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"I’ to be the duck that turns into the swan My foot will never fit the slipper It’s never going to be all lights and ca to care who I a to happen Not for hts, and oh yes, the cameras It wasn’t what she wanted It wasn’t what anyone wanted, not really

She wished she could trade him--a forty-ninth birthday and a husband asn’t Charles--it see But then would she want that either? A life of wanting to be wanted and never being seen? Of desiring gla anonyle, the way shadows bleed into one another, the way ghosts bleed into shadows

But he is neither ghost nor shadow Not yet

He stares at the ceiling His eyelids drift down A blink, and then a second He will fall asleep soon

Diana swies

Maria V Snyder

Monday

Evelyn’s brain cells had declared war inside her skull The right side of her brain attacked the left with mortars and heavy artillery, while the left responded with bo Island Ice Tea? Because she had already drunk two and logic and reason had left her to photocopy their asses

Meed to the publisher of Vackra ly to beautiful? And then make a bet with the woman? God, she hoped not

And as the idiot who had scheduled a party on a Sunday night? She rested her forehead on her desk as ed Without checking the security camera, she buzzed the door open Evelyn rolled her head to the side and watched Vincenza, her h a curtain of blond hair The tall Italian woman sported the latest European fashions Even her nickname--Vee was trendy

Vee spotted her "What happened?"

"Too h sense"

"I knew I should have stayed last night" She tsked ‘‘Not to worry I’llway toosounded and Evelyn’s assistant--a bundle of energy contained in hu and too inexperienced, but she hip sin, tequila, rum, and triple sec fumes, courtesy of our boss lady," Vee said

‘‘Oh" She crinkled her nose ‘‘Do you wantthe cover for Glam More" It had taken Evelyn two azine’s deadline was loo

Another time limit popped unbidden into her mind Produce a beautiful photo for me in one week If you can not, then you are mine Camilla D Quinton’s liquid voice sounded in her head Maybe Caet all about the bet She snorted Not Camilla, otherwise known as the Demon Queen She had not only earned that reputation, but eone to that party was to meet her One of Camilla’s rare public appearances, and Evelyn had hoped to impress the woman and be offered a cover shoot for Vackra But Ca freelancers re in house

Evelyn raised her head, causing another brain cell salvo "I’ll need my Nikon with the fifty millimeter lens, the white backdrop, and two strobes," she said to Olivia

As the girl hurried to set up the equip of"What the hell is this? It se cheese"

‘‘Drink it, you’ll feel better"

She cringed at the taste, but kept sipping until Vee appeared satisfied The model for the photo shoot arrived in a fit of tears over her blotchy skin Vee whisked the girl back to the dressing room It didn’t matter how horrible the model’s skin tone, hair, or shape ith Vee and Evelyn’s expertise, her photo would show a gorgeous young woman

Evelyn admitted to a certain amount of confidence After all, she had the best reputation in the business, and it hadn’t occurred overnight She committed years, sacrificed her social life, and worked hard Seven years later, she owned a studio and loft in the heart of Manhattan Still, she shouldn’t have e

Vee returned with a now radiantsteadier, Evelyn picked up her caht of the Nikon in her hand was like a caffeine fix Dis her worries about the party, Evelyn concentrated on her work

After her last Monday client left, Evelyn uploaded the day’s photos to her co pictures was only the first half of the job She scanned the shots and didn’t look up when Olivia chirped a good bye or when Vee ad