Sophie's Playboy by Natalie J. Damschroder Page A

gratefully followed her out of the studio, waving goodbye to Parker over her shoulder. When they were safely outside and Parker hadn't followed, Sophie let her breath out.
    "Thank you. He was going to ask me to dinner and I was going to say yes."
    "And that would be bad because...?" Melina slung her oversize tote bag over her right shoulder and examined Sophie over her left.
    "Because I don't want him."
    Melina hooted. "Yes, it's very clear how much you don't want him. Sorry, darling, it's written all over your face."
    Sophie grimaced. "I hope he doesn't see it."
    "I doubt it. It's all over his, too."
    They turned the corner at the end of the block and Melina gestured to an Indian restaurant. Sophie nodded and they crossed the street.
    "Personally, I think it is wonderful. You two have a flammability that is fun to watch."
    Sophie eyed her. "If you think it's so great, why did you rescue me tonight?"
    Melina laughed. "It is also good to keep men guessing. A challenge makes them appreciate what they get when they finally get it." She pulled open the door and they entered the restaurant.
    The aroma of exotic spices permeated the air and Sophie's stomach growled. She followed Melina to a table where a waitress immediately took their order. As soon as she left, 86
    Sophie's Playboy
    by Natalie Damschroder
    they headed for the buffet. They filled their plates and retreated to their table.
    "Give me your honest opinion," Sophie said. "Is the show improving or are we patching a leaky tire?"
    Melina chuckled at her analogy. "It is most definitely improving. The ratings will be out next week. Then we'll see."
    Sophie looked at the spicy food on her plate and suddenly didn't want to add it to what she'd already eaten. "What will happen if they're not great? Will they cancel the show?"
    Melina shook her head as she swallowed. "Decisions are not made only by ratings. Advertising dollars are more important overall. Good ratings will help us get more advert, but we're doing okay so far." She wiped her fingers on her napkin. "In fact, I just got a schedule to go over in tomorrow's meeting."
    Sophie perked up. "What kind of schedule?"
    "Supplementals. You have three solo ads to tape this week, then two with Parker."
    "Already?" Sophie pictured the little production booth and her heart rate increased. "Will both of us fit in there?" She flinched as soon as she heard the words.
    Melina winked. "Quite comfortably. You also have your first live action broadcast."
    Sophie grinned. "Really? A live action broadcast? Stevie said it would take months to be requested for those."
    "Apparently the new independent movie house thinks you and Parker are a contemporary Hepburn and Tracy. They want you to host the opening of their festival at the end of the month." Melina put the schedule back into her bag. "Now, 87
    Sophie's Playboy
    by Natalie Damschroder
    explain why you have this hangup about dating someone you work with. Why you don't want the delectable Mr. Cornwall."
    Sophie toyed with her curry and nibbled a slice of naan.
    She owed Melina an explanation after she'd rescued her. But she didn't know if she could articulate it.
    Well, the hangup was easy to explain. She'd start there.
    "When I had been working at MMT for about four months, one of the owners asked me out. Chuck and I hit it off, but only in a platonic way. We kind of filled the gap for each other when neither of us had a significant other." She crooked her lips in a wistful smile. They had been good friends back then, supporting each other in the face of a terrifying future.
    "Unfortunately, when I got promoted to customer service manager, there were some jealous people who spread the word that I only got it because I was sleeping with the boss."
    "Were you?"
    "No! Ick." Chuck had never interested her that way. And in truth, she'd been too intellectual for him. "We just enjoyed each other's company. Chuck and Dave were best friends, but there was so much tension in the early days of the