Page 39 of You Found Me

“The room is clear,” Romi said.

“Heard,” Ward replied.

Della exchanged an exasperated look with Piper. “Am I imagining things, or are they having an entire conversation about me and my life choices using only one-syllable words?”

“Don’t worry about it.” Piper waved her over. “Sound check went smooth. I replaced the bumpy mic. Shouldn’t have any more glitches with it, but if you do, we have another on standby.”

“Oh good.” Della wrapped her arms around Piper and squeezed a little longer than necessary. It felt so good to see a friendly face that she didn’t want to let go. “Sorry I wasn’t here to help.Someonewanted to limit my so-called exposure.”

She flashed a dirty look at Ward, who was giving instructions to a small brute squad clustered around him.

The showrunner, a tiny blonde in black jeans, a black shirt, and a headset, caught sight of Della and her face brightened. “Oh good, you’re here. Three hours, thirty minutes to curtain, you two.”

“Thanks, Fran.” Della glanced at the open door to the dressing room. “Do we get to change without supervision, or is my warden coming with us?”

“I am covering the inside,” Romi said.

“It was a joke,” Della said wryly. “We don’t need a babysitter.”

“She’s not a babysitter,” Piper said with just a touch of defensiveness. “She’s the reason we can relax.”

Romi gestured for Della to go in. “I will not get in the way of your primping.”

“Gee, your consideration is overwhelming.” Was it her imagination or did Romi almost grin at that?

Piper glanced down at her phone. “Go on in. I’ll be right behind you. I just want to answer this post.”

“Okay.” Della hesitated. The last time she’d been in a dressing room there’d been two dozen roses, a crazy letter, and a sudden life change waiting for her.

She knew nothing would be in there now. Romi had declared it clear. She knew from experience that Romi wouldn’t say that if she hadn’t made damn sure it was true. The woman may not like her, but she’d never let her personal feelings get in the way of her job.

Come to think of it, her warden had said something like that. He’d made it sound like he often had to work with people he didn’t like or agree with.

People like her. Celebrities.

She looked at Romi. “You know, your job actually kind of sucks, doesn’t it.”

“No,” Romi said. “It does not. People sometimes do.”

Della glanced at Ward. He caught her looking at him and raised his eyebrows. She looked away. “Sorry if I’ve been one of them.”

Romi gave her a considering look. “Are you standing out here in the hallway for some purpose? You may enter. There is nothing in there that should not be there. I will remain here through the show to ensure there are no surprises.”

“Thanks.” She flashed a small smile at the woman, but she couldn’t seem to make her feet move.

“Della?” Piper put a soft hand on her shoulder.

Della tucked her arm around Piper’s and clung to her. “I swear there’s more security than fans tonight.”

Piper gave her a reassuring squeeze. “I doubt that. But I have to admit it’s getting a little crowded back here.”

They stepped through the doorway and into the dressing room together. Romi followed them in and moved to a corner opposite the door where she could lurk like a guard dog, or a disapproving parent on date night.

Della gave the entire place a casual sweep with her eyes.

Their costume changes were on the rack like always.

The vanities were set up with their makeup kits and hair styling tools.

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