“New stunt person got here. Mylo Rye. Heard of him?”
Avery’s huff is almost a laugh. “Is he an A-lister in need of a divorce?”
“No.”
“Then why the fuck would I have heard of him? You know way more people in that industry than I do.”
“I dunno. Just curious.”
Avery sighs. “Tee.”
That’s her serious voice.Uh oh.
She continues, “Why’d you really call?”
I’m quiet for a long moment. I toy with the belt on my robe. “Do you think it was a mistake?”
“Think what was a mistake?”
“Signing this contract. For five movies.”
“If I thought it was a mistake, I wouldn’t have helped you review it. Tee. It’s five movies with a big studio. That’s work that’ll set you up for life. Is this why you can’t sleep?”
“I don’t like that word.Cement.What if this means I’ll always only be Electra?”
“You love Electra. I don’t see the problem.”
“I do, I just… I don’t know. It’s stupid. I’m spinning my wheels.” The city suddenly feels overbright, so I stare up at the ceiling. Fresh, white drywall. Nothing to see. I flop over to face away from the windows.
“When was the last time you got a proper night of sleep?”
“Aren’t you a bit too hungover to judge?”
“I’m not judging. I’m just asking.”
“Like… a month, maybe?”
“You should call a doctor, not me, Tee. Or, at least, call Gia. I’m useless with brain stuff.”
I trace the stitching on the duvet cover. I’m sure Avery leans against the wall, watching the golden morning light spill across Chicago, grateful for a quiet moment to gulp down some more coffee.
“You remember when we met?” I ask.
There’s a twinge of something like resignation or defeat in Avery’s voice as she lets me change the subject. “Yeah, I remember when we met. I remember having zero clue why Morgan let this spoiled little brat hang around. Still don’t…”
I laugh, and my body finally settles. “And I thought you were this cool, hotshot trial lawyer. Oh, how wrong I was.”
Avery chuckles. “Y’know, when I stepped back from trial law and started my own practice, I worried I was ruining my career. That the partners were right, that I couldn’t hack it on my own. So, I set out to prove them wrong. If there’s one thing I don’t doubt, Tee, it’s that if anyone tries to pigeon-hole you, you’ll prove them wrong.”
“… Thanks, Vee. That means a lot. Even coming from a grumpy old bat.”
“You called me, asshole. Now, go the fuck to bed.”
“Yeah, yeah. Oh, one more thing.”
“Uh huh?”
“I think the Windy City is a perfect place for a windbag like you.”
