Carmen looked at Helena who sat amazed and wide-eyed.  “Well, Andrew,” Carmen started, attempting to appear nonchalant.  “I represent myself.  I don’t have an agent or a manager.  You’re company doesn’t provide the PR?”

Andrew cleared his throat.  “In a sense, yes.  We work together with the artist’s lawyer and agent or manager to come up with a marketing strategy that will best showcase the talent and persona of the artist.”

“Well, if I’m going to sign on with Ultra, I’ll need a recommendation on who are the best entertainment lawyers and agents—and affordable too,” Carmen smiled trying to hide her excitement.

“I can definitely recommend a list of adequate lawyers.  As for the agent, we could assign one of our own to you until you found your own representation.  But….” Andrew stopped and looked curiously at Helena. “Helena…aren’t you in PR?  I thought I remember reading something about your involvement in your family’s foundation.”

“Well, I…I dabbled in public relations.  I mean, obviously so much of running the foundation, as well as the movie studio, involved that type of work, but—“

“Movie studio?  When did you run a movie studio?”

“Oh.  Um, actually, that’s currently where I am.  Shaolin-Peabody…well, just Shaolin now,” she trailed off.

“Helena!  With your connections and experience, you’d be perfect for Carmen’s agent!”

Helena began to laugh—a little too boisterously, Carmen thought.  It actually wasn’t such a bad idea.  They were already roommates, so working together could definitely benefit both of them.  Carmen’s mind was overwhelmed with ideas on how she and Helena could really crush the indy electronic circuit.  Soon, those thoughts became images of her and Helena together as a couple,  living together, working together, sleeping together…

Ahh!  Carmen screamed at herself.  Stop thinking like that!  Helena probably won’t even want to do this.  She’ll get sick of you and then what?

“Helena, please think it over and let me know.  You have my number,” Andrew urged as they were all leaving.

“Ok, I’ll let you know,” she said reluctantly.  She was compelled to tell him then and there that she was simply not interested.  After all, this was Carmen’s gig and she should choose someone for herself.  She didn’t want to impose on her and her career.  Carmen might not want to work with her on top of living with her already.  There was such a thing as too much of a good thing.  Just as she didn’t want her romantic feelings for Carmen to get in the way of their friendship, she didn’t want their rapport to diminish because of any potential professional entanglements.

As they made their way toward Helena’s car, Carmen spoke up.  “Helena, I don’t want you to feel obligated to take this on.  I mean, I would love to work with you.  I think you’d be great, but don’t do it unless you absolutely want to.”  Carmen was so excited and nervous that her heart had begun to beat faster and she began talking a mile a minute.

Helena hadn’t been expecting this reaction.  If Carmen was serious and really did want to work with her, she could think of no reason to turn down the offer.  She stopped, just shy of her parked car and turned to Carmen.  “If you’re telling the truth, and do want to try working with me—“

“I am! I do!” Carmen said, trying to calm herself down.

“Ok, then.  How can I say no?”

The two hugged to seal the deal, each more excited than they were willing to show.