Impractical (1)

13

After two weeks, the air was still uncomfortable between Q and Sal, but they continued filming the show. Their laughter was still genuine, but the room fell silent when Olivia entered, making her feel like an outcast. Behind the scenes, she worked as a production manager – She was always at the set, and she noticed their stiff interactions with one another.

She watched from behind the scenes as Q stood in the middle of a crowded area with a piece in his ear and a microphone connected beneath his shirt. Taking notice to the girl he called to, Olivia turned up the volume to her earpiece to hear the conversation, "Poodle, is that you?" Quinn called to catch her eyes, a comfortable smile on his lips as she turned to face him, "Not so fluffy anymore," He chuckled, motioning to her straight black hair, "Do people still call you Curls?"

"Of course," She hummed as a smile pulled at her lips, sighing, "Brian Quinn," She stepped toward him, "I knew I recognized that voice."

"They call me Q now," He told her happily, listening to the three boys blabbering into his ear, but ignoring their orders.  Olivia noticed how he stood taller, his eyes confidently locked on the familiar woman standing before him.

"They?"

"The three men blabbering in my ear," He told her with a laugh, pulling his ear piece to show her, "We are filming a hidden camera television show."

"Wow," She said, following his hand as he pointed to each of the hidden cameras, "I assume you've been well, being that you have your own television show."

"Yeah, I've been great," He smiled happily, his heart pounding in his chest from nervousness, "You look great!" He cooed, his eyes shamelessly traveling down her curvy figure for a moment.

"Thank you," She brushed her hands down the front of her dress and gently shifted on her feet, asking, "Are you, um, busy Friday night?"

"I don't believe so, why?" He asked with a smirk on his lips, his eyes brightening for a moment as she bit down on her bottom lip.

"We should get together for drinks," She smirked, stepping forward to narrow the space between them. She gently placed her hand on his chest and felt his microphone, directing her words to Murr, Joe, and Sal as she spoke close to him, "The three vultures behind the scenes can join if they'd like."

"They wouldn't miss it," Quinn said as she inched back, a grin on her lips as she met his eyes.

"Well," He hummed with a gentle laugh, asking, "Are you going to get my number or should I just walk away in shame?"

"Oh, right," He hummed, pulling his phone from his pocket and passing it to her, "I'll call you for the details."

She programmed her number into his phone and stepped forward, standing almost against him as she slid the phone back into the pocket of his jeans, "I'll be waiting." She said quietly, stepping back and turning to walk away, calling, "See you Friday."

From behind the scenes, Joe noticed Q's eyes fall to rest low on her figure as she walked away. He glanced at Sal, recognizing the aggravation on his brow as he watched the screen. Taking the microphone from Murr's hands, he spoke softly, warning his friend, "Watch your eyes, Q."

He turned to face the ground, the shy smirk vanishing from his lips as his heart sunk in his chest, "Am I done?" Q asked hesitantly, not wanting to look at the cameras. He could suddenly feel a thousand pairs of eyes on him, and felt the guilt pulling at his heart.

"You're done."

Brian walked back toward the backstage area and let a sigh escape his lips, "That was interesting." He hummed uncomfortably to break the silence. His cheeks flushed red as he quickly scanned the furrowed brows of his friends, but he turned to face the ground, "I guess we all have plans Friday night."