Three
“No, thank you,” Lara said, trying to smile
as she shook the editor’s hand. She
picked up her briefcase and slowly walked out of the office to the
elevator. She blinked back tears as she
stepped inside, mentally crossing yet another magazine off her list. They didn’t want to publish you if you
didn’t have any experience, yet how were you supposed to GET experience if no
one would publish you?
Cursing herself for walking the ten blocks instead
of taking a cab, she carefully strode down the sidewalk, trying her best not to
trip in her one good pair of semi-high heeled shoes. Lara bit her bottom lip as the tears threatened to fall. She knew she was good. She knew she was more
than a waitress. But no one else seemed
to want to take a chance on her.
“Hey, there,” a voice said in front of her,
and she looked up. Lance Bass smiled at
her from behind his aviator sunglasses.
“Oh, hi,” she said, amazed that he
remembered her.
“Justin, look who it is,” he hissed so no
one would really pay attention. Justin
Timberlake walked up behind Lance.
“Hello,” Justin said, the million dollar
smile bright and sunny.
“Hi,” Lara said, sighing.
“Are you okay?” Justin said, tipping his
baseball cap back slightly. “Are you
crying?”
“Yes. I mean, no. I mean…no,” Lara stammered.
“You look really nice,” Lance volunteered,
and she gave him a small smile.
“I, uh, had an interview.”
“Really?
Where?” Justin asked. She
pointed over her shoulder. “You’re a
writer?”
“I thought so,” she said, sighing. “But they
didn’t.”
“They’re stupid. I hate their magazine,
anyway,” Justin said, and she had to laugh.
“I use it to line my ferret cage, if it
makes you feel any better,” Lance said, and she laughed again.
“Yes, that does make me feel better,” Lara
said. “Well, I’ll let you guys go.
Thanks.”
“Hey, we were just gonna grab lunch,” Justin
said. “And it’s a shame for you to
waste looking that good. Wanna come
with us?”
“Uh, I don’t know,” Lara said, looking from
Justin to Lance.
“Really, it’s okay,” Lance said. “I have
calls to make, and Justin always pouts if I don’t give him my full attention.”
“I do not,” Justin said, pouting. “C’mon…we’re not as good as JC?”
Lara gave him a strange look. “He told you we went out?”
“He sure did,” Lance said, trying not to
smile.
“Um, yes, of course you’re as good as
JC. Better, I’m sure,” Lara said, and
Justin grinned again.
“Honey, if you only KNEW. C’mon.”
Justin placed a hand on the small of her back and turned her towards the
downtown area.
Lara ended up having a wonderful time at
lunch. They took her to a restaurant
that she knew was semi-exclusive, but she actually felt quite comfortable
there. Lance did spend most of his time
on the phone, and Justin gave her his full attention. When they walked out of the restaurant, Lance said goodbye and
headed down the street. Justin turned
to Lara.
“So…have I redeemed myself for whatever made
you so pissy the other night?”
“You can’t help the friends you have,” she
said simply. “But I was wrong and I
apologize.”
“So…busy tonight?” Justin asked, and Lara
was reminded of JC. She frowned.
“I think I am.”
“I thought we could go grocery shopping,” he
said with a grin. “Interested?”
“Is that another way of saying something else?”
Lara asked.
“No,” Justin said, giving her an odd look.
“I need to go grocery shopping again.”
“Should I set my alarm for midnight?” Lara
teased.
“No.
We’ll grab a bite at like ten…maybe some dessert?” Justin was shocked at the look on Lara’s
face. “What? You don’t like ice cream?”
“I love ice cream, but…” Lara shook her
head. “No, dessert is fine. I’ll meet
you somewhere.”
“No, let me come get you,” Justin said. “It’s easier for me.” Lara sighed, feeling as if she was getting
herself into something bigger than she was ready for. She rattled off her address.
“I will make this an evening you will NOT forget,” Justin said with his
beautiful smile. Lara frowned, but
prepared to give him the benefit of the doubt.
