[Gina: Make sure the video’s edited well—play it on the big deck screen during the birthday.]
[Ali: Get some close-ups of her losing it. Big, dramatic breakdown shots.]
[Cyrus: Jimmy, why so quiet? Don’t tell me you’re catching feelings?]
No passcode. My hands trembled as I opened the gallery and found the video. I deleted every last copy.
Just then, I heard his footsteps coming back down the hall. I shot up and ran to the kitchen.
“Nessie, I think I left my phone…” he called out.
I took a deep breath, steadying myself.
“Did you?” I said calmly—so calm, it surprised even me. “Then you’d better find it.”
“I found it!” Jimmy waved his phone as he walked to the kitchen door. All of the sudden, he furrowed his brow. “Why do you look so pale?”
“Probably lack of sleep lately,” I turned away, “You know, you should get going to your job. Don’t be late.”
After I heard the door close, tears began to fall.
***
The next day, I went to resign my job at the bar. My boss asked me to work one last shift. However, the moment I opened the door to a VIP room, my steps froze.