“Of course you do.” He took a sip of his coffee. “Like many creative people, you’re sensitive. You care what people think. You love the outdoors, and you’re naturally adventurous, but the life you’re living now has made you wary and afraid. You’re sure of your talents because you know you’re good at what you do, but despite that you worry that you’re not enough. Everything you do, you have to be best at because you think that’s the way to earn people’s respect and love. You didn’t feel that you were good enough as a daughter, and that created a lasting impact. It’s the reason you feel you haven’t been a good enough friend to Milly, even though it’s obvious that you’ve been a great friend, despite this recent blip. It’s the reason you’re afraid you won’t be good enough as a mother, when any child would be lucky to have you in their life. You’re trusting and loyal by nature, but people have betrayed and used you so many times you no longer dare to be who you really are.”

She swallowed, a little shaken by his insight. “I must have said a lot more last night than I remember saying.”

“How would it feel to just be yourself and not have to try so hard? You put all your effort into being the best, becoming a star, being big—but what would life look like if it was smaller? If the only people who cared what you do and think and eat for breakfast are the people who love you?”

She stared into her coffee cup. “There aren’t many of those.”

“I think you’ll find you’re wrong about that, but either way isn’t it better to live the life you choose rather than a life designed to please other people, whether it’s your mother or an audience?”

“Acting was my dream.”

“And in your case you made it a reality, but it doesn’t sound like much of a dream anymore. Maybe it’s time to find a new dream.” He finished his coffee. “It’s hard to give up something you’ve excelled at. I can see that. Why leave something when you’re at the top of your game? But if it’s no longer what you want to do, it’s okay to let it go. Move on to something new.”

“I wouldn’t even know what to do if I wasn’t an actor.” She toyed with her cup.

“From what you’ve said you still enjoy acting, so maybe you can do something lower-key. Milly always says how good you are with Zoe. Maybe you could run drama workshops.”

Milly had told him she was good with Zoe? That unexpected compliment raised her spirits a notch.

“Drama workshops? You mean for kids?”