Tia wandered to the window and looked out on the bustling streets of downtown LA. Had Ms. Miles been so shocked by what she’d seen that she was calling someone to report how terrible it was? Or to ask her superior if they should cancel the shoot?

She winced at the possibility but reminded herself that was insecurity talking. Almost any magazine would be eager for the chance she’d just given People.

True to her word, Nina reappeared a few minutes later. “Why don’t we have you come over here and take a seat? Katherine Stewart’s on her way. She’s one of the best makeup artists in the industry.”

Tia doubted makeup could fix the problem. She’d tried that herself. But she’d resigned herself to the process, and, of course, any professional shoot would start with hair and makeup, so she allowed Nina to lead her to the mirrorless vanity.

“Would you like a cup of coffee or tea while you wait?”

The lump in Tia’s throat made it difficult to speak, so she shook her head. All she wanted was to get this over with as soon as possible.

“Okay. It shouldn’t be long,” Nina said and left again.

While she was alone, Tia pulled out her phone and stared down at the many calls she’d missed from Seth. She could’ve answered while driving to LA. She’d heard her phone ring. But she was afraid he’d talk her out of what she was about to do, and she didn’t want to give herself an excuse to procrastinate this any longer.

But his latest message, a text, was new.

Can you answer my calls? Please? I’m worried about you.

Worried suggested he cared, but she was careful not to let herself believe he cared too much. They were just friends. He’d made that clear.

She considered texting a response to let him know there was no reason to be concerned, but once she allowed him to engage her, she’d have no excuse for not picking up the phone. And she couldn’t start a conversation with him until this was over.

She was just sliding her phone back into her purse when Nina came in. “It’s official. You’ve made the cover!” she announced. “We had to make some adjustments and rearrange a few things, so now we’re under a strict deadline and can’t waste a second.”