Though how could I stay?
He’d admitted that he was basically trying to smother my career before it even took off.
What was I going to do? Give up and go to Kansas? Start passing out my headshots in Times Square?
I feel numb as I stumble up the stairs of my apartment and strip out of my tight shirt and jeans to replace it with a sweatshirt and yoga pants. As tears well in my eyes, I remove my makeup and try to wash away my worries, but I can’t. I’m still sobbing when I hear the front door swing open.
“Morgan!” Stacy calls, her head popping in through the bathroom door. “What are you doing home so early?”
I turn, throwing my arms around her shoulders and holding on tight. She jumps in surprise but then squeezes me back and strokes my hair until I manage to stop crying.
“I quit!” I wail, overwhelmed by the choice I’ve made and the effects it may have on my future. “I found out Hanson was turning down my bookings so I just walked out!”
“That’s great!” she says, always one to try and turn a negative into a positive. “Now you’ll be free to pursue your dreams on your own, right?”
“No! Now it means I’m never going to get another offer once Hanson tells every potential client in the state how obnoxious and difficult I am or whatever other lies he spins to badmouth me.”
Stacy pulls back, her warm palms on my shoulders. While I sniffle, she smiles at me gently. “You are obnoxious and difficult,” she teases, though her comment only makes more tears well in my eyes. “But that’s what everyone loves about you!” Stacy adds with a soft laugh and another hug.
“What am I going to do?” I moan.
“You’re going to come with me,” she says firmly, cutting me off before I can start lamenting about moving to Kansas again.
Not hesitating another moment, Stacy grabs my hand and hauls me outside to hail a cab. I’m too busy moping to even pay attention to where we’re going until we roll up in front of a gorgeous apartment building. Stacy pulls me by a doorman straight to an elevator with crystal buttons and sleek black doors. My tears are starting to dry as I take in the luxurious surroundings.
When the doors glide open, Chloe is standing in front of us with a wide smile. She doesn’t comment on my sweatshirt or tear-streaked face, too excited to see both of us at her new home.
“Welcome!” she cries, wrapping us both in a hug and dragging us through a waiting door at the end of a long hall.
“I can’t believe you live here,” Stacy says in awe.
“Me either,” Chloe admits.
“Donovan has good taste,” I add, admiring the space.
The suite is gorgeous, decorated in elegant whites with pops of bright color to accentuate the space. Floor-to-ceiling windows pour beautiful light through the home and warm the floorboards as we walk. It’s a modern-day castle, and Chloe is the lovely queen.
We collapse together on a sleek white couch. I curl up into a ball as Stacy fills Chloe in on my dismal career move. Chloe’s silent for a moment, tapping away on her phone. After a second, she passes me her phone, a number already dialed on the screen.
“Whose number is this?” I ask suspiciously, half expecting her to tell me to start making business calls.
“Donovan gave me the number of the concierge downstairs. Our top priority today is pampering you. It’s all on Donovan. He said to order the most expensive, decadent, outrageous things we can imagine.” Chloe squeezes my hand. “I just want to take your mind off all this stress and remind you why you came to New York, the city where dreams come true.”
To be honest, she’s right. Lately, I’ve lost sight of why I moved here. I felt so worn down from the pressure of failing to achieve my dreams that I forgot how they started.
Sighing, I take the phone from Chloe mouthing a silent thank you.
How did I get so lucky to have these girls in my life?
I rattle off a list of menu items, my stomach already growling at the prospect of real food. I’ve been depriving myself of everything delicious for far too long. I suppose there’s no reason for that anymore. Even if I decide to continue to model, it’s going to be on my terms. No more starving myself to fit someone else’s idea of beautiful.
In less than thirty minutes, Chloe’s apartment is covered in plates of decadent food—lobster and chocolate covered strawberries and elegant mini cheesecakes. There are so many things here that I hadn't eaten in years trying to keep up a perfect figure, but today I don’t care Today I help myself to anything I want.
“I can’t believe this is your life, Chloe,” I say softly. I don’t know how many hours have passed, but the food and wine have begun to dwindle. “You’re so lucky.”
Chloe sidles over to me and wraps an arm around my shoulders. I can see a Chloe pep talk coming from a mile away. Stacy looks on, sucking the last bit of cheesecake off her fork.
“The reason I have all this now is because I refused to give up. I knew it was a long shot to get a job at Dunn Advertising, but I went for it anyway. I was willing to do anything to make that dream come true and eventually it did. It didn't happen overnight, Morgan. It took time and perseverance.”
“But I’ve put in so much time and perseverance already,” I mutter.
“Then you’re nearly there,” Stacy adds with a kind smile. “Please don’t give up on your dreams, Morgan. You’re beautiful and you’re going to be a success whether Hanson throws roadblocks in your way or not. This is what you’re meant to do. A face like yours is rare, and even more so is your heart. You work hard and you’re a good person. Keep that gorgeous nose to the grindstone and it will pay off.”
“A year ago, I never would’ve imagined I’d be sitting here with you two girls in my boyfriend’s penthouse. But here I am!” Chloe sighs with another gentle squeeze of my shoulders. “Who knows where you’ll be tomorrow? Just have a little faith, Morgan. And know that Stacy and I are here for you. We’ll support you for as long as you need.”
Tears well my eyes as my friends speak and I have to swipe the back of my hand hard against my cheek to stop from breaking down into a full-blow ugly cry. Their love is so clear that it makes my heart want to sing.
They’re right. I don’t really want to go home to Kansas. I can’t give up yet.
If modeling is what I want, then it’s what I’ll do. Tomorrow, I’ll start the hunt for a new agency, or perhaps I’ll freelance for a while, or maybe I’ll reevaluate my portfolio. There are avenues I haven’t explored yet, ones that Hanson won't be able to touch. And even if he does badmouth me, I’ll just be so damn good at my job that clients won’t have a choice but to hire me.
But today I’m just going to be grateful for my friends and I’m going to take my very full belly back home for a well-deserved nap.
“Thanks, girls,” I say, squeezing them tight. “I needed this. But I think it’s time I head home. I need to rest up so that I can start fresh tomorrow. It’s gonna be a long road, but you’re right, I’m not ready to give up.”
“You really mean it?” Chloe whispers enthusiastically. “You’re going to stay?”
I nod, laughing when the girls squeal in delight. I can’t imagine being without them. Plus, who knows, if I stay in the city maybe someday my mysterious rockstar and I will cross paths again. Even with everything I’ve been going through, he remains at the back of my mind, creeping in every time I try to sleep or distract myself from my failing career.