Chapter 11: The Staff 007.

February 5, 2024, 8:40 AM. Château des Rêves, First Floor, Daria's Room.
Lila, Becky, and Daria sit in Daria's room. Becky still wears her pink T-shirt with the white-printed words "Fucking Monday" and loose black non-denim pants. Daria wears a blue fleece full-zip hoodie over a loose white T-shirt and blue jeans. Lila wears only a white bra and blue jeans.
Daria sits on the bed and finishes her burger—her breakfast. Becky sits on the chair by the desk while Lila hovers around her, carefully applying makeup to hide the slap mark on Becky's face.
"Well, damn, Becky—I didn't think it'd bruise..." Lila sighs. "At least we planted the bug and heard the whole Amy and Kate conversation. Honestly, there wasn't much of value."
"I still can't believe the whole thing was staged..." Daria says softly. Her slight Russian accent colors her words as she looks between Lila and Becky.
"Okay... Becky... looks good, nothing noticeable," Lila says to Becky, then turns to Daria.
"You seriously thought Kate's assistant would start shit like that for real, and I'd just throw hands over it? We're friends, for fuck's sake!" Lila giggles. "We need to figure out what's really going on between Kate and Alex—and how Aria and Brian fit into this. Amy drowns in mansion duties, and Madi stays busy at the hospital. I don't think they'll handle it if things go to hell."
She gives Daria a cheeky grin.
"I'm kinda shocked Becky didn't clue you in on our little schemes yet. But honestly? Maybe that worked out. You played the 'I have no idea what's going on' role in the hallway perfectly. That was gold." She giggles again.
"I still don't get it..." Daria rubs her forehead. "But Becky, like... you're constantly messing with Alex... and Kate doesn't seem to mind." Daria frowns. "But now... with Brian... and all these weird rules... I don't know what to think."
Becky snorts and rolls her eyes. "Alex is easy. Kate likes seeing him squirm. And I like making him squirm." She shifts in her chair. "This Brian thing? That's different. Yeah, I tease him too sometimes, but... this is getting serious."
Lila nods. Her face turns more serious as she leans against the desk. "Exactly. Kate's not just playing games anymore. She's really into Brian now. And Alex..." She trails off and shakes her head. Then she sighs and keeps talking.
"It's all because of Aria. What the fuck is she thinking? I remember when she brought that Brian guy to the party last year, September 2nd. Ever since, Kate and Brian glue themselves together at every party. Aria always floats around them like some goddamn satellite. It's insane."
Lila pushes away from the desk and walks over to the window. She stands with her back to Daria and Becky.
"Now, I get where Alex comes from. He's scared to make a move because he thinks it'll push Kate into Brian's arms faster. But honestly? His idea to invite Brian to live here... It's fucking genius. Probably the only useful thing we got from that bug. Brian will be here. Aria will be here. It's just easier to operate on home turf."
Daria hums thoughtfully and taps her fingers against the bed. "Yeah, I get what you're saying. But... doesn't that make it worse? If Alex is really that worried, won't having Brian right here just make it harder for him?"
Lila turns back from the window and crosses her arms. "No, it actually makes it easier. Control the situation, control the players. If we do it right, it's all in our hands." She smirks. "Besides, if Alex really wants to keep Kate, he needs to step up his game. And I think he knows that."
Becky grins and tilts her head. "You mean... he needs to stop being such a pussy and start acting like a man." She winks at Daria. "I love watching him squirm, but I don't want Kate leaving him. That'd be no fun at all."
Daria laughs and shakes her head. "You are so mean to him, Becky."
"I know, right? It's perfect." Becky leans back in her chair and stretches her arms over her head. "Anyway, yeah, I think Alex knows what's up."
Lila shrugs and turns her back to them again as she gazes out the window. Her brown eyes reflect faintly in the glass.
"He's doing the right thing by not showing it. It would look pretty bad if he suddenly started acting disagreeable and stopped supporting her—especially after she's had his back for four years straight. Four years without a single fight—that's some Guinness World Record shit, seriously. And the fact that Alex never spoke to Brian until yesterday, never even saw him at parties with Kate—that's a plus too. Less emotional turbulence, and Brian doesn't know where to hit him yet." She smirks at her own cleverness and taps her fingers against the window pane. "Alex being scared of losing her? That's fine. He should be. But he's got one thing working in his favor: he's got history with her. And he's not going anywhere. Brian might be a bigger dick, but he's still temporary."
Daria hums and shifts on the bed. "Temporary, huh? But for how long? If Kate's into him, she might start seeing him as a serious option. And Brian? He's got Aria behind him. That's a pretty strong team."
Lila turns slightly and glances over her shoulder with a smirk. "Yeah, that's the fun part. Aria loves playing games, but she's got limits. She'd never do anything that actually risks her friendship with Kate. And Brian?" She exhales a small laugh. "He's into Kate, sure, but he's not about to throw away what he's got with Aria. He's not stupid."
Becky snorts. "Oh please. You think Brian's gonna act all noble when he gets what he wants? He's not some tragic hero, Lila. He's just a guy with no self-control." She grins wickedly and crosses her arms. "And don't forget that Aria and Brian are in an open relationship. Aria values her friendships with her girls more than she does her boyfriends."
She glances from Lila to Daria and back again. "Really makes you think, right? Isn't Aria kind of impressive? She's been friends with Kate since college and clearly knows her well. She saw something in her that Alex either missed or refused to see, and she pushed just the right buttons."
Lila turns all the way around to face Becky. "What were we supposed to do? Kate knew about his panic attacks before we did. She's known him a little longer than us. She's the one who introduced us to him when she was hiring the staff here four years ago."
Lila rolls her neck a little and keeps going. "And what was I supposed to say? 'Hey Alex, so Kate's been chatting with this guy at every party for months now, more than with anyone else, and he's clearly flirting with her. She likes it, and Aria keeps fanning the flames. So maybe go downstairs, have a full-blown panic attack, get hospitalized for ultra-mega-super panic disorder.' Is that what I should've done?"
Becky snorts and tilts her head. "You could've just said something. Not 'Hey Alex, your girlfriend's got eyes for someone else,' because obviously he's not that clueless. But you could've warned him about Aria, at least. You know how she operates."
Lila exhales through her nose and shakes her head. "Nah. I think Aria likes keeping people guessing. She's not stupid. She wouldn't push Kate into anything she didn't already want. And Kate?" Lila smirks slightly. "She's always gravitated toward confident, assertive types. Alex is sweet, sure, but Brian's got that edge. That energy she sometimes can't resist."
Daria finishes her burger and crosses her arms, watching the conversation with amusement. "So what happens next?" she asks, looking between Becky and Lila. "Alex is clearly freaking out. Kate's clearly enjoying the attention. And Brian?" She smirks. "He's got that look about him. The one that says he's not here to play nice."
Lila hums in agreement. "Brian's not the type to just sit back and watch. He's gonna make his move. And unless Alex grows a pair, he's gonna let it happen." She shrugs. "Kate's got her own mind. She's always been like that. No one's ever been able to control her. And honestly?" She gestures vaguely. "Alex knew this was a possibility when they started dating. You don't get with Kate Norwin and expect her to be some ordinary girl."
Becky leans forward on the table, grinning. "Exactly! Kate's always been the one calling the shots. That's why this is so fun to watch. She's in control, and Alex? He's just along for the ride." She winks at Lila. "Makes you wonder if he even likes it."
Lila snorts. "I mean... we all know he does. That's half the problem." She drums her fingers against the tabletop and frowns slightly. "The question is how long he can handle it before he cracks. Alex isn't built for this kind of pressure. He's smart, sure. But when it comes to Kate? He's completely wrapped around her finger. And that finger is getting pulled in a lot of directions now."
Daria tilts her head, considering. "You really think Brian's gonna take this all the way? Like, actually move in? That's bold, even for him."
Lila shrugs. "Why not? He's got the money. He's got the connection. And judging by how things went with Aria..." She smirks. "...he's got the confidence to go for what he wants. If Kate's giving him even the smallest green light, he's gonna push for more."
Lila starts pacing the room, thinking aloud. "Kate's only ever been with Alex the whole four years they've been together. Before Kate, Alex hadn't dated anyone. And Kate had two boyfriends back in college."
Becky chuckles from her seat. "And they were both white!" She winks at Daria, who's still sitting on the bed and taking a sip from her Coke bottle.
Lila rolls her eyes. "That's not the point, Becky."
Then she turns to Daria. "You done eating? Go brush your teeth, baby girl. I'm pretty sure you've got a big day with Kate ahead of you. Just don't bug her with questions out on the golf course, alright? We don't want her suspecting we're digging." She glances at Becky, then back to Daria. "Same goes for the buyer meetings and... well, you get the idea."
Becky chuckles again. "No, Lila. You're missing something." She moves closer and speaks more quietly. "Alex knew from the start that Kate was a lot. That she wouldn't just be his. And he took the risk anyway. So now he's gotta deal with the consequences."
Lila crosses her arms. "Or maybe he's just realizing what he signed up for. Brian's not some random guy she met at a bar. He's got his own life, his own money, his own charisma." She smirks. "And Alex is starting to see that he can't just pretend this isn't happening."
Becky grins wider. "You know what I think? I think Alex is freaking out because he finally realizes how much he loves Kate. Like, really loves her. And now he's gotta share her with someone who's actually her type."
Daria giggles and brushes crumbs off her blue fleece full-zip hoodie. "You think Brian's her type?"
"Of course he is!" Becky scoffs. "Have you seen him? And have you seen Alex?" She gestures vaguely at herself, then dramatically at nothing, as if to represent Alex. "Like, I'm not saying Alex is ugly or anything. But Brian? Brian is the type of guy who belongs in a mansion. He's got that vibe."
Lila stops, standing there in her white bra and blue jeans, arms crossed. She glares at Becky, who's slouched in the chair wearing a pink T-shirt with the white-printed words "Fucking Monday" and loose-fitting black non-denim pants.
"Look, don't play dumb, Becky," Lila says, her voice low and firm. "Kate and Alex have a real connection. It's not just lust between them. It goes way deeper. But with Brian? That's all it is. Pure fucking lust. And you know what? Kate's not a slut. That's the thing. But this whole situation—Brian being her best friend's boyfriend, Alex not objecting—it gives her a chance to play the bad girl. That's all there is to it."
She pauses. "The problem is this thing could spiral out of control. Which is exactly why we pulled that little eavesdropping stunt this morning."
Lila pulls her phone from her jeans pocket and taps play on a recording from the planted bug. Kate's voice comes through, clear and relaxed.
"Jeez, Amy. You make it sound so complicated. It's not like I'm some helpless damsel in distress. I'm perfectly aware of what I'm doing."
A pause. Some ambient noises.
"And yeah, maybe Alex is giving me to Brian. But that doesn't mean he's giving me away. It's not like I belong to him. We've been together for four years, and if anything, this—"
On the tape, Amy cuts off Kate with the phrase, "Okay, wait, stop." Lila stops the playback and looks back at Becky.
"Do you seriously not get the psychology of the woman you work for as a personal assistant, Becky?"
She stares at her in silence. Becky snorts and rolls her eyes dramatically. She stretches her arms behind her head, pulling at the hem of her pink T-shirt as she leans back in the chair. "Oh please, Lil. You act like Kate's some delicate little flower who needs analyzing." She kicks her feet up onto the coffee table and crosses them at the ankles. "She knows exactly what she's doing. She's just having fun. And honestly? It's about time. The girl deserves to let loose."
Lila's gaze narrows. She steps closer and plants her hands on her hips. "You think this is just about fun? You think she's not getting attached to Brian? Because I've seen how she looks at him."
Meanwhile, Daria puts away the rest of her breakfast in the fridge and goes to brush her teeth in the shower room, leaving the door open so she can still hear the conversation between Lila and Becky.
Lila continues. "I've seen how she looks at him, Becky. All these months at every party. Brian would put on these public seduction acts disguised as conversations on all sorts of topics, and Aria was always dancing around them. Fuck, either Aria has no clue what she's doing, or she's deliberately trying to bring Brian and Kate together. Why? As far as I know, Aria and Alex have never had a conflict—which is stupid, considering Alex's character and the fact that he's her best friend's boyfriend."
Lila crosses her arms and looks at Becky playfully. "Well, that means we need to bug Aria and Brian's conversations to figure it all out. Right?"
Becky throws her head back with a laugh, the sound rich and throaty as she kicks her feet playfully against the coffee table. "Oh my god, you are obsessed with this shit," she says, wiping a tear from the corner of her eye. "You sound like some kind of fucking spy novel." She sits up, swinging her legs off the table and onto the floor. "But fine. Let's play detective." She leans forward, resting her elbows on her knees. "First of all, Aria is a fucking genius. She knows exactly what she's doing. She wants Brian to fuck Kate, and she's letting it happen without making a big deal out of it. That's why she lets them talk alone, why she keeps disappearing at parties, why she's always giving Brian space to flirt." Becky wiggles her eyebrows. "And Brian? He's eating it up. I mean, look at him. He’s been in love with Kate for months now—ever since September 2nd, when Aria introduced the two of them right here at one of the parties. And now he's got her wrapped around his finger. That boy's got moves."
She claps her hands together.
Lila scoffs and shakes her head. "You act like this is some grand seduction scheme. But if Aria wants Brian to be with Kate, why is she still here? Why hasn't she cut ties with him and just let him move on?"
Becky taps her fingers against her knee. "Because drama is her favorite drug, Lil. And because she knows Brian won't just jump ship. He loves her too, in his own fucked-up way. But that doesn't mean she's not gonna let him play with Kate. Aria gets off on knowing Brian wants someone else. It keeps him interested. And honestly? I think she likes the idea of sharing Brian with Kate."
Lila crosses her arms. "Of course Brian's not gonna leave Aria," she says with a smirk. "They're in an open relationship, and apparently a strong one. But Kate? Our blonde seems fine with it. She has one official boyfriend, Alex, and now there's Brian too, the one she's sharing with her best friend. I guess for now it works for her. But it's still a really fucking risky situation. They're not some bunch of forty-something married swingers from L.A. who just don't give a shit anymore. No marriage, no kids, everyone's under thirty. Sure, this is the time to experiment all you want, but their experiments are dragging us into it too."
Lila sighs.
"Alright. So what do you suggest? Just sit back and watch them play games with each other's feelings?"
She glances at Becky.
"You did agree to this little stunt this morning, crashing into Alex and Kate's room, remember? When—"
Becky giggles. Lila keeps going.
"—when Alex was going down on Kate."
At that moment, Daria walks out of the shower room after brushing her teeth and sits on the bed.
Lila keeps talking to Becky.
"And if you agreed, that means you feel it too, the danger. They're not just our bosses. They're our fucking friends."
Becky smirks.
"I'm in, Lil. Whatever happens, I'm not stepping back now." Lila exhales slowly and shakes her head. "That's what I was afraid of."
Becky stretches her arms above her head and cracks her knuckles. "Afraid of what? Fun? Drama? Living in a goddamn soap opera?" She grins. "Face it, Lil, we're not just employees here. We're part of this fucked-up family, and families get messy. The only difference is—"
She leans forward, resting her chin on her hands.
"—we get to watch."
Lila presses her lips together. "I just don't want anyone to get hurt."
Becky snorts. "Yeah, well, that's not up to us, is it?"
February 5, 2024, 9:20 AM. Château des Rêves, third floor, Alex's office.
"Here, look."
Alex sits at his desk and sets a small bugging device on the surface, the very one Lila and Becky planted in his and Kate's room a couple hours ago when they barged in during his anilingus session with Kate.
He wears black trousers and a white shirt.
Standing in front of him is Lila, dressed in dark blue trousers and a matching dark blue deep-cut blazer with no top underneath, or at least nothing visible.
"Good thing I noticed this and not Kate. Listen, I appreciate it… uh… I already figured Becky staged that whole scene this morning on purpose, barging into our room so you could slip this thing in quietly. But you do realize we're supposed to be listening in on Aria, her conversations with Brian. Don't think I'm some kind of pushover just handing over my girl to some Black guy. You get the situation, right? I can't just tell Kate no. That's not even an option. That strategy doesn't work. It never will. Especially not here."
He leans back and eyes Lila's outfit.
"As always, refined and sexy," he remarks.
"You still haven't told me why Dana wants me at the publisher's office today, only that there's nothing bad going on. Is it really something so important that you and I can't just talk to her over video?"
Alex smirks.
"What is this, the fucking nineties?"
"Alex, don't make this complicated. Dana wants you there because she likes working with authors face-to-face. Because this is a big deal. Because she thinks you're worth the effort." Lila angles her face slightly, looking down at him. "And because I told her you'd do better in person than over a shitty video call."
Alex smirks. "Yeah, of course." He sighs, then continues.
"Look, I don't even want to know what you two overheard through that bug when Kate and Amy were talking and I was in the shower."
He pushes the device toward Lila.
"Next time, be more careful. Kate won't like it if she finds it. I really should tell her about it, but..."
Alex rubs his face with both hands.
"Fuck, Lila... First it was the tutoring thing with Sarah. Now this bug. Do you realize you're fucking things up just as much as Aria is? I get that you're coming from a good place, but let me handle my own relationship with Kate, alright?
But if you do want to keep playing with this shit, listen in on Aria, like I said. Not Kate, okay?
By the way, Kate's got a date with Brian today at 7 PM at the Topanga Canyon Inn. You probably already heard it through the bug. I'm sure she mentioned it to Amy."
Alex crosses his arms.
"And they'll probably sleep together for the first time there. Yeah. They definitely will.
And yeah, I told Kate Brian could move in with us. You probably know that too by now.
So... I've also got my second English grammar lesson with Sarah at 3 PM today. She's probably gonna flirt with me again."
Lila picks up the bugging device with an amused expression. She twirls it between her fingers before slipping it into her blazer pocket.
"Relax, Alex. You're wound so tight I can hear your gears grinding from here." She leans against his desk, arms crossed, the fabric of her blazer pulling taut across her chest. "If you want to handle things with Kate yourself, fine. But you're not handling them well. You're drowning in your own anxiety."
She studies his face, noting the dark circles under his eyes, the way his jaw keeps tightening and releasing. "Sarah's flirting with you because she's attracted to you. It's not some big conspiracy."
Alex sighs.
"Am I drowning? Yeah, I'm drowning. Everything was fine until two days ago, Saturday morning, February 3, when Aria barged into this office and told me she apparently has some boyfriend, Brian, and they're in an open relationship. And that this Brian guy has been talking to my girlfriend Kate at parties for months, in my house, in this Château des Rêves. And Aria suggested the two of them should sleep together, and now all three of them seem interested in the idea."
He looks at Lila.
"And then you spent the whole day trying to calm me down with your 'optimistic'"—Alex makes air quotes with his fingers—"takes about how it's not a big deal if things get serious between Kate and Brian.
Then came my talk with Kate that same Saturday night, in my old office, where I said yes to everything.
And how could I not? I know that thing women do: 'You can say no, but you'll break my heart.' And it's not some manipulative joke. I really do owe her. Kate started a relationship with me when I was a fucking wreck, having panic attacks every other day. She's been with me for four years. She really loves me. That's something none of you here seem to get…"
Alex exhales again.
"Then I had that conversation with Brian yesterday at 3 PM... which actually went great—but right after that, I had that meltdown in the car. So yeah, fuck it—can we drop this now? I'm tired of talking about it."
Lila's lips curve into a slow, knowing smile as she leans even closer. The desk creaks slightly under her weight.
"Oh, I don't think I can drop it that easily," she murmurs. "Not when you're sitting here looking like a man about to crack in half. You're not just tired, Alex—you're terrified. And I get it. Really, I do. But fear makes people do stupid things. Like agree to some messy, complicated arrangement just to keep from feeling left behind."
She studies his face intently.
"You think Kate doesn't know what she's doing?"
Alex looks at Lila with irritation. "Lila, I love you, but you..." He sighs, his gaze turning tired. "Stop trying to teach me how to love my girlfriend. It's fucking stupid. Am I afraid of losing Kate? Yeah, I am. And what straight man in his right mind wouldn't be? There are guys everywhere—at parties, in the mansion among the staff, at the Swag&Pop gallery... fucking everywhere. And all of them start drooling the second they look at Kate. At those 117 lbs of perfect genes, that ocean of talent, charisma, brains, beauty, and everything else on the damn list. And out of all those guys, she chose me—with my panic disorder, back when I wasn't some 'brilliant erotic writer.' So maybe don't throw shit at Kate right now, okay?"
Alex runs a hand through his hair. "Anyway, we should head to Dana's soon."
Lila doesn't move from her position leaning against the desk. Her face still shows that knowing smirk. "Oh, we've got time," she says, watching him with amusement. "I just love when you get all riled up like this. It's like watching a teapot about to whistle."
She stretches her legs out, crossing them at the ankles, completely at ease despite his obvious discomfort.
"And you know what? You're right—Kate chose you. But not because she was some tragic heroine saving a broken man. She chose you because she loves you. And right now, she's choosing to have fun with Brian too. They've both decided that."
Alex gets up from the table. "Yeah, they've both decided that. I'm just paranoid and my reaction isn't exactly sane because of my unstable mental state. Like, I'm supposed to learn how to share."
He chuckles, walking over to the window and looking out at the mansion grounds beyond the glass.
"And don't act like Aria, Lila. If you've got something to say—just say it. I'm tired of two days of verbal sparring with you."
He sighs again, his green eyes reflected in the windowpane.
"You think Kate doesn't know what she's doing?" he repeats Lila's words. "And what exactly do you think she's doing?"
That's when Lila realizes it is time to be honest—and not to push him anymore. Lila straightens up, sliding off the desk with a soft thud. She moves closer to Alex, deliberately closing the space between them until her shoulder brushes against his arm.
"You think I don't know what she's doing?" Lila asks quietly. "Kate's smart. She doesn't do anything without knowing exactly what she's getting into." Her brown eyes flick up to meet his reflection in the window. "She's been testing Brian since September. Seeing if he could handle her. If he was worth it."
Alex's shoulders tense slightly as he listens.
"And now she's sure he is," Lila continues. "So she's letting him in. Fully."
She pauses, letting her words settle.
Alex turns to face Lila, looking into her brown eyes.
"So you're saying that at that party, when Aria introduced them—Kate was already checking him out? Like, right from September 2nd? And that when Aria brought it all up to her on January 26—she already knew what Kate would say?"
He pauses for a second.
"Look, the fact that Kate didn't tell me everything about Brian right away... You get it—we had this agreement that I wouldn't ask who she talks to at parties—that was my idea. I just wasn't interested. I don't like parties. And not just because of the panic attacks. I'm not the jealous type. I don't care. But that's not the point, is it?"
Alex glances off to the side, continuing.
"I understand Kate. We're young, unmarried, no kids, both creative—you know how it is, sooner or later that kind of life starts to get boring. You start craving something new. I don't want to be selfish and... well, if she needs this... Is it really so bad? Besides, she's not planning to leave me for Brian...
Lila—can we just drop this already?"
Lila tilts her head slightly, studying Alex's face with an unreadable expression. Her fingers brush against his sleeve in a light touch, just enough to anchor the moment.
"Of course it's bad," she says softly, her words barely above a whisper. "It's bad in the same way that leaving the window open is bad—eventually, something cold will blow in." She catches his eye, her gaze steady. "But you don't close the window because of that. You just make sure you're ready for what comes next."
She steps closer, her body radiating warmth that he can't ignore. "And Kate? She's ready. You're just not sure you are."
Alex sighs, still not looking at Lila.
"But California doesn't always have cold air, does it? The climate is still better here than where I used to live, right? It's not about your weird metaphor, it's just..."
Alex pauses.
"Kate had relationships before me. Back in college. And I didn't. You see, all these changes in my life happened too fast and all at once—moving to the U.S., starting a relationship with Kate, meeting Chase Runker, who saw my talent and introduced me to Dana... And this mansion... Fuck, what kind of publisher gives a writer a mansion? Sure, a talented one, but one who hasn't even made a name for himself yet... And honestly, I don't even want that—it's easier to write under pseudonyms. No crowds of fangirls outside my window, and Sogni Nudi has a whole bunch of awesome authors instead of just one. Not that I'm putting down my fellow writers at the publishing house, but... you get it."
Alex rubs his temple with his right hand, then looks Lila in the eyes and looks away again.
"Anyway, I just don't want my girlfriend to someday become my ex-girlfriend, that's all. And I don't give a fuck that it's a normal thing and it happens to everyone... It's not gonna happen to me, got it?"
He sighs, walks over to the desk and picks up his phone, checking the screen.
"9:25... Let's start getting out of the mansion. I don't want to drag this shit out until noon. The sooner we talk to Dana, the better."
Lila's fingers tighten slightly on his sleeve as he moves away, but she doesn't stop him. She watches as he checks the time, her brown eyes scanning his face with quiet intensity. The space between them is charged—not with anger, but with something more complex. Concern. Frustration. And beneath it all, an unspoken understanding.
"You're overthinking," she says simply. She leans back against the desk, crossing her arms. "That's your problem. You think too much about things that haven't even happened yet."
Alex sighs. "I think I've already heard that... from you, multiple times over the last two days. But I can't help overthinking. I'm a writer. I always think."
Then he pauses, a hint of playfulness creeping into his voice.
"Actually, Kate and Brian might look pretty good together... She already showed me a pic of him... Kate's face and that... mmm... raw, no Photoshop or AI deepfake shit... Just like that interracial stuff we watched together, Lila. You know, when we were looking for inspiration for the books."
Alex crosses his arms, grinning at Lila.
"Gotta remind Kate not to forget a photo—or even a video—of their after-dinner party tonight after the 7 PM date at Topanga Canyon Inn."
Lila snorts softly, eyes narrowing just a little.
"Fuck, Alex... You really want a souvenir?" she teases, voice low. "You want her to send you a selfie with him in frame?"
She leans in just a bit, smirking.
"Maybe with a little caption—'Wish you were here'?"
Alex rolls his eyes.
"There you go again, repeating your strategy from two days ago. Fine, let's go—no point making Dana wait. Let's get this over with."