Page 4 of Faking It

A gentle sob leaves my throat as I dip to lift the envelope from the ground. My heart races as I open it. I pull the photo out and immediately sink to a squat, weak in the knees, relief swarming my insides.

The pink-faced, chubby baby girl smiles back at me. I run my thumb over the glossy surface before slipping out the accompanying note.

Hey, Lee!

My cousin took a trip to LA, so I asked her to drop this off. Hope it didn’t scare you. You said no phone, so we’re back to the old ages, girl! Lol. Just wanted you to see my baby girl. Beautiful, isn’t she? Already quite a handful, but Momma and I love her. And we miss you. Take care of yourself. Hope we run into each other someday!

Love,

Megan.

I wipe the tears from the corner of my eyes.Oh, I wish that could be the case, Megan, but I’ll go back to that godforsaken town, and you can’t know who I am now, either.

Pressing my lips to the photo, I return it to the envelope.

But, I’ll never forget what you and your mother did for me.

Tucking the envelope in my purse, and with my legs still rubber-like, I make my way to Old Lizzy, the second-hand sedan I bought from the pound six years ago. Adjusting the seat reminds me that Logan had insisted on driving my car last night, instead of taking his brand new pickup truck, the one he claimed is a gift from his mother. The same mother I haven’t met, I might add. Turning the ignition, the rock music hits me at full blast, another reminder of him wanting his own way, and me always giving in.

I’m not a doormat. Far from it.

As I turn the volume down and select my favorite pop station, I remind myself that my patience, humility and submission are all necessary virtues. There’s no way I’ll reach my goal without them. The reminder keeps repeating in my head as I open my Latin playlist. Samba music fills the car within a few seconds.

Pausing at a stoplight on the highway, I glance at the billboard of a popular sitcom, my stomach dipping like it usually does whenever I see one like this. Three years ago, I was a part of that world, my face stamped on billboards around the city. A stroke of bad luck made me fall from grace, reduced to serving tables with only the memory of my glory days.

I don’t believe those days are over. There’s no way I’ve already peaked in this industry. No matter what it takes, I’ll get back there. In fact, I’ll soar even higher this time around. I’ll be the movie star I’ve always aspired to be.

Chapter 2

Ana

“Tell me you’re sitting down, Ana.”

With my eyes canvassing the dining area, I back into the little corner behind the water station, the cellphone pressed to my ear. “I’m at work, Tori. Of course, I’m standing up,” I half-whisper in reply. ““You promised that your morning phone calls will only mean good news. Please don’t let me down.”

“A promise is a promise, sweetie,” my best friend replies with a chuckle, and I imagine that twinkle in her brown eyes whenever she laughs. “Grab a seat because this is huge,” she cautions.

“You missed the part where I’m at work.” Tori’s not only my best friend of six years, but she’s also my agent. She knows I shouldn’t take personal calls at work, so this must be important.

I hope.

From where I crouch, I glimpse Frank walking down the aisle between the table, his head twisting from left to right. There’s no doubt he’s looking for me. Having just checked in with my customers, I’m sure they’re okay. There’s no need for him to be on the manhunt for me.

“Okay, let me be quick. Did you hear the shocking news about the Lopez’ divorce?”

“People living under a rock heard about that divorce, girl. I still can’t believe it. They were on a cruise last week. I saw the photos online.”

“Well, from what I heard, it wasn’t an anniversary cruise but a divorce party.”

“What?”

“Yep. The breakup happened months ago. They’ve been keeping things under wraps.”

“Wow. Talk about having a close-knit circle because no one caught an inkling of it,” I reply while noticing that Frank has doubled back, his head still swiveling. “Sweetie, as much as I’d love to stay in hiding for some gossip, I really need to go. Frank looks ready about to tear the restaurant apart for me.”

“Oh, crap. You did mention work, didn’t you?” I hear her wincing. “That’s not good.”

“What’s not good?”

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