Then, as Sasha’s career exploded, Cassidy had been by her side, using her skills to run Sasha’s personal life and business schedule, something she’d done for her brother, Axel, a drummer, who also lived in LA. But despite Cassidy and Sasha’s professional relationship, their friendship came first, and Sasha felt like she’d known Cassidy forever.

Cassidy left the iPad on the table and joined Sasha, curling a leg beneath her on the bed. “When are we going to talk about it?”

“About what?” Sasha played dumb, but her friend wouldn’t accept her silence about Xander for much longer.

“When I met you, you were pretty broken up about the guy. Now you’re starring in a movie based on a book he wrote and he’ll be a consultant on set? You haven’t said one word about him since taking the part. I thought I’d wait until you were ready, but we’re leaving in the morning so… time’s up.” Cassidy treated Sasha to a pointed stare.

Sasha settled on the mattress near her friend, pushing aside the suitcase and resigning herself to the conversation she’d been avoiding. When she’d moved in with Cassidy, she’d been an emotional mess, and she’d had only herself to blame. She bit down on her cheek at the painful memory. At the time, she’d cried and gorged on ice cream, and Cassidy, even as a new friend, had been there, supporting her.

Sasha had explained everything about her relationship and breakup, and Cassidy had understood. She hadn’t judged her then and she wouldn’t now. Since Sasha intended to see Xander before she walked onto the set, she’d need a plan and some good, solid advice.

She drew a deep breath and slid her hand over the ruffles on her comforter. “You know that when I met Xander, I wasn’t in the right headspace for a relationship. I had goals I wanted to achieve. And I definitely didn’t see anyone like him coming into my life.”

She recalled being at a party at Raye Douglas’ home. Sasha had been invited by someone so low on the totem pole she’d been certain she’d be asked to leave or not allowed in. The house had been huge, a decorator’s dream, beyond anything Sasha had ever seen in her life, and the guests were household names.

She’d felt so out of place, and when the handsome guy with a military bearing strode up to her and began to make conversation, she’d been relieved to no longer be alone. The sparks flew from the moment they’d locked eyes as he’d approached. They ended up in a small corner area, sitting and talking for most of the night. Sasha had grabbed champagne glass after champagne glass off the passing caterers’ trays as they got to know each other.