“All right, I think we’re all here,” the line producer, Tina, announced, ushering us into the meeting before I could follow through on my threats, not that Theo looked very concerned. On the contrary, he seemed very entertained by my threats of violence. Tina was great to work with and so far did not seem to find any of Chase’s bullshit cute. She’d almost bitten his head off when he’d attempted to tug on one of her boho locs. At least I knew I had her in my corner.

Once we were all seated the introductions went smoothly enough. The rep for the show’s sponsor, Smithson-Napa, seemed friendly. There were also a couple of other producers, as well as Julio, the foreman from the contractors I’d hired, who was now Theo’s counterpart. My former boss was currently leaning over an iPad in Julio’s hand while the other man grinned at whatever he’d said. It seemed Julio was one more person in the long list of people who, unlike me, loved working with Theo.

“Let’s get started because we have a lot of ground to cover.” Everyone turned to Tina at the front. “First order of business is getting Alba, our designer, to walk us through the design elements she wants us to focus on during filming. We can discuss the schedule and see where the contractors—” she tipped her chin to Theo and Julio “—want us to focus. We’ve got a great team here, full of seasoned professionals.”

“Well, not everyone is seasoned.”

I didn’t give Chase the satisfaction of turning around, but I knew he was likely looking at me. “Some of us have never been in front of a camera and it shows.”

“Let’s get on with it, shall we?” Tina didn’t look too happy at Chase’s tone, but she kept things cordial...though I would’ve liked nothing more than to tear that fucker a new one. But I’d learned the hard way that the only way to survive situations like this was to double down on my politeness. Disgruntled, entitled white men were not a foe I could afford to antagonize when it came to my career.

I was certain Tina had learned that lesson long ago too, so she just sent me a “keep your cool” look and turned her attention back to Theo. Theo, for his part, did nothing to hide his disdain for Chase. Thankfully Tina nixed the stare off and called me to the front of the room.

“Miss Duarte, are you ready?” Tina prompted, and I stood up hoping I looked readier than I felt.