Page 108 of Rest In Pieces

“I was channeling my innerMushu,yes, but I was going to say–– going to London without me.”

“As much as I love a Mulan quote; I’m a big girl, Amity. I can handle myself. I know it doesn’t seem like it sometimes, but—” Her words are muffled as I cover her mouth with my hand.

“I know you can. If I didn’t think you could, I wouldn’t let you get on a plane and fly halfway across the world.”

She thinks about it for a moment before relaxing. I pull my hand away from her mouth.

“Alright, I believe you.” She pulls me toward her and hugs me tightly.

I breathe her in and hold her close, swallowing down a lump in my throat. Joking aside, I know this is a big deal for her.

“I’ve gotta go. I’m supposed to be in wardrobe right now. I just wanted you to know I’m so proud of you, Nevaeh, and I know Citlalli would be too.”

“You think so?”

“Absolutely.”

27

GENESIS

How Amity can nail a complicated stunt in just a few takes when Monica takes twelve just to stand on the right mark is beyond me. If there’s an actual hell, I’m in it.

“And… cut. Everyone take a fifteen-minute break,” Stefan shouts.

“Thank you, Jesus,” I mutter under my breath as I watch Stefan storm over to Monica.

“What the hell is going on, Monica? If this keeps up, we’ll never make the deadline.”

“You don’t understand, Stefan. I’m under a lot of pressure, and everything with my stalker is just draining me. I can’t eat, I can’t sleep. I’m scared all the time, and nobody has any idea who it could be. Hell, for all I know, it could be you!”

Stefan splutters, shocked by the accusation. “I can assure you, it’s not me.”

“Yeah, but isn’t that what my stalker would say?”

He closes his mouth and shakes his head. “Why don’t you go lie down for a little while? With G guarding your trailer, I’m sure you’ll sleep fine.”

“Well, if you insist. Genesis, would you like to come inside with me? I’m sure you’d be more comfortable on my couch.”

“I’m good where I am, Monica. I don’t need to be comfortable to do my job.”

She giggles. “Don’t be silly. How can I be just a job when we’re friends?” She trails her fingers down my arm before I can move away.

I scowl at her, but she’s already walking away.

“That woman,” Stefan grumbles.

“Was she always like that?”

“Believe it or not, she was a completely different person during the first movie. Then it was released, and it was a big hit, launching her into a stardom she’d only ever dreamt about before. And suddenly, the girl she once was was gone, and she was replaced with… that.”

“They say fame changes people.”

“It does. Look, I’ve been in the industry for over twenty years, and it’s not for everyone. It sure as hell isn’t as glamorous as people think. There’s a toxic undercurrent that runs rampant, and only the strong survive.” He slaps me on the back. “I’m going to see if Amity will shoot this scene. If Monica can’t get it right, I’ll just have the visual effects team superimpose her face onto Amity’s.”

“Monica will shit if she finds out Amity’s shooting her scene.”

“Then she needs to remember the first rule of Hollywood: everyone’s replaceable. There are a hundred more Monica Millers just waiting for their chance to shoot their shot. If she keeps carrying on like this, nobody will want to work with her. She’s already building a reputation that’s making the studio uneasy.”

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