"Grilled fish, salad, and water isn't very rock and roll?" I take a long sip of my water. "A lot of people sacrifice a lot more for their art. Skipping coffee is the least I could do."
She takes in my expression. She's looking at me the same way I was looking at her at Danielle's studio—she's impressed by my passion and dedication.
This is the time to ask her. I set my glass on the table and stare back into Lacey's pretty brown eyes. "I want to ship that video you just cut together."
"With me in it?"
"Yeah. You're perfect in it."
"Uh…"
"You are."
"Stealing Danielle's footage and cutting it together will be the end of my job."
"It's a better job."
"It's one gig."
True. "What if it's two?"
She stares back at me. "What are you talking about?"
"I want you to shoot our next video."
She chokes on her water. "You… you're fucking with me."
"Do you really think I fuck with anyone?"
"No. But still… based on the three minutes of Hurt Me, Baby."
"Songs happen three minutes at a time." I lean back in my seat. "Three minutes is all I need."
"Really, three minutes? That's it? I would expect more from you."
"Cute."
She presses her lips together. "Mal, I… I want to. Really." Her gaze gets fuzzy, like the wheels in her head are turning. "I mean, editing a Dangerous Noise video is one thing. Directing it… that's… that's exactly the kind of thing I want to do." She bites her lip. "Fuck, I'm a terrible negotiator."
"Did I seem reluctant to part with my cash last time I made you an offer?"
"You haven't paid me yet."
"You want a check right now?"
"Later." She clears her throat. "Danielle will flip. She's a bitch, yeah, but she's been good to me."
"Has she?"
"In ways." Her voice drops to a serious tone. "I love my job."
"Every part of it?"
"Nothing is perfect. You love every part of your job?"
"Fair point." I study her expression. This isn't about the money for Lacey. Either that or she really is a terrible negotiator.
She wants that stability.