Total pages in book: 58
Estimated words: 53466 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 267(@200wpm)___ 214(@250wpm)___ 178(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 53466 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 267(@200wpm)___ 214(@250wpm)___ 178(@300wpm)
My job is important to me; it always has been. I take pride in protecting people, be it basic security as I did when I was younger and a few years after leaving the police force behind or now with Alpha Security. I won’t betray the people who mean so much to me.
As for Summer? I shake my head, the memory of that time still possessing the power to hurt me. In the tight world of the television show, the staff and talent were together twenty-four seven. It was easy for us to sneak away often, and although our time together was brief, I believed we had a deeper connection. Something I honestly thought could turn into more over time, or else I never would have violated the terms of my contract. Not for a quick lay. Unfortunately, she betrayed me for reasons I still can’t fathom, and it burns in my gut because I should have known better.
I saw my father humiliated and betrayed by his wife, yet he took his wife back the first time, only to be cuckolded again by Rita with the same man—his longtime friend and partner. In the end, Nate Hollander lost a lot more than his pride. He lost his business as well. He was a broken shell of a man after that, and I’ve sworn never to repeat my father’s mistakes … only to find myself screwed over by a woman.
Summer Michelle was my undoing four years ago, but I am determined not only to keep my distance but to make certain that I am the one calling the shots this time around.
* * *
Summer
I am living my dream, and how many people are able to say the same? This morning, I rehearsed with the band the producers put together for my appearances, and now I am working with a stylist. I follow as the woman drags me past rack after rack of clothing in the New York City showroom. I was instructed to choose a wardrobe for a variety of appearances I have coming up, from the opening of a restaurant to performing at a club to morning show appearances. All in conjunction with the competition to be the opening act for the world tour of Jade Glow, pop star extraordinaire.
I am a jeans-and-tee-shirt kind of woman, but if the dresses and elaborate designer clothing are any indication, that is about to change, and I have to admit I am extremely excited about the opportunity. I haven’t had any major appearances since the tour after the television show, Star Power, ended, and I’ve been left to my own devices in choosing my clothing.
That was four years ago, and now at twenty-six years old, I’m not used to people telling me what to do or how to dress. But if I want the opportunity to open for Jade, I am going to have to learn to play the game.
Starting right now.
“So? Let’s start with the colors that work best on you, yes?” Rose Lafoy, the stylist, asks.
“Black and white,” I automatically say, glancing down at my black tee shirt, ripped jeans, and white sneakers.
Rose’s eyes open wide in horror. “No. Color. We want people to notice you. You need to stand out. You have a beautiful complexion, so let’s bring out the gold in your eyes.” She immediately begins to pull warm colors, like reds, golds, and burgundy, and then she goes on to explain I can also pull off bright blues, aquas, and deeper navy tones, as she layers clothing over her arm from the racks. “These are for daily wear. You can’t run around the city like an average girl who blends in. Not if you want social media presence and coverage.”
Other than my voice, I am an average girl, but I have to stop thinking that way. I need to remember to photograph the process, build my Instagram presence, my Snapchat stories, and a million other things I normally ignore so I can get lost in my head and create my music.
At the reminder, I pull out my iPhone for a selfie with the clothes in the background, put on a playful pout, snap, choose a filter, type, “All in a day’s work!” and hit share.
“Jessie, put these in the dressing room,” Rose says to a harried-looking young girl, who hops to do her bidding.
“Now for the club opening, what about this Chanel?” She chooses a light gold beaded gown that appears to have low cleavage and a high slit along one leg.
“Gorgeous!” I exclaim, all the while wondering how I am going to hold my ample size C’s in that skimpy dress.
“Good. And this Givenchy for the morning show appearance?” She lifts a bold yellow fitted dress that also has me pondering where I’ll put the girls.
But the woman is a stylist and hopefully knows her business. “Let’s try it!” I keep my excitement high despite my nerves.