Stand up straight!she’d scold.What are you? Eleven? You want Iris to skulk around like that? Set a good example for God’s sake.
I close my eyes. That grin. That shrug. That skinny frame. I can still see them.
“Did you eat something tonight?” Moira’s question shatters the images.
“Hmm?” I blink my eyes open, lost for a moment in this unfamiliar place.
Hospital. I’m at a hospital.
“Did. You. Eat?” Impatience firms each word.
“Oh.” I remember the protein bar and the junkie. I clear my throat. “I brought a protein bar.”
“Good,” she says. “Remember, nothing after seven-thirty.”
I check my smart watch: 7:26. Oh, well. I guess I’m not eating until tomorrow.
I’m hungry, but suddenly I’m also exhausted. So exhausted.
“I’ll remember,” I mutter. “I’ll just check on Mr. Hebert and head home. It’ll be an early night.”
“Good,” she says again, and this time she sounds pleased. Moira approves when I turn in early—unless there’s an A-list event for the evening. And then I’m up until all hours—drinking sparkling water with lemon, lime, or if I’m lucky, a strawberry. Because rules. No food after seven-thirty and, of course, no alcohol.
“‘Night, then, Moira. I’ll see you on-set tomorrow.”
“Text me when you get back to the house.”
“I will.”
The house. My rental. My oasis. My own. When I turned nineteen, I insisted that I needed my own place. I’d just nailed the role as Raven Blackwell, and I was making enough money to change my lifestyle. And I knew if I was going to stay sane while I balanced a hectic rehearsal and filming schedule, do cardio and strength training on the regular, and have anything resembling a life, I needed Moira and me to live under separate roofs.
At first, she didn’t like the idea. And then I found us two separate condos in the same complex in Silver Lake. She did like the condo. Hers was a one-bedroom on the east side of the complex, mine a two—all the way over on the west side. And I sweetened the deal by putting her lease in her contract.
And then I got Mica—my Shetland Sheepdog-Blue Heeler mix.
Moira is allergic to dogs and cats. And, okay, yes, maybe I knew that before I got a Sheltie-mix, a breed that sheds plenty and isn’t recommended for people with allergies. But I love Mica with my heart and soul. And I’m thankful every day that he sheds loads.
So when we’re in L.A. even though Moira and I were practically neighbors, she never comes over because the last thing she wants is itchy eyes, a red nose, and post-nasal drip.
Good boy, Mica.
Now that we’re here, Moira has taken a suite at The Juliet, a little boutique hotel downtown. It’s close to our main studio and even a few of the outdoor locations. But Mica, Ramon, Sally, and I are renting the cutest three bedroom bungalow near downtown on Cherry Street. It even has a yard, which Mica loves. He especially worships the oak trees that are home to about a half-dozen squirrels he likes to chase.
The house is just adorable. I’ve never lived in anything so homey. The thought of kicking off my sandals and sitting on the wide porch swing with Mica at my feet and Ramon and Sally on matching wicker rockers—close to each other, but not too close—helps my shoulders to descend from up around my ears.
“And don’t you dare sign anything or agree to pay for anything before I have a chance to go over it, understand?” Her snarl decimates the moment of peace the image of the house gave me.
I sigh. “I won’t.” All of the exhaustion, all of the guilt comes rushing back.
Moira disconnects without another word, and I take my phone from my ear and press it to the spot between my eyebrows where I’m sure my skull is about to split open. I squeeze my eyes tight and hold back the scream that threatens to break free with it.
“You okay?”
I know the voice even before I open my eyes. And so when I do open them, it’s with a wince. Beau Landry stands before me wearing a look of suspicion.
I can act. In fact, I’m good at it, and I really, really like it. I can slip into a character as easily as most people try on shoes.
And, yes, I could play the part of a carefree twenty-two-year-old with nothing to do but handout smiles.
