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the announced divorce of the Harkers couple, the model has since disappeared. Rumor has it that the make-up giant Flawless and clothing designer Stephan Tolstov had both broken their contracts with her. Will Gemma Darlings rise again?
    “Rubbish,” Gemma muttered as she tossed the magazine on the counter. Of course, none of it was actual rubbish. There were pictures of her in the arms of her favorite photographer, Spencer was in the middle of a divorce, and she’d been fired from all of her contracts. The public might love a scandal, but no one wanted to be associated with the home wrecker. Spencer and his wife were a beloved duo in the photography world, and people couldn’t believe that Spencer would cheat on her.
    All it had taken was one picture for Gemma to go from beloved role model to the woman in red. And the hits had just kept on coming. Piled next to her on the counter were the bills with past-due notices. Her phone and her electricity would be cut off within days. If she didn’t find a way to make some money soon, they’d repossess her car and kick her out of her apartment.
    Her beloved apartment. Nestled on the California coast, it overlooked the majestic Pacific Ocean. She made a point to be home as much as possible so she could sit out on her deck and watch the sun set. The golds and reds across the horizon would shimmy and glitter across the cascading waves of the water. Growing up, she’d always wanted a beach view home, and this place was her crowning success. It was the trophy of all that she had accomplished, and she was going to lose it.
    “How the mighty do fall,” she murmured as she swept her hand across the counter angrily. The bills fluttered to the floor, and she had to fight back her tears. She blamed Spencer for this. It was all his fault.
    The phone rang, and she lunged for it. Normally it was only collection agencies calling for their money, but she never gave up hope that someone would want to work with her again. The name Elizabeth Towney danced across the screen. For a moment, she almost ignored it. Lizzie used to be one of her oldest friends, but they’d drifted apart with Gemma’s success. But this wasn’t the time to be ignoring contacts.
    “Lizzie,” she said in what she hoped was a delighted tone. “How are you?”
    “Hi Gemma,” she said cautiously. “I’m good. It’s been awhile. I’ve actually been in France for the past couple of months, and I just got back. My mailbox and voicemail is flooded with invites to do interviews about you. What the hell is going on?”
    Gemma narrowed her eyes. Lizzie wouldn’t actually agree to do those interviews, would she? They hadn’t talked in months, but surely she wouldn’t betray her like that. “Just a little scandal,” she said breezily. “Nothing to be concerned about.”
    “I read the article in Celebrity magazine. It seems like more than just a little scandal. Gemma, I know we’ve been a part for awhile, but I still love you, and now I’m concerned about you.”
    Feeling the tears prick her eyes, Gemma took a deep breath. She and Lizzie had been roommates back before Gemma had gotten famous. Together they’d waded through the life that was the scum of Los Angeles. Now she had no idea what Lizzie was doing with her life. What kind of friend was she?
    “I’m broke,” she admitted softly. “God, Lizzie, I’m about to lose everything. And I really don’t know what to do. Absolutely no one will hire me. I worked so hard, and now it’s all reduced to one stupid picture in a tabloid.”
    “Oh Gemma,” her friend exclaimed. “Come over. We’ll open up a bottle of wine and talk all about it.”
    Gemma sniffled and took a deep breath. “You don’t have to do that. I know I’ve been a shitty friend.”
    “Nonsense. You need someone, and I’m here for you. And that’s all that matters right now. I’d come there, but I’m up to my elbows in pasta. I’ll text you the address, and you can come sit and chat.