glass of the motel window did absolutely nothing to block the noise. The sound vibrated right through her skull, ma

to her face. The icy shock forced her nervous system awake. She gripped the edges of the cracked porcelain sink and star

ison gates. It was still damp from last night's snow, but it was all she had. She shook it out, slipped her arms into the sle

aust fumes and hot asphalt. She shoved her bare hands deep into the pockets of her jacket, hunching her shoulders against the biting cold as she

ng bacon hit her nose. Her stomach violently contracted, letting out a loud, painful rumble. She slowed her pace, her mouth

minimum-wage job postings, her eyes straining to read the tiny text while occasionally glancing up at the familiar agency logos on th

oulder. The physical impact knocked Fiona off balance. The large paper cup in his hand crushed in

the thin fabric, burning the skin of her chest. The man dropped his folders, frantically pulli

his eyes locked onto hers, he froze completely. The handkerchief sl

ut, the sound laced wi

rimmed glasses. It was Julian Thorne. Three years ago, he had been the most ruthless, brilliant talent agent i

tight, desperate. His eyes quickly scanned her pale face, the dark bags

for the last three years?" h

ht of their curious eyes made her skin prickle. She gave Julian a tight, humorless smile,

forced them to sit close. Julian immediately flagged down a waitress and ordered a large pot of

oints. Taking a slow, deep breath, she looked Julian in the eye and told him everything. She told him about the car cras

able with brutal force. The table shook, and hot coffee sloshed over the rims of their mugs,

overed in tiny, healing cuts. He remembered how those hands used to hold golden trophies.

k, matte-black business card and slid it across the table. He leaned

cy. I started my own indep

, his gaze inten

k. I want you to return

ectricity. Her heart slammed against her ribs,

e wet, sticky coffee stain on her jacket. The heavy w

onvicted felon. I am completely

ing her space. He crossed his arms, slipping

out money. Your scandal gives you an edge, a dark

currently obsessed with raw, gritty realism. They didn't want polished princesses anymore. They wante

lls flashed in her mind. The crushing weight of her financial desperation collided with J

the coffee stain. The dead look in her eyes vanished

casting room?" she demanded, l

nto his leather briefcase and pulled out a thin, bound script. He s

riller, casting for the f

f the cardstock sent a thrill straight up her arm. For the first time in three years, she

efully. He lowered his voic

aggressively pushing for t

name sent a violent shockw

so hard her knuckles turned white. The paper crinkled under h

of Kimberly's manicured hands

ill on the table to cover the coffee, and pulled a thick wad of cash from his

in her chest, a reflex from a past life where she relied on no one. "I

gers around it. "This isn't charity. It's a corporate advance for my new star. Conside

looming medical bills heavily outweighed her pride. She tightly gripped the cash, nodding onc

k gray clouds parted. A bright ray of winter sunlight hit her face, warming her ski