Page 49 of The Billionaire's Destiny

The sound of The Platters’ “Only You” played from somewhere in the room, and I quickly realized it was a ringtone from my new phone. Memories of dancing with Rocco that night at our announcement party brought on a wave of nostalgia and a sense of loneliness. I had been so alone in my life at that time, but then came Rocco, pushing Mama’s buttons. We argued in the car. Crazy.But then he went down on me for my first time.

I grinned and checked the caller. Cass!“Hello, gorgeous.”

“Did you ask Rocco to give me a role in a movie?” she blurted.

I stopped walking. “No, I haven’t, but I will if you want me to. I just thought you were busy with law school.”

Cass sighed heavily down the line. “Good. Then it’s real. Oh, my God.”

She let out a scream, and I held the phone away from my ear and laughed. “What’s going on? Tell me so I can scream, too.”

“My agent contacted me and said there’s been lots of buzz since we attended the premiere together.”

I put the phone on speaker and put on a new tracksuit. “You’ve become an ‘it girl,’ gorgeous.”

“Become? I’ve been one forever. But seriously, we both thought it was the new styling Isla gave me for the event. I want to steal her, but she told me she’s building her own agency.”

“I can definitely see that. She’s the best.” Cass had received a lot of attention, and I had saved many photos of her from the event. However, Isla was so much more than a stylist; she managed many jobs simultaneously and seamlessly.

Ding.The doorbell?

“Someone’s at the door.” I remembered that Rocco had ordered dinner for me. “Back in a sec.” I opened the door, and a host was there with a cart.

“Where would you like it, Mrs. Marini?”

“The…dining room?” I said and followed after her to the room. There was a six-seater place setting. She set up my food, then waited. “Do I need to sign?” I asked.

“Yes.” She handed me a tablet, and I signed. Then, I thanked her as I closed the door.

“That was dinner,” I said, returning to the call.

“Look at you, handling things like a pro.”

I laughed. “I’ve stayed in a hotel before, you know.” A warm memory bubbled up: Mama, Jacob, and me celebrating her birthday in a hotel I’d saved up for. We had ordered room service and laughed until our sides hurt.

“I miss you, gorgeous,” Cass said. “Oh, I haven’t told you the news.”

I sat down at the table and put her on speaker. “Please tell me before I combust.”

“Okay, long story short, I have a small role in a major film.”

“Woo-hoo!” I let out a cheer and fist-pumped the air. “Yay. Tell me everything.”

Cass laughed. “It’s a sci-fi movie. I’ll play a robot and a hologram in a dystopian future caste society. The crazy part is that I’ll have to go film in Iceland in like a month.”

“I love this for you, but what about law school?”

“I’ve been going through the motions. Not as invested, but I have good grades. I’ve put in for a leave of absence—”

“But I thought they didn’t do that at Harvard,” I pointed out.

“I put in for one anyway. If I get rejected, I’ll transfer to L.A. Chances like this don’t come every day. This could be my big break.” There was no more joking in her tone. I’d seen her for years trying to balance her love for acting with trying to earn her degree. Her parents had insisted she have a backup, mainly because most couldn’t make acting a career. But Cass was talented, and I believed in her.

“I’m a hundred percent behind you, and you know it. It’s what you always wanted. I don’t see any reason not to go for it.”

“Look at us. Going for our dreams. You’re a big-time illustrator. I’m so excited. Mom and Dad are bragging about you all over California.”

“Really?”