"I'll fill you in when I see you," Liz says. "I'd really, really love to have lunch. Can you do the Cheesecake Factory and shopping at the Grove on Saturday?"

I smile. Food and shopping. This is just what the two of us need. I can tell her what's been going on with my projects and she can tell me more about this NYU program. I look at my Sidekick schedule and breathe a sigh of relief. I'm actually free! "That sounds great. I've got so much to talk to you about. Work has been --"

"Kates, I'm sorry, I have to go," Liz interrupts. "Mikayla's here and we're late for kickboxing. I'll call you later." Click.

Did Liz really just cut me off? This day keeps getting worse.

I grab my things and rush out the door to meet Rodney at the car. I take a few deep breaths and remind myself that the car will be nice and quiet. In twenty minutes, I'll see Austin and I can forget about everything else.

I slide into the backseat and bump right into Matty and Nadine.

"What are you guys doing here?" I ask, alarmed. I thought Nadine left already.

"Don't worry," Matty tells me. "Rod is going to drop you off on your date first, and then take me home. I waited around because I had something I wanted to tell you: I got the part in the Scooby-Doo pilot!"

For a split second, I'm stunned. You mean, my younger brother already has another job lined up and I don't? I instantly feel worried, but then I remember that this is Matty's moment, not mine. My fear will have to wait. "That's awesome!" I hug him. For once, Matty actually lets me. He usually complains that I make him appear younger than he really is when I get all affectionate.

"I'm going to play Velma's boyfriend," Matty tells me. "He's new to the gang."

"If we could just get you to settle on something, the Burkes would be set," Nadine says to me.

I feel my skin bristle, but I smile. I'm already freaked out enough as it is; does Nadine have to make it worse? "I thought you had to go somewhere," I say.

"I went and came back," Nadine explains. "Seth had more scripts for you to read." She drops them in my lap. "Have you thought any more about that play in New York? Seth said they're dying to fly you out there to talk about the part. And they want to put you on the phone with Meg Valentine, the original star, to hear more about the show."

"I'm interested," I admit. "But I'm nervous because I've never done theater."

"You need to leave the Sam stigma behind and this would be one way to do it," Nadine says. "I still can't believe you didn't like I Would Hate You If I Didn't Love You."

I do a double take. Is this Nadine talking or my mom? Sam stigma? I read the I Love You pilot that Sky likes and hated it. "Nadine, that show wanted me to do nudity!" I remind her.