Page 22 of There Are No Words

“Oh, why didn’t you say that? Definitely stop by my office after the meeting, and we’ll go over logistics.”

“Thank you, Allie.”

I nodded and was about to reply when out of the corner of my eye I saw Maria sitting at her desk in her office. “Sure thing,” I finally told Millie. “If you’ll excuse me,” I added, putting a finger up and taking a sharp turn to Maria’s office.

I knocked on the glass door and saw her lips were moving, so I assumed she was on the phone. When she didn’t look up, I let myself in. I stood in front of the two chairs across from her and crossed one ankle over the other.

Maria finally looked up and smiled, pointing to her ear and the phone on her desk. I never did understand why she used earpieces when she could just put the phone to her head like everyone else or put the call on speakerphone. It seemed like a hassle to me, but Maria had her own way of doing things.

Then she rolled her eyes and mimed a mouth moving. I placed a hand over my mouth and stifled a laugh. Who was she talking to?

“Of course,” Maria said. “It will be exactly what you’re expecting and more.”

I didn’t know what the person was saying, but she threw her head back and moved it from one side to the other, visibly trying to crack her neck.

Wow. Now she really had my interest piqued. Who was the pain in the butt on the other end?

“Let me—” Maria tried, but they must have cut her off. She nodded, even though they couldn’t see her and then attempted again, “Emilia, let me stop you right there. I’m overseeing this cover shoot, and I can guarantee you it’ll be great. Please have faith in the process. I’ve been doing this long enough to—”

She was cut off again and looked up at me, miming pulling a noose around her neck. “Stop,” I whispered, chuckling.

“Yes, and that means a lot to me,” Maria said, clearly wrapping up the call. Then she ended with, “Yes, you, too.”

Hanging up, she tossed the earpiece on the desk and groaned, pushing her hair to one side as she rolled back in her chair. “Sorry about that,” she said to me.

I shook my head and widened my eyes. “You’re sorry? I’m sorry you had to deal with Emilia.” Then I squinted. “Who is Emilia, and why is she annoying?”

“Annoying doesn’t even begin to cover it, but sure, we can go with that.” She got up and pointed to the door. “Let’s walk and talk. We’re already late for the meeting.”

“That’s okay,” I replied confidently. “I know the boss.”

“Cute.”

I followed her out and then walked with her. “So what is her deal?”

“Who, Emilia’s?” She shook her head. “I actually have to talk to you about her cover shoot anyway. She’s the model for the next issue, and it wasn’t easy getting her to sign on the dotted line. She had some stipulations.”

Stipulations?“Maria, we shouldn’t have to deal with these models and their diva ways. Remember what Mom used to say. They should be grateful we’re even letting them grace our cover.”

“True, and I would usually abide by that, but Emilia is an up-and-coming model, and she brings with her a designer that she’s the new face for. They were going to another publication, but I sweetened the deal and stopped that from happening.”

“Go, Maria. You’re a badass, you know that, right?”

Maria chuckled. “Thanks. We should talk, though, because she wants to do an interview live on social.”

“Done.”

“Don’t get too excited because before my call with Emilia, the bartender who’s working the anniversary party called and bailed. He got another event that’s paying more.”

I raised my eyebrows. “Really?” Who would pay more than us? Hundreds of guests, open bar. It felt like a no-brainer.

Maria cringed. “Baby shower for an heiress in Jersey. Sorry, Allie.”

“For what? It’s not your fault. It just seems like babies are a common theme in my life right now. I’m just bummed I have to find someone else. Do you know how good he was and how long I had him booked for? He was like the first vendor contract I signed.”

She laughed. “Yeah, that’s why he called me and not you.”

“Great. Ugh, babies,” I said and rolled my eyes.

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