Acting coy.
Michael was caught off guard.
He never imagined he’d use those words to describe Marina.
“Michael, stop just staring at me!”
Marina tugged at his sleeve, her voice soft and playful.
Snapping back to reality, Michael countered, “I know Miranda. What do you need?”
“I was hoping Miranda could take a photo of me too. I want to be featured in the magazine… Do you think that’s possible?”
The more Marina spoke, the less confident she sounded.
She was doing it on purpose.
She knew Michael had a soft spot for women who played vulnerable.
“Why not ask Jonathan for help?”
Marina’s head shot up, surprise flickering across her face.
Something about Michael felt different these days.
He used to never question her like this. Back then, if she wanted something–anything–he would jump in, no questions asked, always eager to help. “I… I just wanted to rely on you this time. Is that so wrong?”
She blinked up at him with those big, dewy eyes.
“Of course not.”
When Michael finally relented, Marina let out a silent sigh of relief.
She hadn’t gone to Jonathan this time because she already had–once. He’d introduced her to Miranda, but Miranda hadn’t thought much of her.
If she went back to Jonathan again, it would be obvious she couldn’t stand that Niamh was the only one getting the spotlight. Worse, Jonathan would see her as not only less talented than Niamh, but also a sore loser.
So she turned to Michael instead. If she managed to land a feature in *Shine* too, Niamh wouldn’t seem special in Jonathan’s eyes anymore.
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Chapter 271
True to his word, Michael went to talk to Miranda right away.
Marina had no idea what Michael said, but soon enough, one of Miranda’s makeup artists approached her to start her styling.
Meanwhile, as Niamh stepped out of the dressing room, Jonathan emerged from
the other side.
Their eyes met.
Niamh noticed that Jonathan’s outfit matched her new look–they were dressed like a couple.
Since the *Shine* magazine shoot was all under Miranda’s direction, Niamh didn’t say anything.
The photographers and videographers had them pose together, each shot more intimate than the last.
When the shoot wrapped, Niamh hesitated, then found herself asking Jonathan, “How’s your arm?”
Jonathan looked at her, a little surprised.
Niamh was wearing a bold, dramatic makeup look–something Jonathan usually hated. Yet, somehow, it didn’t look garish on her. In fact, she looked striking, almost high–fashion.
“Miranda’s makeup team is really talented,” he said out of nowhere.
Niamh blinked, momentarily thrown off by the non sequitur.
“My arm’s much better. Thanks to you taking care of it so quickly.”
“Did you… end up getting it checked out at the hospital?”
Jonathan gave a soft laugh.
“You’re awfully concerned about me. I’m flattered.”
That was when Niamh realized she’d crossed a line. With their divorce looming, her concern was hardly appropriate anymore.
At that moment, Marina strutted out of the dressing room, head high and shoulders back.
As she passed, she shot Niamh a smug, triumphant glance that said: See? I’m getting my magazine shoot too.
Chapter 27
Niamh just shrugged.
She knew being featured in *Shine* was a big deal, but she didn’t see the point in bragging about it.
Jonathan had to stick around for Marina’s shoot, so Niamh left the studio on her
own.
Michael offered to take her out for dinner.
Niamh agreed, but only if Quentin could come along.
So the three of them–Niamh, Quentin, and Michael–had dinner together, then spent the evening exploring the sights nearby.
Back at the studio, Jonathan waited patiently while Marina finished her shoot, her look crafted by one of Miranda’s own stylists.
