Page 12 of Less

Don’t rely on anyone but yourself.

Don’t build your life around a man.

And never trust someone who disappears without even the courtesy of a goodbye.

So yeah.

Seeing him again?

It rattled me.

But it doesn’t change anything.

I’m not the same woman he left behind.

Back then I was still hustling through ensemble roles, waiting for someone to notice me.

Waiting for my chance.

Now?

Now I’m finally where I always dreamed I’d be.

Headlining.

My phone buzzed with the official confirmation two weeks ago.

Oliver Pax himself wants me to lead the cast of his new production next fall.

A brand-new Phantom retelling.

Haunting the Met.

On Broadway.

My name above the title.

I’ve worked my entire life for that moment.

Years of auditions.

Tiny apartments.

Voice lessons that drained every last dollar from my bank account.

Now everything is finally coming together.

My career.

My future.

My independence.

Which makes it especially irritating that one look at Less still sends a warm, traitorous flutter through my stomach.

I hate that.

I hate him for that.