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“You knoas talking to Rog last week, and he mentioned he had landed some new comic book movie with one of the Hemsworths—can’t remember which one” She sounded breathless, and I could picture her on her stationary bike, earbuds perched precariously The woman was addicted to her workouts It had taken the place of much worse vices she had fallen victim to in the past

At the er Heiden, I feltHollywood had been the best decision I had ever uilt over bailing on Roger The plan had been for o to Romania to run the makeup departo-to artist for years, and he had opened as er, he was a decent guy, but that didn’t mean he wasn’t one to use his nas as he wanted Even if he was old enough to beit very clear what he wanted from me e first met Yet, when I declined, he took it well—unlike others I had unfortunately encountered

“What happened to ‘I’d rather die than hitchto smile but unable to

“Well, when ht?” I could hear Guis blow out a breath and knew she was ending her workout I could hear the beep fro you’re interested?”

I started pacing around my bedroom “Woah, hold up a minute I never said I was interested—”

“Co, USA You belong out here, babe We want you here Roger wants you here” Guisselle was a force to be reckoned with In so—all fiery ey Our mutual ambitions had always meshed well, and she was the reflection of my own selfish drive to accomplish more and more and more

But that way of life could drain your soul, and when everything ca down, I found the impact so much harder to bear

I could argue about my responsibilities to my family I could try and reason with Guisselle aboutso long in such a shallow, superficial world—but Guis wouldn’t understand And some days, the part of me that had so readily stripped myself of emotion and connection, didn’t understand either

“Guis, I told you I needed a break—”

“He’s in Malta,” Guisselle interrupted, and I felt instantly nauseous No I wouldn’t talk about this Not here in et about all that

Guisselle interpreted ive me the scoop I most definitely didn’t want