s incredible to watch you.”

“Same.” Josh studied his cards. “I’ve never worked with anyone like you. Melanie wanted us looking like we were cosplaying the fucking Power Rangers out there, and after seeing your designs, she completely changed direction.”

The dim lights would hide the pleased flush creeping up her cheeks, the warm glow flowing under her skin. She discarded, and Josh swiped up her rejected Ace.

Shoot. That’s what she got for not paying attention to the game.

“What’s your dream?”

She blinked. “My dream?”

“Win an Oscar? Get out of film and become an accountant? What do you want?”

“Everyone wants to win an Oscar,” she snickered, “but this is my dream. Right now, working with you on SD?—”

“You’re saying working with me is a dream come true?” he asked, grinning.

“Honestly? Yes.”

He looked stunned, and she shrugged. “Working with creative people to make beautiful films,” she said simply. “I’d never heard of SD before we’d met. There’s a version of this story that is hard sci-fi or dystopian, and sure, I can see the blockbuster superhero version, but after reading your script, it just felt like you had something to say about their humanity. Same with Oblivion.”

He opened his mouth, then closed it. “I think you’re the first person to say that,” he said quietly.

“Oh, please. I bet Stephen did.”

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