“Works for me,” Gabby murmured, sliding over toward Vince. “I’m ready.”
“Right this way,” he told her. The pair walked off, chatting with one another while leaving Devon and Ryan behind.
“Man, it’s like that?” Ryan asked, holding his arms out at his sides. “Y’all just gon’ leave us back here like we don’t matter?”
“That’s what it looks like,” Devon chimed in. “Gabby went in for the kill quick, didn’t she?”
“And Vince is right there with her! Those two might be married before our workout is over.”
“Oh well. From the looks of things, you and I might be on our own.”
Ryan led the way as the pair headed toward the weight room. “That wouldn’t necessarily be a bad thing, would it?”
Devon’s head swiveled so fast that she almost induced whiplash. She looked in Ryan’s eyes and saw a soft sincerity.
“No,” she replied quietly. “It wouldn’t.”
“Hey!” Vince called out. “Let’s go, you two! Gabby’s already started stretching!”
“We’re right behind her,” Ryan said as he and Devon walked through the door. He grabbed two mats and turned to her. “You ready to get to work?”
“I guess,” she sighed, glancing around the room at one super fit body after another.
Ryan reached over and gently placed his hand on her shoulder. “Dee, you look great. Your diet and workout routine are obviously paying off. Trust me, you’re giving these other women in here a run for their money.”
“Lies, all lies,” Devon said, shaking her head while struggling to contain her grin.
“All facts,” Ryan refuted. He rolled their mats out onto the floor, got down on one knee and offered her his hand. “Just stick close to me. I’ll look out for you and make sure you get a good workout in and have some fun. Okay?”
“Okay…”
The jittery nerves that had been floating through Devon’s stomach suddenly transformed into electrifying tingles. She placed her hand in Ryan’s, praying that her wobbly knees wouldn’t give out on her while she kneeled next to him.
Once she was down on the mat, Devon proceeded to follow Vince’s lead. But while her eyes were on him, her mind was undoubtedly on Ryan.
“Wow,” Ryan uttered, watching as Devon bent forward and touched her nose to the mat. “You’re really flexible.”
“I have my YouTube Pilates sessions with Gabby to thank for that.”
“They’re obviously paying off.”
Devon looked over at Ryan and saw what appeared to be both admiration and attraction in his eyes. She gave him a tight, self-conscious smile, then turned her attention back to Vince.
“Raise your arms up over your head and inhale,” he said. “Now arms down and exhale. And that’s it. Back on your feet, team. Time for some cardio.”
The group followed Vince into a room filled with treadmills, ellipticals, stair machines and stationary bikes.
“Treadmill time,” he announced. “Let’s hit it!”
Ryan took Devon’s hand and helped her up onto one of the machines.
“Such a gentleman,” she told him before tapping the start button and beginning a slow jog. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome. And I’m well aware of the fact that you could’ve hopped on the treadmill by yourself, but…”
“But what?”
“I was just looking for a reason to hold your hand.”
Devon gasped slightly and almost stumbled off the side of the machine. She grabbed the handles and quickly regained her balance.
“Oh!” Ryan said, reaching over and clutching her arm. “Are you okay?”
“Yep!” she chirped, her entire body stinging with embarrassment. “I’m good.”
When Ryan chuckled softly, Devon swatted his arm.
“That wasn’t funny!”
“I know, I know. I’m sorry. Let’s shake it off and get serious. Try some sprints. Vince and Gabby are over there killing us.”
Devon looked across the aisle and saw the pair running at full speed.
“Come on, you two!” Vince barked at them. “Let’s pick it up down there!”
Ryan punched up the pace on his treadmill. “You got it, boss man!”
Dear legs, please don’t fail me now, Devon said to herself as she increased the speed on her machine. Inhale two, three, four. Exhale two, three, four. She was so focused on her form and stamina that she didn’t realize Ryan was staring at her while clapping his hands.
“Go ’head, Devon! You’re out here looking like a track star.”
“Aw, thanks,” she panted, hoping she could keep it up considering she’d never sprinted at that pace before.
But twenty minutes later, Devon was still hanging in there with the other three.
She was, however, relieved when Vince told them it was time to move on and led them back to the weight room.
“All right, guys,” he said. “Time to get into some strength training. I’ll spot Gabby—and, Ryan, you can spot Devon. How does that sound?”
“Sounds good to me,” Ryan said. “Dev, does that work for you?”
“Yes! I mean…sure. That works.” She pressed her fingernails into her palms, hoping no one else noticed the shrill excitement in her tone.
“Actually,” Ryan said to Vince. “Is it cool if we split up and do our own thing?”
Vince crossed his arms and threw him a look.
“Aw come on. Don’t start. I just think we’d all get a better workout in if we break off into twos.” Ryan turned to Devon with an expectant look on his face.
“Yes, I agree,” she chimed in. “That way, we can all get more reps in.”
“Oh, can we now?” Gabby said, her tone dripping with a mix of humor and sarcasm.
Devon squinted her eyes at Gabby while mouthing the words don’t start.
“If that’s what you all think would be best,” Vince told them. “Then be my guests.”
Ryan grabbed Devon’s hand and led her toward a rack of free weights. “We do. Thanks!”
Devon gave Gabby a slight wave on the way there. Gabby winked at her before slinking off with Vince. Devon then turned her attention back to Ryan and took a deep breath in an effort to suppress the nerves swirling inside her stomach.
“You ready for this one-on-one with me?” he asked, handing her a pair of ten-pound weights.
“I hope so.”
“You’re ready. Come on, let’s start with some shoulder presses.”
Ryan placed his hands underneath her elbows and guided her arms up over her head. “You know how they say you should be able to have a conversation while you work out?”
“I do,” Devon breathed, lowering her arms and raising them again.
“Good. Then let’s talk about all the scripts you’re going to write for Here to Stay when Lena lets you take the lead in the writers room.”
“What? I’m not even in the writers room. I’m a production assistant. Remember?”
“I do remember. But at the rate you’re going, you’ll be in there very soon. So shoot me some great ideas. That way when the time comes, you’ll be ready.”
“I love your faith in me,” Devon said right before she happily began sharing her script ideas.
*
Gabby and Devon stood looking in the ladies’ room mirror at Toast Café, touching up their hair and makeup. Right before Devon turned to walk out, Gabby grabbed her arm.
“Dev,” she breathed, her eyes dancing dreamily, “I think Vince just might be my husband.”
“Gab, you just met the man. Shouldn’t you at least get a date or two in before you start talking like that?”
She shrugged her shoulders and followed Devon back out into the restaurant. “Hey, when you know, you know.”
“Okay, girl. Just let me know if you need help with the wedding planning.”
Devon stopped before they reached the table and pulled her buzzing phone from her pocket. A ton of social media notifications fl
ooded her home screen.
“Why do you look like you just saw a ghost?” Gabby asked.
“Because all of my social media accounts look to be blowing up.”
“Really?” Gabby reached inside her purse and pulled out her phone. “Did you repost our gym pics?”
“I did. And now I see that’s where all these likes and comments are coming from. Zoe reposted them on all of Posh Fit’s accounts, too.”
“Ayyye!” Gabby squealed, bouncing up and down. “We went viral! My post has already gotten over five hundred likes!”
“So has mine.” Devon’s voice was barely audible as she read a comment that had been left on her post.
“What’d you say?” Gabby looked over at Devon’s phone. “Looking great, ladies,” she read aloud. “Keep up the amazing work. Dev, you’re killin’ it. Hashtag body on point.”
Gabby and Devon side-eyed one another.
“No Jason is not trying to get back in good with you on the strength of your glow-up. Block him. I insist.”
“I’m not gonna block him. Let him see me out here shining.”
Gabby glanced back down at Devon’s cell. “Wait, what does that comment say underneath his?”
Devon pulled the phone in closer. “They do look great, don’t they, Jay?” she read.
“Oh, and look who left it,” Gabby said. “Lisa! You know what? You’re right. Don’t block either one of them. Like you said, let them watch you shine.”
“I will. And by the way, I peeped how you tagged Ryan and Vince on all your posts, just so everybody would know we’re with them.”
“Why shouldn’t I let everybody know we’re hanging out with two of the finest men in Cali?”
“You’re so messy.” Devon laughed as they approached the table.
Ryan and Vince stood up and pulled out their chairs.
“Ladies, welcome back,” Ryan said, smiling at Devon while she and Gabby sat down. “We were getting ready to put out an APB on you two.”
“Sorry for the delay,” Devon replied, looking around at everyone while trying not to squirm underneath Ryan’s intense gaze. “Social media had us caught up.”
Ryan stared at her with mock rage. “You mean to tell me you left us out here all that time so you could catch chat with all your admirers? I’m offended.”
“So am I,” Vince said, cozying up to Gabby. “How’re you gonna make it up to me?”
“I can think of a few ways…”
“And on that note,” Devon said, raising her hand in the air, “check please!”
The group broke out into laughter, and Vince looked down at his watch. “My next client isn’t due at the gym for another hour. Why don’t we order a round of mimosas for you three and orange juice for me to celebrate this joyous occasion?”
“Let’s do it,” Ryan responded. “Ladies? You in?”
“I’m in,” Gabby said before she, Ryan and Vince turned to Devon.
“I’d love a mimosa,” she told them. “Our morning has been awesome and deserves to be topped off with a cocktail and a toast.”
“Hear, hear,” Ryan said, motioning for the server, then ordering their drinks.
Devon glanced around the table and smiled softly, overcome by a sweet sense of satisfaction. Just a few months ago, she’d been sitting in her stuffy little apartment in Indiana, dreaming of moments like this. And now here she was, watching everything she’d been wishing for beginning to unfold.
Chapter Twelve
“I cannot figure this out!” Boom.
Devon jumped at what sounded like a fist banging against a desk. She tiptoed toward Lena’s office door, holding her ear up to it before knocking. The fact that the door was even closed, especially on a Monday morning, wasn’t a good sign. Usually the writers were in and out of there nonstop before the weekly meeting. But today the entire area looked like a ghost town.
“Uh-oh,” Devon muttered as her cell phone vibrated in her back pocket. She pulled it out and saw a text from Lena flash across the screen.
Pls pick up an extra-large coffee with three shots of espresso for me ASAP.
“Yep. Something’s definitely up,” Devon sighed.
She ran across the street and bolted through the doors of Drink Up Café. The line of antsy patrons was wrapped around the counter. Devon threw her favorite barista Hillary a look of terror.
“Mobile order for Devon!” Hillary suddenly called out.
Devon rushed past the line and over to her.
“Girl, you’re a lifesaver. Thank you! Lena’s in a foul mood and wants an extra-large coffee with three shots of espresso, pronto!”
“Not a problem. Coming right up.”
Devon checked her phone again while she waited, relieved that no new messages had come through and hoping Lena’s angst wasn’t work related.
“Here you go,” Hillary said, handing her the jumbo cup of coffee. “Hope everything works out okay.”
“Thanks so much. I appreciate it!”
Devon dashed out the door.
When she got back to work, there was a group of writers standing outside of Lena’s office, talking over one another while frantically paging through the script. Ryan hurried over as soon as he saw her.
“What is going on?” she asked him.
Ryan let out a frustrated moan and gripped the sides of his face. “The executive producer met with Lena this morning. She hates the final scene of the script and wants it completely rewritten.”
“Oh no. I’d better get this coffee to her and see if she needs anything else.”
“Yeah, you’d better.” Ryan’s lips twisted as he stared down at his feet.
Devon watched him for a few seconds, then gasped.
“Wait! Does this mean that the scene where your character lands the lead role in the horror movie is being cut?”
“That’s exactly what it means. I guess the EP doesn’t want to see my character grow. Maybe she wants him to continue being a struggling loser throughout season two, just like he was in season one.”
“Oh, Ryan. I’m so sorry. I wish there was something I could do…”
“There is. Get that coffee to Lena before she bites your head off,” he replied, cracking a half-hearted smile.
“Good idea,” Devon said, feeling herself wanting to stay there and console Ryan. “We’ll talk later?”
“Definitely. I’ll probably need a shoulder to cry on. Thanks for listening.”
“Anytime.”
Devon hurried over to Lena’s office and knocked lightly on the door. Her stomach churned as she wondered what she’d face on the other side.
“Come in!” Lena barked.
Devon took a deep breath and opened door.
“Hi. I, uh…I’ve got your coffee.”
“Thanks,” Lena grunted, her eyes glued to her laptop.
Devon stood there for a couple of seconds. When Lena didn’t invite her in, she tiptoed over to the desk and set her coffee down.
“Is everything okay?” she asked, despite already knowing the answer.
“Nope. Things couldn’t be further from okay.”
Just as Devon slowly began backing away, Lena looked up at her through tired, puffy eyes.
“Close the door.”
“Of course.” Devon turned and walked out of the office, closing the door behind her. Right before it shut completely, Lena banged her fist against the desk.
“Dev!” she called out.
Devon quickly swung the door open. “Yes?”
“I want you to close the door, stay in my office and have a seat.”
“Oh! I’m so sorry. I thought you—”
When Lena held her hand up, Devon immediately shut up.
“No worries,” Lena continued. “Listen, I know you’ve probably heard what’s going on with this script by now. I need a different ending, and I need it before the ten o’clock meeting because the EP is going to be there.”
Devon discreetly glanced down at her watch. It was already a littl
e after nine.
“I’ve already met with the writers,” Lena told her, slamming her body against the back of her chair and staring up at the ceiling. “None of them have a clue as to how we can fix this. We all loved your idea of Ryan getting the lead role in the horror film. That storyline was going to set his character arc for the rest of the season. And now this mess…”
The feeling of defeat punched Devon square in the chest. Her shining moment had been extinguished just that fast. And she couldn’t help but feel as though she’d let Ryan down.
Lena looked at Devon, the corners of her eyes dampening. “I know there’s no crying in baseball or show business or whatever, but I’m about to have a nervous breakdown. This is no way to start the season. Not to mention I have bills to pay and need my job.”
Devon’s legs began to shake as she bit her thumbnail, contemplating all the ideas that were swirling through her mind.
Help her fix this, help her fix this, she thought to herself before looking up at Lena.
“What is it about the ending that the EP doesn’t like?” she asked, thinking that in order to come up with a solution, she needed to understand the problem.
“Charlie can just be…difficult sometimes. She loves a struggle. Ryan’s character Travis hustled all last season and didn’t land one role. But because Ryan’s the breakout star of Here to Stay, we all felt that it was time for his character to get a win. Landing the lead in the horror film would’ve been poetic justice for Travis. But Charlie seems to want to see him fail, yet again.”
Devon winced when Lena slammed her laptop shut. Say something…anything, she told herself before speaking up.
“I personally think getting the part was a natural transition for Ryan’s character. But it sounds like Charlie has him typecast.” After the words came out of her mouth, Devon held her breath, hoping she hadn’t gone too far in criticizing the executive producer.
“That’s it exactly!” Lena yelled, pointing at Devon from across her desk. “Charlie’s typecast Ryan’s character and can’t see past his tribulations. But we all think it’s time for him to move beyond the hustle and start exploring his acting journey. So how do we manage that? How do we appease everybody?”
She Gets What She Wants Page 9
