Page 51 of Play the Part

I’ve just gotten to a massive plot twist in my audiobook when a call interrupts my concentration. I’m in the hotel’s gym, running on the treadmill, but don’t slow my stride as I glance down to see who’s calling.

Shit.

It’s my agent. I groan out loud and let out a long sigh. Slowing down to a fast-paced walk, I tap on my headphones to pick up the call.

“Hi Janet,” I say as sweetly as possible while out of breath, bracing myself for what’s to come.

Too busy to beat around the bush, she promptly goes in for the kill. “You can’t ignore me forever, Connie. You need to get your shit together. Brands are getting impatient — they’re breathing down my neck, and I’m starting to run out of excuses.”

I roll my eyes, wiping a palm across my forehead and into my hair.

“I moved across the country, is that not excuse enough?”

“Notnearlyexcuse enough. Listen, sweetie, you might haveturned your back on your acting career —fine— but you’re still an influencer with prior engagements.”

The way she hissed the wordfinetells me it’snotfine, but I ignore her tone. I suck on my teeth, my hands on my hips while I think.

I could quit it all.

Start over fresh.

It’s not like I need the money. But for once, I chew on my words and don’t say anything rash.

Yet.

“I just need some time,” I finally say.

Something in my tone must convince Janet.

Her voice is softer when she speaks next. “All I’m asking is for you to fulfill the contracts you already have, and then we can talk. Deal?”

I sigh. “Fine.”

“I also need you to attend an event in Marsford Bay next month.”

I groan so loud that the man jogging a few treadmills away from me looks over. Smiling awkwardly, I give him a small apologetic wave.

“Whatevent?”

“Just this influencer thing — sponsored by Hendricks Gin, something to do with Valentine’s Day.”

“Oh great,” I mutter under my breath.

She ignores my petulance. “I just sent you an email with all the details. Anyway, I’ve got to go. I have a meeting in five. Talk soon.”

I mumble my goodbyes and hang up.

My audiobook begins to play automatically when the call ends and I start up my run again, now desperately needing to expel some of my frustration.

I despise those influencer events. The downside to all this internet fame bullshit.

For now, I try to push it out of my thoughts and run for another half hour, my lungs burning but my mind clear when I finally step off the treadmill.

“What about this?”

I bring a silk blouse up to Sophia’s chest so she can see it against herself.

She wrinkles her nose and shakes her head. “Pass.” Then smiles. “But it would look great on you.”

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