Silence stretches. “If insurance dropped her, she’d have to pay out of pocket. Can she do that?”
“At around ten million dollars? No,” Myra says flatly. “Which is why no studio will touch her. And why I’m mentioning it to you.”
“What are you saying?”
“I’m saying the producers won’t wait. And they like you. They need someone who looks good on a red carpet and can handle the press, regardless of the headlines. At the moment, that’s you.”
I roll my eyes. “Is this where you say all publicity is good publicity?”
“As long as felonies are off the table,” she says freely. “We’ve all agreed. You’re perfect. Especially since you’re with Pierce.”
I knew there was a catch. “If this role is because of my attachment to Pierce, then it’s a pass. Pierce and I are unattached.”
“Please. Everyone knows uncouplings make headlines, and re-couplings make even bigger ones. Everyone’s on board.”
“I’m not on board.”
And to add insult to injury, Myra hits me with, “Pierce just signed as the leading man.”
My eyes slam shut. “Absolutely not.”
“Ava Alvarez, are you or are you not a professional?”
I square my shoulders. “I am.”
“Then work with me. Opportunity is knocking, Ava. It’s knocking loud. But it only does so once. Then it moves to the next person in line.”
When I don’t answer right away, she adds, “I’m sure Brielle Blakely would love the role.”
“I’m sure she would. Her claim to fame BJ with Pierce is going viral as we speak,” I bite out, my voice carrying.
The man next to me shoots me a disapproving look. Again. I am absolutely getting kicked off this plane.
Myra finishes with a stake to the heart. “I can do her deal as easily as I can do yours.”
Damn it. I know Myra. It doesn’t matter that she represents me and doesn’t represent her. Or that she represents Pierce because I introduced them.
Myra’s allegiance is to her ten percent. And the moment she feels it slipping away, the claws come out.
“Tick tock, Ava.”
I blow out a breath. I can’t even fault her. Love is love. Business is business. She taught me that better than anyone. And this is her livelihood.
Then, more gently, “I’m only looking out for you, Ava. I called you first.”
She’s right. She represents a dozen actresses she could’ve called.
And this role is a catalyst. Not just because they’re pouring money into it hand over fist, but because Princess Luna is everything.
Fiery. Kind. Powerful. A world built on an Avatar-scale with K-pop-level reach.
It would make me a global phenomenon.
Doubt flickers for a fraction of a second. Isn’t that what I’ve been killing myself for?
Partly, anyway.
All I have to do is say yes.
