Page 58 of We Used To Be Magic

‘Drinks, to celebrate the shoot. Some of the crew were talking about it earlier – I think it was when you were having your hair redone.’

‘Do we have to go?’

‘Yeah,’ Marika says simply, and my heart sinks. Of course we do. It’d look awful if we didn’t – ungrateful, bratty. People talk, and I’m not established enough to risk it. I just – I keep waiting for this whole thing to end and it won’t. It won’t fuckingend.

‘It’s casual,’ she adds, watching me. ‘You could invite Ezra, if you wanted. I had plans with Nicole tonight so I’m asking her along.’

I nod wordlessly, still processing. Marika looks like she’s going to say something else, but—

‘Break over!’ someone yells. ‘Reset, let’s get going.’

I straighten, lift my chin, reposition my sunglasses.Reset, I think.Keep going.

EZRA

‘THAT’S AVERY COOLPLACE,BABE.ARE YOUSURE YOU’LL GETIN?’

Worryingly enough, Mac doesn’t sound like he’s joking.

‘I – are you serious? I thought it was just some random bar.’

‘Nuh-uh. Like – if you’re a normie and you want to hook up with someone famous, it’stheplace. This month, at least.’

‘Is it now?’ I murmur, raising an eyebrow as I wedge a cigarette between my lips. Mac leans over to take one – we’re sitting together on the crates behind the restaurant, wasting our lunch break.

‘Allegedly.’ He grins. ‘The drinks are too expensive but the vibe’s okay. Consider something other than saggy knitwear or oversized flannels, please.’

‘There’s a dress code?’ I ask, leaning over to light his cigarette before mine – manners maketh the man and all that.

‘Not officially, but it’s advisable to look good. You’re meeting Audrey there, right?’

‘Right.’

‘Mm. Maybe borrow something of mine. It’ll be nice for her to see you make an effort. Then after that, maybe a move?’

‘She’s the stylish one,’ I say mildly, choosing to ignore that last comment. ‘I’m adorably homespun.’

‘Adorably single, too. And remember, she’s leaving any day now – if you miss your window then she’ll have no reason to even remember you, let alone keep in touch.’

‘What wouldyoudo, then?’ I retort, irritated by the (deeply unwelcome) reminder that time is of the essence.

‘Well, I would have never let it get to this point.’

‘Great. That’s great advice. Thank you so much.’

‘It’s not too late, though! Tonight is your golden opportunity. Being in a bar means lower stakes – if she shoots you down, you can duck out with minimal humiliation.’

‘Glad we’re covering the worst-case scenario.’

‘It’s cute that you think that that’s the worst-case scenario.’

‘You’re an awful hype man.’

‘But anincrediblewingman. I’m even willing to lend you clothes, babe. That’s a big deal for me.’

‘Good luck finding anything that fits.’

‘We’ll figure it out. I’ve got a few things in my locker than might not look heinous with those trousers.’

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