"Of course," Clara said. "Well, it's nice to meet you, just Catherine."

As she spoke, Clara's face relaxed, and she leveled a dazzling smile at Catherine. Her eyes shone bright, and the slight tension in the air vanished. Catherine stared at Clara, wondering if she'd imagined the strange look before.

​​

"Well, I imagine we'll be seeing a lot more of you," she said awkwardly. "I know that Leydon and Brad are Sean's best friends, but I'm looking forward to meeting his other friends. It's a bit awkward being the only woman."

"Of course," Clara said with another smile. "Though, I'm afraid we won't really see that much of each other. When I'm not modeling, I'm shooting some film or other. It feels like I'm always on location somewhere—not that I'm complaining, of course."

Clara's voice was melodic and warm, and her accent was a gentle mix between British and American. Catherine found herself nodding along with everything the model said.

"That must be so exciting," she said.

"It is," Clara said with a laugh. "Though sometimes I feel like I hardly have a second to catch my breath."

She raised the dirtied makeup wipe she held in her hand and continued rubbing at the stubborn, smudged makeup that lined her eyes. In spite of the smeared makeup, she was stunning.

"What are you working on now?" Catherine asked.

"Oh, I'm shooting a new movie in New York," Clara replied. "It's a romance—a rich girl with a charmed life falls for a struggling musician who teaches her all about love."

"I can't wait to see it," Catherine said. "It sounds so romantic!"

Clara smiled and continued wiping at the makeup on her face, and Catherine looked over her shoulder, trying to catch Sean's eye. He had moved away and held his phone pressed against his ear. He caught her eye, smiled, and walked closer, looping an arm around her waist.

"I'm sorry I missed the wedding," Clara said, looking at them in the mirror reflection. "I was shooting all day and night, and my manager insisted there was no way I could take time off."

"It's okay, really," Catherine said.

"Are you two done talking?" Sean asked.

"I'm afraid so," Clara said with a small, apologetic frown. "I'm in a hurry tonight."

"No worries," Catherine said. "Is there any way we could get a picture together?"

"Of course," Clara said. "Just give your phone to Sean."

"Sean, can you?" Catherine asked.

"Anything for my starstruck wife," he said, his mouth curled with amusement.

She passed him her phone, and Clara spun around and gracefully draped an arm over Catherine's shoulder. Catherine smiled, and the flash went off, blinding her with bright, white light.

"Do you want an autograph, too?" Clara asked.

"Umm, sure, that would be great," Catherine replied.

Clara rummaged in her purse before pulling out a program for the show. She scribbled her name in black ink and then handed it to Catherine. Catherine folded it neatly before slipping it into her small clutch. Her stomach fluttered nervously—she couldn't believe she'd finally met Clara Fields.

In her last life, she'd only seen Clara from a distance. During a particularly low point with Marco, Madison had persuaded her to start working as her personal assistant. Desperate for the extra money, Catherine had agreed. At that time, Madison was trying to become a movie star. She was cast in a romantic comedy, playing the star's jealous ex-lover. Every day, Catherine had joined her cousin on set, watching as she stumbled through her lines or threw temper tantrums in hair and makeup.

One day Clara appeared on the set—she'd been cast as the love interest. Madison had flown into a furious rage, and Catherine didn't dare to approach Clara for fear Madison would find out and fire her. Throughout the shoot, she'd kept an eye on Clara, and she'd been awed by the star's grace and elegance. Even when Madison shouted insults, Clara kept a clear head and a smile on her face.

Sean cleared his throat, and Catherine snapped back to the present. He offered her his arm and pressed a light kiss against the top of her head.

"You two are such a lovely couple," Clara said.

"You're making me sick," Brad joked. "I feel like I'm the third wheel on a honeymoon."

"Shut up, Brad," Sean snapped.

"How about you join us for dinner, Clara?" Brad asked. "Don't leave me third-wheeling with these two."

"I'd love to," Clara said. "But I have a plane to catch at 11—maybe next time."

"Oh, come on, Abs," Brad said. "You deserve a break. Tell me, in the last year, how many days have you had off? How many times have you joined us for lunch or dinner or a trip up North?"

"You know I can't help it," Clara said with a sigh. "I'm trying to make a name for myself. If I turn down a project, they might not offer me another one."

"You're such a liar," Brad laughed. "You're already a household name. You could refuse every single offer for a year, and they'd still keep calling you."

"You don't understand, Brad," Clara said.

Brad sighed, "I'm afraid I do. We both know it's not really about work. Tell me, how long are you going to avoid Leydon?"

A strange expression flickered across Clara's face and then disappeared. "Don't be ridiculous, Brad," she said.

"Am I being ridiculous?" he asked. "You never come to London anymore."

"Because I'm busy," Clara said, her tone turning frosty.

"Come on, Brad," Sean said. "We really shouldn't keep Clara."

Catherine felt Sean's arm tighten around her. She wanted to stay and talk to Clara, but she knew it was useless to argue with Sean.

"Well, it was nice meeting you," Catherine said.

"You as well," Clara said. "We can get together next time I'm here."

Brad muttered something under his breath, but Catherine couldn't hear what he'd said. With Sean at her side, she walked back across the dressing room. At the door, she glanced over her shoulder, but Clara had disappeared back into the chaotic crowd of models.

Leydon waited in the dim hall outside the dressing room. He had his back turned to them, but his shoulders were hunched. He looked miserable and alone. She wondered what had happened between Leydon and Clara. Both of them seemed like kind, thoughtful people, but something had obviously gone wrong.

"You should have come in," Brad called to Leydon. "There were tons of gorgeous, half-naked women in there."

Leydon turned to look at them, leveling a long, chilly stare at Brad.

"I'm not trying to get involved in your business, but man up already," Brad said, sounding irritable. "It's pointless to hold a grudge against a woman."

"What happened?" Catherine whispered to Sean.

"None of your business," Sean whispered back. "Don't get involved."

"Well then, let's get back out there," Brad said. "We're missing the afterparty. I'm not going to let your weird mood ruin my chance with the lovelies out there."

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Dearest Lovies,

Today, a mass release day, as I promised earlier. Allow me to great you a prosperous new year. Xīnnián kuàilè. Gong Xi Fa Cai!

Love Lots,

Anna Shannel Lin