room, Zoe was pacing. She had

e rising in pitch. "His dad owns half th

from her portfolio on the orange beds

too embarrassed. He got dropped by a girl in fiv

as crumpled and stained with coffee

tor? He's a recluse. He's ghosted all the major studios, drop

re he is,"

ow

ys," Avery said. She tapped the paper. "He's looking f

y piano, Avery. You play the radio.

ious smile that didn't quite reach h

black dress. It was simple, backless, and elegant. It

Avery said, holding the

at Avery-really looked at her-for the first time s

scary," Avery

hroom light. Sharp winged eyeliner. Dark red lips. She hummed a melody

frown creasing her forehead. Th

that?" Zoe asked th

checked her reflection. The wom

les. They called a gener

ou only found if you knew where to look. There was no sign, just a heav

massive arms as they a

to plead, but Avery s

r. She looked at the fad

. Her voice was respectful. "Firs

ed. He looked at this girl in the exp

othly, adding a detail she remembered from the novel's chara

rin. It transformed his

lvet rope. "Enjoy

walked past him. Her grip was

ss," Avery

th smoke and the smell of expensive whisk

unt w