Hazed (Palm South University)

So what, Natalia is here. She’s probably helping with something on their pre-production checklist. And so what, she touched his arm. Maybe she’s flirty. Maybe she’s trying to butter him up so she can get a good recommendation letter for when she goes out to Los Angeles, herself.

Do they even do recommendation letters in film? I have no freaking clue.

Regardless, she’s not a threat.

And treating her like one would be a mistake.

Smile firmly in place again, I make the last of the trek across the room. Kip looks up from his script when I’m roughly ten feet from him, and that brilliant smile of his that I love so much spreads like butter across his perfect face.

“Well, aren’t you a sight for sore eyes,” he says, setting his clipboard down on the table behind him. Then, he’s pushing off from where he was leaned against it, and in the next breath, I’m in his arms.

“Hey, you,” I whisper, and I focus on squeezing him tight, on returning his kiss with as much gusto as he gives it.

And on not sending eyeball death lasers at the girl he hired to play me in his show.

“Am I running late again?” he asks, checking his watch.

“No, no, I just wanted to come by and see how it was going.” I smile. “An extra hand, if you need it.”

“Trust me, I’ve been offering all day,” Natalia says, beaming at me.

I bet you have…

“Natalia,” I greet with a smile I hope doesn’t look as fake as it feels. “Nice to see you again.”

“You, too!” She nods at Kip. “Your man here is a workaholic. A bit of a control freak, too.”

He gives her a playful glare. “It’s my first baby, okay? So I’m a little possessive. Sue me.”

“No way! Then I wouldn’t get paid.” She winks at him, and then her beautiful blue eyes find me. “I’ll leave you two be. Kip, let me know if you want me to swing by the library to follow up on the permit.”

Kip makes a face. “You wouldn’t mind?”

“Are you kidding?” she asks, hopping down from where she was sitting on the edge of the table. Then, her stupid hand is reaching out to touch his arm again. “I told you, I’m happy to help.”

He breathes a relieved sigh. “Thank you. It would be one thing off my list today.”

“I’m on it.” She squeezes his arm, and then her smile is aimed at me again. “See you around, Sky.”

“See you.”

I keep my smile in place as she walks away, all the while telling myself it’s not worth it to tell her she is not allowed to call me Sky.

That’s reserved for friends.

And I can already tell she is not one of those.

Listen, I know I sound crazy. But being a girl myself, I know girls. I know the manipulative, sneaky games we play. And I know the way Natalia is looking at Kip and what she’d do if he gave her so much as a yellow light instead of a red one.

“I didn’t realize Natalia was joining you today,” I said when she was gone, turning my smile to Kip.

He shrugs. “She just showed up and started helping. She seems really eager to be on the project, which is refreshing, if I’m honest.” He chuckles then. “Then again, I’m sure she’s just trying to get a foot in the door with a future UCLA grad.”

“And future hot film director in LA,” I add, wrapping my arms around his neck. But then I frown. “You know I can help, too. I’ve offered.”

“I know, baby,” he says, pressing his lips to mine. I want that kiss to last forever, but he breaks it with a smile as he slips his arms around my hips. “But you’re president of the top sorority on campus now. Remember? You’ve got plenty on your plate. Besides, I’ve got this all under control.”

I return his smile. “Okay. But don’t be afraid to call on me, if you need me. Alright?”

“You got it. Now,” he says, shifting so I’m under his arm and we’re walking toward the door. “I think it’s time for the director to take a break.”

“Oh, yeah?” I arch a brow. “Need a quick stress relief, Mr. Jackson?”

He smirks, leaning in to whisper in my ear, “I really, really do. Think you can help?”

My eyes flick to Natalia, and just like I knew I would, I find her staring at me and Kip as he drags me out of the auditorium.

“Trust me, I’m the only girl for the job,” I whisper back, sucking his earlobe between my teeth.

He shivers, biting his lip and murmuring something to one of his writers about taking a fifteen before we push through the door. And I know Natalia is still watching, that she’s wondering just how much competition she’s got.