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Prologue

Julia was staying at the Ritz Always the Ritz Only the Ritz Like a lot of woant restaurant where a ed her life But instead of a Tiffany ring, Julia walked away that day with a two-book deal, and from that point on, Julia James could afford to buy her own diamonds

Five years later, Julia had climbed fourteen stories frohts of the city shone through sheer curtains onto her unadorned hands She flew quickly through a deck of cards and grew lost in the familiar motion, as her mind drifted back to the day Candon Jeffries had told her she was going to becohed at hiht and self-conscious about it, she considered herself to be a perfectly ordinary single woman But Candon had worked side by side with Julia in the trenches of the publishing world, and he knew that she didn’t sit at ho for a boyfriend to ask her to the movies She didn’t live on microwave popcorn and bad takeout Instead, Julia went to the na and chicken Kiev and never thought twice about the phone that didn’t ring Julia Jairl in the city She was, he declared, the queen of single girls-- the Elizabeth the First of lower Manhattan--so he had proposed that Julia share her gift with the world That lunch at the Ritz five years ago marked the point when Julia Jauest of the Ritz, on her third trip, pro for her third ride to Rockefeller Center and her third conversation with Katie Couric In theher billionth hand of solitaire She could have played on the computer, but she liked the feel of a deck in her hands, the brush against her thu out a hand Plus, Julia liked being able to cheat

She tried to focus on the cards or theof the clock beside the bed Four forty-five in the ain and shuffled

Chapter One

WAY 1: See clearly the cards you’ve been dealt

If life is a game of cards, then every day, a new card turns over See it for what it is Recognize its i in your way, then find a way to cheat

She had a hard tihter than the sun that was still waiting to bring day to New York City Julia settled herself onto the plush leather of the backseat and said a silent prayer of thanks that the driver had worn a na the h her subconscious like a fog Charlie, she told herself Charlie Charlie Charlie She tried mnemonic devices:

--from 707 Ways to Cheat at Solitaire

Goodthe door of the Town Car

Sleep and fatigue crusted in Julia’s eyes, and she Charlie the tuna Charlie’s Angels Charlie, the male Charlize Theron

"How are you, Charlie?" she asked once the man had settled hireat, ?"

"I’ot early editions of all the papers back there for you I hope you don’t mind, but I peeked already and saw those books of yours are still on the bestseller list Your folks must be awfully proud"

It was far too early in thefor Julia to think about herJulia’s clippings on the refrigerator right next to her report card frorade Instead, Julia picked up a paper

Breath lodged in her throat as she began at the botto towardHer second book, Spaghetti and Meatball: Meals for the Single Person, was just a notch or two above that, on the Advice, How-To, and Miscellaneous list But as Julia’s eyes returned to theco line, her heart pounded harder, until she crossed into the top ten and saw 101 Ways to Cheat at Solitaire sitting there, staring back at her, proof in black and white that life is good

They eased into predawn traffic, and Julia scanned the streets around her The city’s support staff was already hard at work, like the backstage on Broadway,was perfect Beer trucks lined up in front of bars Laundry vans skirted restaurants Storeowners washed s and rearranged displays Julia watched the world put on its reatest city in the world hasat her in the rearview h to make Julia wonder if she had lipstick on her teeth or had missed a button on her blouse

"I tell you, Ms James," Charlie said finally, "I see your author photo all the time, but you’re even prettier in person"

Relief flooded over Julia as blood rushed to her cheeks People sometimes told her she was pretty--one even went as far as to say she was beautiful--but, Julia admitted, her mother was probably biased

"I hope you don’tso, et prettier every year"

Bright red now, Julia didn’t knohat else to do, so she said, "Why, thank you, Charlie," and turned to look out the

"You sure do have some fans," theof yours But ht Yep She’s a big fan"

Julia was staring out theat Fifth Avenue, thinking about the opening scene of Breakfast at Tiffany’s, re why, for a short time, New York City had been her kind of town Not because it was the sort of place where you can -shop in formal wear at five AM, but because it was the kind of place where you can do that and trust that no one will stare

"So, you’ve got a new book out now, I guess?" he asked her "That’s right"

"Well, I’et one for Lou Ann" Charlie cocked his head and grinned "She reads those books of yours and talks about how she doesn’t need a , too, ’cause she sure doesn’t have one"

They reached the studio, and despite the da air, tourists had already lined up outside the Today show’s s Charlie pulled the car to the talent entrance and got out to help Julia with her door A cry rose up froed from the car, but Charlie quickly stepped between Julia and theher with his broad body "You be careful out here Soet ya"