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She nods, too eager to listen. "Star Wars!" she blurts out.

My jaw loosens.Star Wars...

"They are making a new episode. And you're going to be the star—a young Jedi woman. The most powerful Jedi ever."

"Really?" A smile is breaking out on my face.

"Yes." She grabs my hands. "The money is amazing. And you're getting a piece of the box office." She smiles smugly. "I'm a hell of a negotiator."

"Mary, this is amazing."

"I know."

"Who’s directing?"

"Troy Woods!"

He's huge—his last three films made as much as the freakingMatrixfranchise.Crap on toast.Mary is squeezing my hands, and I can't even speak. She laughs. "You have a few months until you start shooting."

"I'm…this is..."

"Oh, I know. You've arrived."

I nod, my voice lost in the wonder of the moment.

Temperance's congratulations came back to me—he knew about this before I did. Did he help make it happen? He certainly acted like he did. Is Troy Woods an asset as well?

"Woods wants to meet you as soon as possible."

I shake myself out of my stupor. "Yes, of course. When?"

"I'll let you know." Mary stands. "Come on, I'll take you to lunch and give you all the details. We need to celebrate."

She goes to her phone and buzzes her assistant. "Bradley, please let the paps know I’m taking Angela to Petunia's for lunch to celebrate a major new role."

I look up at her…God, she plays this game well. She should work with Temperance. Maybe she does already…

Mary grabs her purse and a jacket out of the closet. Turning back to me, she laughs. "Come on, let's go."

I pick up the bag Archie is sleeping in and follow her out the door. When we arrive at the restaurant, a few photographers are already waiting. They snap shots of us getting seated at an outdoor table. The clicks continue as a bottle of expensive champagne arrives, and Mary and I click our glasses. They wander off by the time our appetizers arrive.

"This is obviously a game changer," Mary concludes after detailing the lucrative financial package, then going on about foreign rights and future roles. I sip my champagne and pick at my tomato and burrata salad, a weight growing in my chest. A game changer, yes—but whose game?

Chapter Twelve

My lungs burnand music pounds in my ears as I run around the empty indoor track. Sweat slicks my body, and there are no thoughts in my head, just the beating of my heart matching the throbbing of the song.

I'm in the zone.

My eyes flick down to my watch. I'm meeting Synthia in ten minutes. It took two weeks to get back on her schedule. I pump my legs harder, pushing against all resistance and breaking through another layer of myself.This is power.

When I can't keep up the pace for even one more breath I let myself slow down, my entire body tingling with effort, my chest heaving with exertion. I slow to a walk and continue around the track, slowly regaining my composure.

Synthia’s fit form appears in the doorway, and she waves. I give her a big, breathless smile, crossing the large space toward her.

We meet in the middle. "You're looking good," she says, running her eyes over my body.

"Thanks, I've been trying to stay in shape." I give a sheepish smile. "It's not easy on the road."