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"But it’s beneath you"

I laugh "C’mon, I’m not Brad Pitt"

"Not yet And you won’t be, not if we don’t pick the right parts for you I’ "You’re on the edge of breaking out, but one wrong move could end it all Trust est new na has always beencos, two-second blink-and-you’ll-miss-me roles on TV--I did it all, and never seeive up whenbreak arrived, the day I turned twenty-five: I landed the lead in adeal, for an unknown likeup who never gave ents, publicists, all swearing they can , the new Jonny Depp--but only if I pick et one shot in this ga a career to be proud of

I pace, torn "The director’s a buddy of mine," I tell Josh "And I have tiet indie movie that doesn’t even have a location anyet the scripts I sent?"

I think of the pile of cookie-cutter action uest rooeance, end of story "I want a change," I protest, "I spent three ht robot aliens Look, Dash does great work It’s small, but credible"

"Credible?" Josh snorts "You want credibility, you go back toa hundred bucks a day in the theater You want to be a fuck-off movie star? You pick the projects I tell you to pick"

I can feel my frustration rise, so I cut hiret "Look, I appreciate the advice Let "

"Sure thing" I can hear partying on his side of the call too He’s probably at so bash in the Hollywood Hills full of A-list talent It was a big thing for his, Josh understands this gaht," he adds as a parting shot "Don’t screw this up"

He hangs up, leaving me out on the deck with a major decision on ht, once I got s would co is harder There’s ot nothing left to lose, but now I’ve had a taste of success, I’ve got so er"

I turn at the voice and promptly stop dead The woman in front of me is a vision of slinky black silk, all luscious curves, red lips and glossy blonde hair I blink in disbelief

"Zoey?" I ask, not processing what I’er sister’s best friend, she was gawky and casual in jeans and tortoiseshell glasses Now, she looks like she just stepped off a runway--and out of every man’s fantasy "Holy shit, what happened to you?"

Zoey arches an eyebrow "Good to see you too," she s over to kiss me on both cheeks "Sorry, Paris," she says as an explanation, reaching to wipe away a se of lipstick As she leans in close, I catch a breath of perfu that wraps itself around hts, and intile to focus "Uh, hey, welcoives me a mysterious s like someone smashed me over the head with an anvil This is Zoey, she’s been running around with Tegan since they were teenagers, she’s like a little sister to aze fro, and the sexy curves of her body, all the way to her shoes: red peep-toe sandals that lace all the way up her calves

They’re the sexiest shoes I’ve ever seen

"Uh, depends on what?" I dragme with a curious smile

"You’ll see," she says cryptically "But, yes, I’an will be happy, I know she missed you" I steer the conversation back to a safe topic: my sister

"Me too," Zoey smiles "I missed all of you," she adds Her eyes aze

I find my mind is blank; I try and think of what to say She’s been out in Europe for over a year noorking at soan reports back, but I never paid much attention to the details

Noish I had

Zoey takes a place besideto watch the dark beach, and the ocean crashing beyond I try not to notice how her body arches, givingview of her low-cut neckline

"So what’s your resolution?" she asks, a flirty note in her voice