Spin Control by Holly O'Dell Page A

would change."
    "Don't you see? He is interested in you!" I could
sense Anna's exasperation with me. "That's it, I'm getting some more details on him from Miranda"
    "No!"
    "Why so adamant?" Anna raised a suspicious eyebrow.
    "Why get her involved? My theory is that those two
have something going on on the side, and besides, I
need to learn to deal with this Michael thing on my
own, since if we nail this Devin thing, we're going to be
working together for a long time."
    "First of all, I highly doubt those two have anything
going on between them. She talks about him like a
friend, not someone she's dating. Second of all, quit
being so darn stubborn and just accept my help. What
harm is there in talking to Miranda?"
    "Gee, I don't know, it could make things even more
awkward between me and Michael, if that's even possible? Thanks for the offer, hon, but I'll just handle it on
my own."
    "Not even the slightest bit interested in him?" Anna squeaked in a small voice, moving together her forefinger and thumb.

    "I can't believe we're still talking about this. You're
the one who has the big news going on. I feel like we
haven't talked in ages, now that you have to report to a
movie set every day"
    "I am busier than I could have ever imagined."
    "Good busy or bad busy?"
    "Great busy! I don't get to hang out much on the set,
and when I do, it's just for touch-ups, but the eye candy
doesn't hurt. Mmm-hmm" Anna licked her lips.
    "All right, who is he?"
    "Let's just say that a certain Andrew Trotter has requested me as his personal makeup artist."
    I gave a blank stare, and Anna laughed. "Holy cow,
Kate, you really are clueless! I'm amazed at how you can
work in PR and not know who these famous actors are"
    "I have never heard of this guy in my life."
    "So I might have exaggerated a titch when I called
him famous." Anna shrugged. "He was on some daytime soap for a year, and this is his first movie. He's doing a supporting role in the film. I can't believe he didn't
get his big break until now. Whew. Is he good looking."
    "Perfect. You go to work, you have the promise of
hooking up with a hottie. Karma is on your side. I'm
happy for you, really, I am. And by the way, can we
slow it down a bit? We're practically running. And you
know I won't run even if I'm being chased."
    "I can't help it! Thinking of Andrew must have just
gotten me going. I just have to take care of the Tommy
thing."

    "You're still stringing him along?" I almost felt bad
for the guys Anna dated; I sometimes thought I empathized more with them than with her.
    "Oh, he'll be fine. You want to date him?"
    "No, thanks, what with the publicity makeover of my
ex-boyfriend and fending off affronts from my
coworker, I'm plenty occupied. So, when can you take
your soul-cleansing trip?"
    "That's the problem. No time with this schedule on
the set."
    "Oh, is that going to be acceptable to break ritual?" I
teased.
    "Maybe Andrew can be my soul-cleansing trip this
time around, if you know what I mean."
    "How do you just hop from guy to guy? Teach me,
oh wise one"
    "I've tried!" Anna was almost indignant. "But you
want no part of it. I still think if you and Michael got
your feelings out there, things would be much better between you two."
    "Oy, why do you keep bringing him up?"
    "In all seriousness, I think he might have a thing for
you."
    "Again, why do you keep bringing him-this-us
up?"
    "I want what any girl wants for her best friend ...
her happiness."
    "Are you going to give me your philosophical speech
again about what it means to be happy?"
    Anna squinted. "Come on, now, that's not fair."

    A twinge of guilt nudged me. "You're right, I might
be a little on the testy side lately."
    "I can't blame you," Anna replied sympathetically.
"You have a lot of pressure going on in your life, what
with an ex-boyfriend and a new boyfriend."
    "Ack, quit pushing my buttons!"
    "But it's so much fun." Anna girlishly skipped. "For
real, anything new with