Of Course, It's You

Chapter 8

HANNAH

Of course, it was her.

Carmen Mills.

Hannah's heart felt like it missed a beat, then another. It could have stopped working altogether.

Carmen stood at the front of the room like the universe had personally requested her presence. She was wearing a black pencil skirt, tailored blazer, and a deep maroon blouse that matched the blush crawling up Hannah's neck at a rapid pace.

Carmen was... elegant. Composed. Intimidatingly hot. And yet somehow, she was even more gorgeous than the last time Hannah had seen her–if that was even remotely possible.

And... Carmen was staring. Right at her. There was a flash of recognition followed by a flicker of shock.

Hannah was pretty sure she mirrored the same look. She was caught somewhere between the thoughts of what the hell and God, she's even hotter when she's commanding a room with a PowerPoint.

Quickly, Hannah tucked a strand of hair behind an ear, doing her absolute best to pretend as if she weren't unraveling. Carmen cleared her throat and looked away, her expression smoothing back into professional neutrality. She tugged once at her blazer, rolled her shoulders and settled into a poised, flawless posture. This was assuredly a woman that knew how to command a room, and had done so numerous times before. And. apparently, was also now in control of Hannah's career.

"I know everyone is curious as to why some of my team and I are here." Carmen began. "We've kept much of this under wraps for a reason. We felt it would be more meaningful to present this in person."

Jesus Christ, her voice. Why was corporate lingo suddenly sexy?

Hannah fumbled with her phone and tucked it low beneath the table.

Hannah: Oh my God. She's here. She's at my meeting!

Jason: Who???

Hannah: CARMEN! From the wedding.

Jason: What do you mean?

Hannah: SHE'S RUNNING THE ENTIRE MEETING!

Jason: Well don't go off with her around any dark corners this time.

Jason: Or do, I don't care. I don't control you.

Hannah: I hate you.

Jules nudged Hannah's arm sharply with her elbow. "Are you okay? How hard did you hit your head?" She whispered.

Hannah didn't answer. Was she hallucinating? Maybe she did have a concussion. But, Carmen looked real. Too real. Gorgeous cheekbones, sharp edges, dangerously confident in those high heels.

And worse–Carmen wasn't looking at her anymore.

Hannah wondered if she was now trying to ignore her. Which, somehow, stung more than if she had singled her out, demanding to know why Hannah was here.

Was she freaking out just as much as Hannah? She didn't look like she was. But, it was hard to tell beneath her professional mask. It felt like she was avoiding eye contact.

Carmen continued talking in her smooth, poised and dazzling confidence. Which was at complete odds with the feeling that Hannah's brain felt shaken.

Some man–Terry? Tom? Definitely not a Ken–started speaking next. Hannah couldn't follow. Only some terms registered: merger, transition, job security, but they flew in one ear and directly out the other without any true substance.

"I think that means we're safe," Jules whispered. "At least we're not getting laid off."

"Uh-huh," Hannah replied, doing her best to appear normal.

"Are you sure you're okay? You look like you've seen a ghost."

Okay, so obviously she was terrible at faking it.

"You look really pale." Jules' narrowed eyes did nothing to force her into schooling her features.

"I'll explain later," she murmured, unable to tear her eyes off Carmen.

"Oh-kay?" Jules shot her a look of doubt.

Carmen stepped back to the front, between the two other men standing alongside her.

"Based on the label's historical financial trends," she began, "a decision has been made. There will be some structural changes. Starting with the fact that Mills Records has acquired this office, studio and label."

It hit like a punch.

Mills Records.

They had been bought out. They were merging with a New York label, or rather, that New York label was absorbing them. Carmen was here to assist with this consolidation and absorption.

The name rattled her memory. She should have put it together minutes ago.

Hannah almost choked.

Mills Records.

What was the name they said when they introduced everyone? God dammit, why did she have to go and get that pen? It was just a pen.

Wait. Carmen Mills.

No. It couldn't be her.

It just had to be a coincidence, right? No way she'd hooked up with the actual owner of the company.

Sure, she'd thought Carmen was important. She had been powerful and mysterious at the wedding. But this?

"This is a monumental situation for all of us." Carmen continued.

Yeah, no kidding.

"We project substantial financial growth. We believe in Nashville. We believe in learning from the best, right here in Music City. This is the beginning of a new era."

Hannah could literally feel her stomach dropping and falling to the floor at her feet.

"We want to learn from the best and hope to gain great tools of the trade." Carmen marched on. "But we also want to share our insights and knowledge as well. In doing so, we will start with a brand-new business plan and shape it into something wonderful."

Hannah suddenly remembered she had a kid to pick up. She glanced at her watch and nudged Jules. She couldn't be late in picking up Lyvie from daycare. Not again.

Carmen wrapped up with a final line about interviews for personal and business development, but Hannah didn't hear any of it. She was already halfway out the door.

As she passed the glass windows, she risked one final glance.

Carmen stood at the center of it all like the eye of a corporate storm. Completely unfazed. Fielding questions from upper management like she was bred for it.

Hannah slowed for just a breath. Realization pressed heavily on her chest.

She owns this.

The woman she kissed in the shadows.

The woman she couldn't shake from her memories.

The woman she now worked for.