“Happiness keeps you healthy and I need to be healthy for you,” Amanda said. She was absolutely joking, but she knew her sickly sweet personality drove Dru crazy. Killing her slowly with kindness was part of her retirement plan. She set down the tray on Dru’s wide night table. “Here’s your breakfast when you’re ready. If you’re feeling up to it, Sage will meet you at the yoga studio in thirty minutes or I can call her and cancel.”

“No. I need to go. I’ve been in bed too long. My muscles are going to atropy.”

“Atrophy.”

“Whatever, you knew what I meant.”

“And I think it takes a little longer than a weekend for that to happen. I’ll text her and let her know you’re on your way.”

“Gee thanks, you’re the best, Mandy,” Dru said sarcastically, knowing full well how much she hated that nickname. Amanda let the insult slide off her back because she knew what came next. Dru pulled her soft purple blanket up to the bottom of her chin. “Tell the whole truth. Do I look that bad?”

“You look beautiful,” Amanda replied, and it was the truth. Dru’s stunning natural beauty was the thing that landed her on three successful television dramas back-to-back, a nearly unfathomable feat for a young Black actress in Hollywood, even if she was light skinned with green eyes. Currently she played an intergalactic vampire queen on the show Andromeda. Her character, Kalexa, was known throughout more than one universe for her stunning gaze and luscious lips. This morning, however, Her Majesty looked a little rough. Whatever bug had knocked her on her ass had done a number on her. Her edges could use a little control and her lips were dry, but most people would kill to look like Dru Anastasia even with a few bags under their eyes.

“I’d brush my teeth and throw in some lip gloss before I posted any selfies, but you’re still a ten.”

“Thanks. Please get out of my room.”

“Sure.”

Amanda grabbed the pile of dirty clothes off the floor and carried them down to the laundry room before she went to hop on her morning call with Kaidence. Sam’s laugh popped into her head as she made her way down to the other end of the apartment. She smiled to herself, thinking about the way he’d kissed her, the way he’d felt on top of her.

Today it didn’t matter how nasty Dru was or how many absurd tasks Kaidence threw her way. For one night, she’d gotten to be that girl, not just a D-list actress’s lowly assistant. The night she’d spent with Sam Pleasant might carry her to the end of the year. Or at least until the Teen Choice Awards.

Chapter 2

Chapter 2