Total pages in book: 67
Estimated words: 67510 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 338(@200wpm)___ 270(@250wpm)___ 225(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 67510 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 338(@200wpm)___ 270(@250wpm)___ 225(@300wpm)
It wasn’t just my career that I provided for, and I took that very seriously.
The only time I could let loose and try to act like a normal twenty-five-year-old was exclusive, low-key parties like the one we were currently attending. Phones were taken at the door, and thank goodness for that.
I didn’t have to worry about someone snapping a picture or video of me that would go viral on social media or be sold to the press for a shit ton of money. I couldn’t tell you which one was worse. Both included me as front-page news, which was why I had to protect my image at all costs.
“Good.” Alexis smiled, bringing me back to the present. “I hope he’s regretting letting the best thing that ever happened to him go.”
I smirked, shaking my head. “You broke up with him.”
“Yeah,” she confidently admitted. “And he didn’t fight for me.”
I loved her certainty on who she was and what she deserved. Alexis didn’t give a shit about what anyone thought about her, but she didn’t have to. She was a high-end model, living in the fast lane lifestyle expected with that title. The woman constantly traveled for runway shows and campaigns from LA to Timbuktu. Her schedule was packed with jobs, and her socializing at events was what she did best and how she found endless work.
This town was also nothing but connections. It was all about who you knew and, in some cases, who you blew. The casting couch wasn’t a thing of the past. They were just better at hiding it now. Everyone wanted a piece of you, and it was hard to distinguish the good from the bad.
One of the best things about Alexis was that she wasn’t a cunt, and yes, I used that word. Finding a friend like her was extremely hard to come across in this industry. Along with being used and everyone seeing you as a threat or competition to their own careers, it was rare to have a friendship like ours.
I’d been sitting in that number-one spot of highest-paid and in-demand actress for years. It was only a matter of time before I was knocked off that pedestal, and I wasn’t dumb enough to believe anything different.
Everyone had an expiration date in this town, and sadly, it was run on youth. Some had been able to gracefully age into the industry, and all I could do was hope that my IMBd would eventually speak for itself. Every step I took was precise and calculated by my team and me to maintain at the top. I wouldn’t go down without a fight. I worked too hard to get there and had no plans of dropping the ball anytime soon.
My circle was small, and I preferred it that way.
Answering Alexis’s question, I glanced back at James. “If the expression on his face is any indication, then he’s more than regretting it.”
“Do you think this dress”—she gestured to herself—“is getting his dick hard?”
I giggled. “I think your dress is getting every guy here hard.”
“Fabulous.” She beamed, whipping back her long blond hair. “It was the vibe I was going for.”
We were at a Hollywood Hills party with A-list guests only. I was dressed more low-key than her, always wanting to keep a low profile no matter where I went. Unless it was an award show or an appearance and then I was dressed in nothing but couture, designed specifically for me to wear.
I was in a high-waisted nude pencil skirt with a tight black crop top and nude ankle pumps with red bottoms. I left my wavy brown hair down, framing my high cheekbones, and went heavy on the black eye makeup with a bit of blush and vanilla lip gloss.
For the next hour, I sipped some champagne with Alexis by the pool overlooking the LA lights and stars. When I needed to clear my head, I’d go up Mulholland Drive and sit on the hood of my car for hours on end. I’d get lost in the city of dreams and loved every second of it. I was constantly working on one thing or another, and it was nice to have a place I could escape to where nobody demanded something from me.
“Hiiiiii...” Alexis greeted, walking over to someone I didn’t care for.
I internally rolled my eyes as I abruptly turned around and slammed face-first into a solid muscular chest that felt like a brick wall while my drink spilled all over the front of my outfit.
“Shit,” a deep voice spewed as I leaned forward from the cold champagne assaulting my warm skin.
“Ugh!” I grumbled, not paying any mind to the man I crashed into before I rushed toward the first bathroom I could find.
“Hey!” he called out behind me, following me into the bathroom. “Let me help you.”