Page 65 of Movers and Shakers

“Okay,” Mom said slowly. “But what if you get the story mixed up?”

I closed my eyes, knowing that my secret identity kept her sane.

“I’ll be sure no one knows. Everything will be okay.” I wasn’t sure if I was reassuring her or myself.

“Rosie . . .‍” Dad’s voice was soft in a way I hadn’t heard before. “You can’t be Lila forever.”

Couldn’t I? I’d been Lila for the last decade and more.

“A secret like this is worth millions,” Mom said. “Do you trust him?”

“He hasn’t told anyone he’s even met me.”

“Do you see yourself staying with him?” Dad asked. “I told you to follow your heart.”

“I could.”

“Is this the life he wants?” Mom asked. “To be tied to fame?”

And my heart crumbled at their questions. Mom wasn’t wrong and neither was Dad. Rose was supposed to be therealme, but he only knew the fake side.

The one who could ruin is life if people found out about him.

“Linda,” Dad started, “let her live her life, especially if she likes this guy.”

“I’m trying to be sure I can stay safe, Archie,” Mom said. “I can’t dothis like you and Lila can.”

“I’ll be safe,” I promised. “No one will catch me.”

But even I knew I wasn’talways being safe. Not by a long shot.

Barry

“Um, Barry?” Audrey’s voice shook when she found me working in the back. “We’ve got a problem.”

I blinked. She could figure out almost everything by herself, so if she was coming to me, then it meant something big.

“What is it?”

“You should follow me.”

We went to the front door and all of the bouncers were gathered around one person. I took a second look, noticing that some of the security wasn’t even my own. Was this some major celebrity trying to get in?

“What’s going on here?” I asked.

“Barry Murray.” One of the bodyguards moved out of the way and I saw a vaguely familiar woman. She had dark hair, blue eyes, and a sharp bob. “I’m here to get my star back. I believe you know who I am. The name is Mia.”

It dawned on me then. Mia was Lila’s agent, and judging by the look of this, my secrets were about to get blown out of the water.

“Let’s go to my office,” I said. “We can talk more there.”

Audrey and all of my security staff looked at me incredulously. I knew she wasn’t going to take this sitting down. There were going to bea lotof questions about what was happening.

But first, I needed to deal with the person who had hurt Lila. That was more important than anything else.

Mia and her entourage followed me to my office. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Juno peeking around a corner, eyebrow raised. When she saw who was following me, her jaw dropped.

I wouldn’t have been surprised if Lila left my apartment within minutes. Juno was very protective and I couldn’t blame her.

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