Page 67 of Masked Hearts

“Fair enough.” He grabs onto the railing and every single muscle in his arm flexes. I can’t stop my eyes from nearly bulging out of my head at the sight.

Thankfully, Valerie calls me over before I can embarrass myself. “C’mon, we’re heading backstage to catch up with Nat before she starts her sound check,” she says. I nod hesitantly, following behind her, disregarding Antonio and any thoughts about his large biceps.

“It’s my last show, Stacy. I need a break.” Natalia’s voice rings through the hall as we approach her dressing room.

“And Vogue needs a cover. It’s just one shoot,” a female’s voice fires back. “You know how huge this is, Natalia.”

Valerie extends her arm, stopping me from walking any further, and pulls me against the wall so we can eavesdrop a bit easier.

“It’s in the middle of my time off, which defeats the purpose. There will always be another cover,” Natalia presses back, but her manager seems adamant.

“No one is going to want you if you turn down Vogue. But you do whatever you want since the work I do is for nothing.”

With that, Valerie seems to jump into action, walking straight into the room. I follow hot on her heels, partially because I’m interested to see what might happen, but more so because she’s been dating Ambrose for long enough that I have to worry just what she might do.

The manager is a small middle-aged woman who looks about as scary as Mrs. Clause. She immediately changes her entire demeanour when Valerie and I enter, and Natalia seems almost relieved at our sudden appearance.

“Valerie, lovely to see you again,” the lady says, yet Valerie scowls at her.

“Wish I could say the same, but I’d be lying,” she responds. Both Nat and I stifle a snicker as the lady seems taken aback by Valerie’s sharp words.

“I have to check if the sound team is ready for Amelia. Enjoy your time, ladies, and stay away from those cannolis, Nat.” She shuffles out of the room.

“What’s wrong with the cannolis?” I ask and both Natalia and Valerie, who roll their eyes.

“Nothing. They’re from Trescatelli’s, so they’re perfect. She’s just worried about me getting fat,” Nat replies. Valerie walks over to the table, puts three cannolis on a plate, and walks back to us.

“She’s one to talk, the gym and her are in an estranged relationship. Here, try one. The boys own Trescatelli’s, they’re so good,” she says, handing me one. She offers one to Nat, who just shakes her head, causing Valerie to frown.

“Please don’t let her get to you. It’s your last show and it’s a few days away from your birthday. Just ignore her, please,” Valerie pleads with her friend.

“When’s your birthday?” I ask.

“Eighteenth of August, three days from now. Oh, you have to come to my birthday dinner! Antonio has a plus one, and now he has an excuse to use it.”

“Sounds like fun,” I say, turning on a fake smile, still unsure of it all.

“How are things with the two of you? How are you adjusting to married life?” She chuckles towards the end as she gets up and walks over to the extremely full table of even more snacks than the hospitality suite has.

“Uhh, things are okay. We're adjusting okay…” I trail off awkwardly, trying not to meet either of their eyes.

“What’s up? He’s not being a dick to you, is he? Cause I’ll fuck up his pretty little face—” Natalia threatens, but immediately I shake my head.

“Quite the opposite, actually,” I say, and I can feel the heat creeping onto my face.

“Oh shit, I was not expecting that. I thought he was like a prude.” Natalia eyes Valerie and chuckles.

“I wouldn’t know,” she responds, chuckling.

“I just didn’t want to bring it up because he told me about what happened between you two and Ambrose,” I confess.

“He did?” Natalia spits out her water.

“Is that why you’ve seemed hesitant to speak to us?” Valerie asks softly.

I look down at my hands in shame. I was hoping it wasn’t this obvious, but she’s clearly picked up on it.

“How much did he tell you?” Val asks.

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