It was one week after the audition.

Camilla stood in the kitchen, drying her hands on a towel, her phone buzzed silently on the counter behind her. A new email lit up her screen—

[[STERLING AUDITION CALLBACK: Elle Rivera – Final Selection.]]

She snatched it quickly, locking her screen just as Cyrus stepped in, sleeves rolled up, fresh from a conference call.

“Smells like roasted garlic…” he sniffed, stepping behind her and wrapping his arms around her waist.

“Lasagna,” Camilla said with a smile, hiding how fast her heart was racing.

He hummed, kissing her neck. “You're spoiling me.”

“You make it easy.”

Cyrus stepped back, leaning against the counter,...