The phone buzzed again, this time with a text message alert. I scowled at the name on the screen. Mike.
Morning, Kiddo. Back from Berlin. Scheduled 4 photo shoots till 3. Call me when u r up. TC.
Sniffling, I tapped the dial icon and placed the phone on my ear, expecting voicemail.
“Carolina, how’re you doing?” Mike answered, his voice cheerful. “Why are you up so early?”
My heart thudded. The way his Italian accent popped as his rugged voice said my middle name warmed my cheeks. “Um… I haven’t slept yet.” I ran a finger across my eyebrow. “What’re you doing answering your phone? I thought they were getting you dolled up for pictures.”
He laughed. “They will…in thirty minutes.”
“Okay. How was Berlin?”
“Was all right. Shoot. Promote. Fest. Same old stuff. Anyway, what’s up with you, Kiddo?”
I hated it when he called me that. “I’m not a fucking Kiddo.”
He chuckled. “Missed your potty mouth.”
I rolled my eyes. “Really?”
His laughter continued. “No, not really.” He paused for a couple of seconds. “But I sure missed you.”
“I missed you too, Superstar.”
“So what are you up to?”
I took a long breath. “Guess what? One of my short pieces of shit has just won an award.”