Page 4 of The Tenor's Shadow

“Were they?” Lena raised an eyebrow. “Because to me, it seemed like you stopped a dress rehearsal and tried to get a costume designer fired because you thought she made you look fat.”

“That’s not—”

“Doesn’t matter. The people around you have feelings.”

“They’re all happy now!” Anthony gestured to the packed bar. It was filled with laughing, tipsy singers and musicians. “They’re having a great time!”

“Except Michelle, I’d imagine.”

“She’s bad at her job. She doesn’t get to be happy.” Anthony was speaking louder now. He was tired of being provoked. “I don’t understand why you’re being so awful.”

“I’m being awful?” Lena drained her glass and put it on the counter. “Darling, I’ve been your friend for a long time. Even the most talented of assholes eventually get fired. You won’t always be able to get out of it by batting your eyelashes and buying everyone drinks.”

“I…” Anthony was stunned. The whole point of having friends was for them to be nice to you. Tough love was for other people.

“Now, I need to get my beauty sleep.” Lena kissed him again on both cheeks and drifted away through the chattering sea of tipsy musicians. As she reached the door to the bar, she turned and called out a last goodbye.

“Have fun with the chorus twink!”

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