<h4>Chapter 141: Dreamy Eyed</h4>


    Josh


    I close the studio door behind me and exhale, tugging a hand through my hair.


    God, Hailey was brilliant back there. Fierce. Unapologetic. Watching her go toe-to-toe with Marcus was like watching a storm roll in. Impossible to ignore and absolutely maic.


    I drop into the worn chair in the corner of the break room, prop my phone on the table, and tap to open the video call. Reba’s face appears within seconds.


    "You look like you’ve got a bee in your bo," she chirps instead of saying hello, inching closer to her webcam like a detective in a noir film. "Did something bonkers happen?"


    "Riley happened," I grumble, giving my jaw a frustrated rub like it’s a magicmp about to grant me patience.


    Reba’s eyebrows knit together in a tapestry of confusion. "Riley?"


    "My ex-girlfriend Riley, Becky. You know, the one who’s all ’I can’t have a boyfriend because my fans need to believe they have a shot.’ That Riley."


    "Oh, right. What about her?" Reba perks up, eyes gleaming with curiosity.


    "She showed up on set this morning. Apparently, Marcus hired her to be a model."


    Reba’s eyes widen. "Are you kidding me?"


    "Wish I was," I say.


    "Well, she did dream of bing a supermodel. Is she any good?" Reba asks.


    "She’s all over the ce. Posing like she’s selling teeth-whitening kits instead of high fashion. Hailey’s trying to salvage the shoot, but it’s a mess." I groan.


    Reba scoffs. "Hrious. Why did Marcus Winters hire her?"


    "I think to mess with me," I reply.


    Reba raises an eyebrow, leaning in closer to the webcam. "Mess with you? Why would Marcus care enough to do that?"


    I shrug, slouching back in the chair. "Honestly? I think it’s less about me and more about Hailey. He’s got the hots for her. Maybe he thought bringing Riley in would...I don’t know, ruin our rtionship or something?"


    Reba’s lips curl into a smirk. "Oh, he wanted drama. And from what you’re telling me, he got it."


    "Hailey handled it, though," I say, and I can’t stop the pride from creeping into my voice. "She shut him down. Called him out on it."


    Reba’s smirk turns into a full-blown grin. "So things are heating up between you, huh?"


    "Yeah," I mutter, letting the thought linger. "She’s incredible."


    Reba tilts her head, giving me a knowing look. "Uh-oh. Someone’s smitten."


    I shoot her a warning re. "Don’t start."


    "What? I’m just observing. You’ve got that dopey, ’I can’t stop thinking about her’ look. It’s adorable, really."


    I groan. "Becky, I’ve got enough going on without you turning this into some rom subplot."


    Reba leans back in her chair, holding up her hands in mock surrender. "Fine, fine. But, seriously, Josh. What’s the deal with Riley? Does she think she’s going to win you back or something?"


    "God, I hope not," I say, grimacing. "She’s been acting like we’re old friends catching up, but it’s so fake. The way sheughs at everything, the way she keeps touching my arm, it’s all for show. She just wants clout."


    "Hmm...damn, you are having so much fun over there while I am bored to tears. Maybe I shoulde over there too," she says, brightening up.


    Iugh under my breath, the first real one I’ve had all day. "Trust me, you don’t want to step into this circus. Unless you’ve got a whip and a lion-taming outfit."


    Reba grins. "Tempting. I do have that sparkly gold jumpsuit from Halloween..."


    "You mean the one that gave you a rash for a week?"


    "Details," she says with a wave. "But seriously, you okay? You sound stressed."


    I rub my eyes. "I’m exhausted. Between Hailey trying to keep the shoot from falling apart and Riley treating it like an influencer content day, I’m ready to crawl under the lighting rig and disappear."


    Reba’s smile softens. "Hey. You’re doing good. You always do good."


    "Thanks."


    I turn around as I hear footsteps. Hailey walks in, furrowing her brows. "Who are you talking to?" she asks.


    I gesture toward the phone with a sheepish smile. "Reba," I say. "She called to check in. Apparently, my misery’s her favorite form of entertainment."


    Hailey walks over, arms crossed loosely over her chest. "Hi Reba."


    Reba lights up when she sees Hailey. "The Hailey! The legend, the storm in heels."


    Hailey raises an eyebrow, amused. "I don’t think I’ve ever been called a storm in heels before, but... thanks?"


    "She means that as the highestpliment," I cut in, rubbing the back of my neck. "Becky’s got a ir for drama."


    Reba winks. "I just appreciate a woman who doesn’t take crap from anyone. You should’ve seen how proud this one looked while talking about you." She nods toward me. "All dreamy-eyed and lovesick."


    Hailey smirks, shooting me a sideways nce. "Dreamy-eyed, huh?"


    I sigh. "I’m gonna regret this call for the rest of my life."


    "No, no," Reba says, waving a hand. "You’re going to thank meter when I get to give the ’I knew it before they did’ speech at your wedding."


    Haileyughs, a sound that instantly lightens the air in the room. "Don’t encourage her."


    "Oh, I’m way past encouragement," Reba replies. "I’m mentally writing my maid-of-honor speech. Spoiler alert—it’s hrious."


    I cover my face with my hands. "Okay, I’m hanging up now."


    Reba grins wide. "Love you, too, Josh. And Hailey? You rock. Keep calling out douchebags in skinny jeans."


    Hailey chuckles. "Will do."


    I tap to end the call, shaking my head as the screen goes ck. "She’s ridiculous."


    "She’s awesome," Hailey says, settling into the chair beside me. "Also... dreamy-eyed?"


    I nce at her, her eyes yful but questioning.


    I shrug, unable to fight the smile tugging at my mouth. "What can I say? You’re kind of hard not to fall for."


    The teasing drops from her face, reced by something softer. Something real.


    She nudges her knee against mine. "Good. Because I think I already fell."


    My heart skips. Just a beat. Maybe two.


    The room suddenly feels smaller, quieter like the world paused just long enough for her words to echo a little louder.


    I blink, trying to make sure I didn’t imagine it. "You... you did?"


    Hailey gives a tiny shrug, the corner of her mouth lifting. "Yeah. I think it happened somewhere between your terrible ylist and the way you always notice when I need a break."


    I huff augh, warmth spreading through my chest like sunlight after a long winter. "My ylist is not terrible."


    "It’s an emotional rollercoaster," she counters, smirking. "I went from The Cure to Taylor Swift to a sea shanty in ten minutes."


    "That shanty ps, and you know it."


    She giggles, and I could bottle that sound and live off it. Then her expression shifts again—open, unguarded. "But seriously... this thing with us. It’s not just fun for me. It feels... right."


    I nod, the words sticking in my throat because same. God, same.


    I reach over and take her hand, her fingers cool and steady against mine. "Then let’s not let anyone...Riley, Marcus, whoever mess it up."


    Her grip tightens.


    "Deal," she says softly.