heard about a new reality show looking for people from all walks of life who were looking to rebuild their lives after a big change, and somehow she remembered me from my previous work. She thought I would be a perfect candidate, and pursued me relentlessly until I agreed to be her client.
It was the best decision I ever made.
The show allowed people to see the real me. It followed the brutal reality of just how hard it was to make it in Hollywood, even if you already had a hit and a recognizable face. It was both tragic and uplifting, but it had people rooting for me to both fail and succeed. Once again, I was a household name, but this time I had as many haters as I did fans. The show was where I’d met Erik. He was a guest star one season, and we’d hit it off right away. I was feeling particularly down after yet another failed audition, and he’d been the one to comfort me and assure me that as long as I kept trying, something good was bound to happen.
To be fair, our onscreen relationship playing out for millions each week did as much to open doors for me as being on the show did. Eventually, I landed a role on an unusual show on a streaming site. No one thought it would be a hit, but surprisingly, the quirky premise found a huge fan base and blew up almost instantly. Overnight, it seemed like my life was back on track, and everything I’d been reaching for since Salinger Dolan stole it away was finally within reach.
“You know how I feel about Salinger. I don’t even know why you’re bringing him up. Today is supposed to be about leaving toxic men behind me.” I made a face at her when she frowned back at me.
“Listen, Maren. I have it on good authority that Salinger and his new team are shopping a script around that is a game-changer. I know your instinct is going to be to tell me there’s no way in hell you would ever work with him again, but I’m telling you as your agent, you need to leave the past in the past and consider attaching yourself to this project before it gets off the ground. It’s an opportunity I don’t think you should pass up.” She pointed a finger at me and narrowed her eyes. “I was right about the reality show. I was right about the streaming site. I was right about the rom-com you were convinced was going to flop at the box office. I have a feeling about this project deep in my gut.”
I gritted my teeth and curled my fingers into a fist on top of the table. I couldn’t believe she was honestly suggesting I work with Salinger Dolan again. She had to be out of her damn mind.
“No. Not just no, but hell no. I’d rather crawl over broken glass naked than even think about getting involved with anything that has to do with him.” I kept my voice firm even as my heart started to race. Salinger still had that effect on me. Even though it’d been a decade since our paths had crossed, the memories and impact he’d left with me were unforgettable. I was scarred deep within my soul because of him.
Lennon sighed heavily and reached for her wine glass. She finished what was left in one gulp and leaned toward me, her gaze intent. “I’ve only seen bits and pieces of the script, but when I tell you the starring role for the female lead was practically written for you, I really mean it. As your agent, I’m telling you not to be so quick to dismiss working with Salinger’s team. As your best friend, I’m telling you that it’s well past time you let go of what happened in the past. If you hold a grudge against everyone who is difficult to work with, you will alienate half of Hollywood. I’m not asking you to agree to a reading or an audition, I just want you to be open-minded enough to consider that Salinger has changed, and maybe he needs the kind of break you got.”
I knocked a fist against the table and reminded her, “I only needed that break because of him. Did you forget that?”
Whose side was she on anyway?
“I didn’t forget. I also haven’t forgotten that he was just a teenager who had terrible people