Natalie turned to Matt. “More important, where is Jazzmyn? Any gossip?” She paused while Dusky Rose lip gloss was painted onto her lips. “I’m dying to know why she can’t be here.”

Matt shook his head. “Other than the thing in EarlyBird, no clue.”

“What was in EarlyBird?” Natalie asked, studying the lip color in the mirror.

“She was spotted doing a bad walk of shame out of the Jefferson Hotel last night. Tears ’n’ all,” he said. “Some Mr. Right must have turned out to be Very Wrong.”

Natalie turned to face Matt, realization dawning. “Matt, she was there with the Chief.”

“Definitely Mr. Wrong,” Matt said, gloating.

“Shit. What if something terrible happened?” Natalie whispered, staring at the floor.

Pulse flaring, Natalie felt her chest pool with dread. Except it wasn’t dread, it was guilt. After what happened with the Chief in the kitchen, she should have found Jazzmyn. She should have stepped in. She’d let Jazzmyn march into that. Why? Was she jealous? Trying to hurt her? Honestly, she hadn’t even thought about the younger woman. She’d just taken the pills and checked out.

“Listen, lie down with dogs,” Matt said.

“Jazzmyn can take care of herself,” the makeup artist declared, squeezing Natalie lightly on the shoulder. Turning, the woman faced Matt, brandishing a flatiron like a weapon. “Now back up. We need to get her ready.”

“Okay, okay, don’t brand me please,” Matt said, putting up his hands in surrender.

Natalie’s eyes were wet when she turned to Matt. “Matt, can you please find out where Jazzmyn is today and how I can reach her?” Her throat was starting to go sore.

“Just focus on nailing this gig,” Matt said. “I like the idea of producing for an anchor.”

“Please,” Natalie implored.

“Fine. If you’re going to be a downer, I’ll go raid the office supply cabinet. Did you know they still stock office supplies? Welcome to the modern office of the new millennium, have a number 2 pencil. See you in the studio, Hot Nerd,” he said as he ambled out of the room.

When Matt was gone, Natalie wiped away her tears and inhaled deeply. She would check in on Jazzmyn later. There was nothing she could do right now. She had to focus. She apologized to the makeup artist who leaned in for a quick touch-up.

“You didn’t get this from me,” the makeup artist said. “Better to lie low with the Chief. He can be vindictive. Whatever you think you know, let it go. Jazzmyn will be okay. She’s spent a lot of this time in this chair and I can tell you she’s tougher than you think. So don’t play the hero, just get on that set and do your thing.”