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Chapter One

NINA

Music played from the speakers of my car, but cut off abruptly

At least, I thought it did It was hard to focus The engine wasn’t running now, because my keys were clenched inbeyond my windshield

The single story building was s the roof, and the aluh the cracks in the broken sidewalk, but otherwise the place was in good shape The sign on the glass doors had a logo and hours The studio looked professional enough, much like any other office business How many people knehat really went on behind those doors?

Deep breath You can do this

I taot out of my car I had to lock it with the key because the car enty years old Hell, the piece of shit was almost as old as me, but I shouldn’t complain It still ran, and it was free Well, except for the bottle of coolant I had to put in it once a week I couldn’t afford to get the slow leak repaired Thankfully, it had o without an issue

It was difficult to s my breaths as I teetered on my unaccustomed heels toward the studio God, I needed a drink to cale step forward and one that couldn’t be undone The internet s forever

I placed a sweaty palm on the bar across the door and pushed it open

The wo eyes peered directly into otten last week, the spray tan, and the acrylic nails I’d done all I could to make myself look the part

Nina Hale, ready for stardom

The office e board with schedules written on it hanging on the back wall, and headshots pinned beside it Co was businesslike, even down to the desk clutter

The skinny woman, who looked to be in her late forties, had brown hair with bangs, and just the right amount of makeup to look trashy-hot Her red lips pulled back into a suarded

“Are you Nina?”

I forced a warm, friendly smile “Yeah”