Of Course, It's You

Chapter 14

CARMEN

Of course, it would be Hannah.

That statement seemed to be the only one that shot through her mind lately.

Of course, it was Hannah that she met at the wedding. Of course, it was Hannah that worked at this location. Of course, it was Hannah that was one of the best scouts in the building, finding the talent that had caught Carmen's attention when she was in New York. Of course, it was Hannah that she should be thanking for broadening the musical talent she has been finding, instead of berating and accusing her of being the office whore.

Carmen was the only one in the office now. She peered down the hall to the cubicles, only a few computer screens were lit up. All the meetings and conference calls she had with the New York office had run late or didn't go as she planned. They always left her feeling frustrated.

On a rare occasion she would hear or see Hannah. Her blonde curls swayed as she walked up and down the hall to the agents' offices. After watching her fall out of the copy room, with the receptionist of all people, she knew she had to do something.

This woman was aggravating. She couldn't believe she found herself in this position. Being played. Carmen never got played, if anything, she was the player.

When her hookups got too attached, she'd leave them. But, she never ended up messing around with someone in her company. It was one of her top rules to follow. She'd never run into them again because she made it a point to stick to different crowds. It made things easier.

Carmen pinched the bridge of her nose. She pulled out her phone and sent her best friend Dani a text.

Carmen: Hey, can you call me when you're not busy? Nothing important. Just want to chat.

Her phone rang almost immediately. Dani's name flashed on the screen.

"I said to call me when you're not busy, it wasn't an emergency, no need to be so quick about it."

"I know. But I wasn't busy and had my phone in my hand." Dani laughed, "and hello to you too, cranky pants."

Carmen huffed.

"That bad, huh?"

"How can you tell?" Carmen asked.

"Carm, we've been friends for how long? I understand all your nonverbal cues by this point."

Carmen laughed, "I'm that easy to read?"

"Eh, I've just learned over the years. So, what's up?"

Dani was right. They had known each other since college and even Carmen knew most of Dani's nonverbal cues as well.

There was an echoing creak on the other side of the phone.

"Where are you?"

"Oh- ha. I'm in, well... I'm in a stairwell." Dani told her as if it wasn't anything important.

"A what? Why?"

"I just got back from dinner with... uh," Dani paused. "Steve. No, Sam? Sebastian? Eh, that's not the point."

"So, it's not a fun night then? You're hiding out in a stairwell talking on the phone with me."

"Hm, we'll see if ... Spencer, is fun."

Carmen huffed a small laugh.

"You should try it."

"Try what? Coming up with S names for a guy because I can't remember his actual one?"