“Let’s go inside,” Lil said, waving a hand to open the sliding glass doors that led to the living room. “Samantha will be here in ten, and we’ve got to prepare. We go live in twenty.”

“Thanks for having me over.” Samantha stepped inside the stark penthouse and set down her overnight bag.

“Thanks for coming.” A fake smile on her lips, Lil led Sam to the great room, where we were lounging on cushy white couches. The space was wallpapered with screens that displayed a three-hundred-sixty-degree view of Los Angeles. Normally it felt like we were perched on a pedestal in the center of the city, but that night the screens were showing the movie Believe, and we were taking turns having our avatars star opposite heartthrob Jake Branson.

“Are you streaming right now?” Lil asked Sam.

“No,” she replied.

“Good. We’ll tell you when it’s time to go live,” Lil said. “Have a seat.”

“Okay.” Her knees shaking, Samantha lowered herself next to Dee.

“Mojito?” Lil asked.

“I’d love one,” Sam said, her excited voice echoing around the room.

My heart ached at how eager she was.

“How about for you, Ella?” Lil asked.

“No thanks,” I said, barely registering the question. I was too busy sweating, watching Lil bat at her prey. I rarely drank, anyway—I was too afraid of what might air on the Networks should my inhibitions be lowered.

Frowning at me, Lil picked up a pitcher and poured the limey cocktail into a sugar-rimmed glass. “We’ve noticed your numbers.” She handed the drink to Samantha. “Very impressive.”

Samantha beamed. Accepting the glass, she tucked a short blond lock behind her ear. “Thank you.”

“You should thank me,” Lil said. But then she covered the threat with a wide smile, replaced the glint in her eye with a sparkle. “I’m so happy you’re here. It’s going to be fun.”

A bell chimed.

“That must be Jax and Bryce,” Deena said, holding her palm toward the screen to pause the movie, then swiping across her face to switch the view in her AMPs to the front door. “I’ll get them.” Instead of gesturing to unlock and open the door, she leaped up, returning seconds later with Jax’s arm slung loosely over her shoulder.

“Hey,” Jax said to Lil, his baby blue eyes flashing against his tanned skin. “Is it cool if we shoot some hoops?” The VR game room housed a regulation-sized basketball court.

“That’s not why we invited you over.” Lil pouted.

“But it’s why we came over.” Bryce pretended to punch her arm. He was the shorter of the two, with dark hair and eyes, but they were both soccer stars and had the bodies to prove it.

She swatted him away. “I invited you over because we have a new friend.” She grinned at Samantha. “And I wanted to give her a proper welcome.”

Sam’s cheeks flushed under the thick layer of foundation matted to her face.

My stomach churned.

“Where’s Adam?” Lil asked.