Page 83 of The Small-Town Seduction Plan

I shake my head quickly, and fake a smile. “Thanks, I’m great,” I lie brightly.

Great at screwing everything up, at least.

I text Duke as soon as we land, as the sun is just rising over the ocean.

I’m sorry. I was a bitch. Call you later when I’m human again?

His reply comes immediately. I’ll be here. It’s all going to be OK.

I feel a pang of relief. A part of me wants to call him up right now, and spill every messy, emotional tangled thought I have all over him, but I force myself to tuck my phone away.

I still don’t know what I’m going to say to him, and I don’t want him thinking I’m some needy, desperate wreck, but just seeing those small words on my screen fills me with the reassurance I needed.

I can figure all of this out. Starting with my career.

I swing by my apartment, and do my best to make it look like I’ve had more than a couple of hours of restless airplane sleep, before going to meet my agents for breakfast at their swanky offices near Beverly Hills.

“Here she is!” Max greets me like a I’m a conquering hero, strolling into the conference room where he’s got the rest of my team and all the assistants gathered– along with stunning views of the Hollywood sign, and a lavish buffet of food.

“You got the good bagels,” I note, glancing at the spread. “I must have done something right.”

They all laugh. “The offer on Annihilation 3 came in first thing this morning,” he beams. “I don’t know what you did to charm Brady Patricks, but it worked. The producers said he can’t wait to get you out to Europe and into Lacey’s costume.”

I’ll bet he can’t.

I fill a plate, and get seated, while Max dives into outlining the main deal points. “You’ll be filming at least four months, plus prep time, and promo,” he reports. “So your next year is pretty much locked down already.”

A whole year dressed up in skintight hot pants, deploying evasive maneuvers whenever Brady comes around?

Perfect.

“And what about the Amelia Earhart project?” I can’t help asking. “Have we heard from Madeline Maronne’s people? Would it take me out of the running, if I choose to move ahead with this?”

“Choose?” Max repeats, frowning. “What are you talking about? This is a slam dunk. World Series. You’d be crazy not to take it.”

That’s exactly what I yelled to Duke about the job last night, but in the bright light of day, I’m not so sure.

“What does Madeline say?” I ask again. “Is she any closer to making her decision on casting? We had a really great meeting,” I add. “I think we connected over her vision for the character, and?—”

“You’re not getting that movie.” Max cuts me off bluntly.

“She already chose someone?” I ask, feeling a sharp stab of disappointment.

“No, but she will – and it’s not going to be you.” Max sits forward. “Look, Avery, I’ve got to level with you, you’re not Madeline Marrone material. She’s a serious director, her movies are going to win Oscars one day. That’s not your path.”

“It’s not, huh?” I carefully put down my bagel and meet his eyes, keeping my voice calm even as frustration flares in my chest. “Tell me, what is it you see as being my path?”

“You’re blockbuster material!” Max says it with a big smile on his face. “Annihilation is just the beginning. We’re going to book you billion-dollar franchises, brand deals, everything we’ve been planning for. Who wants to waste their time fucking around with those little indie projects when you can be the biggest A-lister in the world?”

I do.

“The thing about being an A-lister, your blockbuster babe, is that it’s not down to me, is it?” I say slowly.

A cold, steely calm begins to trickle down my spine. Clarity.

Max looks confused. “Of course it is. You’ve made it happen, Avery. You’ve earned this.”

“No,” I shake my head. “Because this path, this kind of career, is always in the hands of someone else. The man who finds me hot enough to cast me, the studio head who signs off on my deal, the editor who decides to put me on a magazine cover– or not. If my entire career depends on men like you finding me hot enough to jerk off to in the shower at night, then I’m not the one with the power, am I? You are.”

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