Noah took a step back. He felt the annoyance at her potential relationship status dull. Damn it. She wasn’t supposed to be thoughtful. She was supposed to be a vapid, self-obsessed, train wreck of celebrity.

City Hall’s roof was a year past dire. But without tapping into emergency reserves, there was no way to fund it without raising taxes. And that wasn’t going to happen, especially not after what they’d been through with the storm and the flood. He’d resolved himself to working with buckets for at least another year. On the bright side, he probably wouldn’t need a humidifier.

“I ran into Carolanne, Yates’ secretary, at that damn cookie place that I can’t stay away from—by the way remind me to remind Henry to schedule me some training sessions or else I’m going to be wider than Santa by Christmas,” Cat said. “Anyway, she said there’s no funding for it. I know it’s not a sexy project. But at least it would be one thing we wouldn’t need to shoot.”

Paige nodded thoughtfully. “If you’re right, and we’re on the verge of having a ton of volunteers and donations coming our way, we should be able to swing it. I agree that it’s not sexy, and we don’t need to cull out any shooting time. Maybe a drone shot for B-roll would work?”

“Awesome,” Cat nodded. She picked up the cup between her legs and sipped.

“Interesting that you’d think to do something nice for your sworn enemy,” Paige said slyly. Noah took a step to the left so he was hidden behind a hastily tied tarp that cut the wind.

“I’m not doing something nice for Asshat Yates,” Cat argued. “He’s not the only one who works in that building.”

“So, you don’t find him the least bit attractive?” Jayla asked through a bite of everything bagel.

“Shut up, Jayla,” Cat snapped. Jayla laughed.

“Come on, Cat. Admit it. He’s pretty easy on the eyes.” Noah felt his ears warm in embarrassment. He wasn’t used to overhearing such things about himself. Conversations about him around Merry usually involved what project he’d just shot down and what initiatives he’d declined to pursue. This was new.

“Yeah? Well too bad his personality is an arid desert of human feelings,” Cat shot back.

That was more like it.

“You can admit he’s handsome and still be mortal enemies,” Paige pointed out.

“Can we please get back to work?” Cat groaned. “I’m exhausted already, and it’s barely nine.”

“No one twisted your arm to be here so early,” Paige reminded her.

Cat yawned, and Noah caught a glimpse of her stretching her arms overhead. “Back to the agenda, ladies. I need some breakfast before the next scene.”