Page 37 of Best Served Hot
Her serious relationship ended this year. Ethan had been her rebound. And then he’d thrown her out like a rotten fish. As fucking pathetic as he was, it was the last straw for her battered self-esteem.
The whole year had been one long slump. And then Nicole had come along and picked her up, dusted her off, and paid her a few compliments while she was at it. It wasn’t rocket science, was it? Nicole had been a saviour of sorts in a dark time. It was no wonder Alex was feeling some type of way. Who wouldn’t?
It didn’t hurt that she was hot, either. That hair, for a start. It was very dark and shiny, and when it was up in a ponytail, it looked very, sort of, holdable? Like you could grip onto it if you were…
Nicole was petite too. Alex had always liked that. And her eyes were a beautiful russet colour, but much more than that, they were kind. That was the best thing about her lovely face—the sweetness in it.
But Alex wasn’t an animal. Just because someone was attractive, it didn’t mean you had to hump their leg. They were a team, Alex and Nicole. And they were going to see this crazy business through. They would have vengeance on that tit, and that would be that. Move on. Move up.
So when she asked Nicole out for a drink, it wasn’t for any nefarious reasons. They needed to debrief on the afternoon’s shenanigans. And also plan further shenanigans. It was practically a work meeting.
‘My God, that was a slog of a day,’ Nicole said after they’d called cut on the last shot of the day. ‘I saw a bar around the corner. Shall we?’
‘It sounds a bit close to set. What if Ethan makes an appearance?’ Alex asked.
‘I hope he does.’ Nicole chuckled. ‘It would stress him out even further to see us socialising, don’t you think?’
‘You have a point,’ Alex said, and off they went.
Twenty-Five
In the dark, oaky bar, Nicole was waiting on service. This was one of those moments when being on the short side was a pain. She tended to get overlooked at bars. Today was no different.
Two men who’d arrived after she had got served ahead of her. Normally, she’d take that. But today, something was different.
Nicole found herself leaning over the bar, calling to the barman on the other end, ‘Oy! I’ve been here forever. Can I get some service?’
The shocked barman came over and served her quickly. Nicole was amazed. All this time, she could have just been demanding things?
She grabbed the drinks and took them to the quietest corner she and Alex could find in the rowdy bar, filled with the show’s crew, here to unwind from a long day of making low-grade entertainment.
Alex was looking at her phone, frowning slightly. Nicole’s vision somehow seemed to narrow on Alex’s naturally pouty lips. My God, they were luscious. For the love of Christ, what the hell was wrong with her?
‘Did he text you?’ she asked Alex, trying to shake it off.
Alex looked up, and her frown lifted. ‘Oh, no. I was just annoyed because I’ve been trying to get another job after this, and I’m having no luck. Just got another rejection email.’
‘Assistant producer?’ Nicole asked.
‘Yep. I need a regular job on a regular show. I can’t go back to bits and bobs,’ Alex complained.
‘I’m surprised you want to go back to producing. You’re meant to be a director,’ Nicole told her. It was undeniable. She looked perfectly at home on the set.
Alex was aghast. ‘What? No, no, no. I can’t do that.’
‘But you’re a good AD.’
‘Yes, well, ADing is one thing. It’s organising and shushing people. Directing is a different bag. It’s creative,’ Alex said firmly.
Nicole gave her a look. ‘You don’t fool me. Every time a creative question comes up, I’ve asked for your opinion. And every time, you had a solution ready to go. Good answers. I could tell your mind was on the creative the entire time.’
Alex paused, and it almost seemed like she was going to smile, but then the warmth vanished, replaced by irritation. ‘It’s actors, though. You direct the actors. That’s the primary job of any director. I can’t do that part.’
‘Why not?’ Nicole asked.
‘Because… I just can’t.’
Nicole wasn’t sure whether to wonder her question aloud, but curiosity won out. ‘Did you have a bad experience with actors?’
