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interrupted more than just a photo shoot. Instead of making a scene, though, I simply went into the bedroom and closed the door. I planned to confront Phil later when we were alone, but I didn’t get the chance. He left with the models to continue their party somewhere else.” Ariana paused. She swallowed hard and twisted her hands in her lap. It was difficult to continue, but she couldn’t leave her friends hanging.
    “I was so angry that when I saw Phil’s phone on the bedside table, I didn’t think twice about going through it. I’d never, ever done anything like that before. And I despised myself for stooping so low, but I was looking for proof that he cheated on me. I never expected to find a conversation between Phil and Marty, my agent, about their secret arrangement. Phil was getting a percentage of everything I made. I was his cash cow. We weren’t together because of love. It was for money.”
    Awkwardly, she cleared her throat. “I knew I couldn’t be the first woman he’d deceived. How many others had he gotten hooked on diet pills and worse? How many others were stripped of their beauty and maybe even their lives because of him? There was no way to know. But I knew one thing. I had to get out of there. Right then. Before he came home.”
    “That’s when you called me,” Zoe interjected. “You were so upset, the only words I could make out were Portland train station and 1:45 a.m.”
    Ari nodded, her mouth pulled down into a frown. “I could barely think, let alone speak. But I knew what I had to do…what I should have done months earlier. I had to go home.” Her bottom lip trembled, and she looked down at her hands. When she looked over at her friends a moment later, her eyes were blurred by tears. “That was the last time I saw Phil before tonight.”
    Katie smiled at her. “I’m proud of you—a small-town girl thrust into the big city and the modeling scene. You made a name for yourself. And your work was beautiful. No one can take that away from you. Not Phil, not anyone. You did it. You alone. Don’t lose sight of that, Ari.”
    “That’s right,” Zoe added. “You went through a nightmare, but your work was always tastefully done. You have nothing to be ashamed of. I have every one of your magazine covers, and I’ll cherish them always.”
    Ariana got up and went over to the couch to give Katie and Zoe a hug. “Thanks for listening. I’m so glad I have you guys.”
    “You know we’re always there for you,” Zoe said, hugging her back.
    “We love you.” Katie’s voice cracked a little from emotion.
    Ariana had teared up again when Tabby prowled into the room, squawking as usual. Happy for the reprieve, she said, “Oh, don’t tell me you’re hungry again.”
    “She’s really filled out.” Katie’s gazed was fixed on her round belly.
    “Yeah, she’s a happy cat, except when she’s begging for food.”
    “I know the feeling. I’ve never been one to turn down a meal.” Katie laughed and took her cell phone out of her pocket. “I better call Jake before it gets too late.” She headed down the hall toward the bedrooms.
    Ariana picked up Katie’s empty teacup along with her own and carried them into the kitchen, with Tabby close on her heels. A moment later, Zoe was beside her at the sink, rinsing her own cup. Both of them turned around when they heard Katie’s footsteps behind them.
    “Boy, that was a quick conversation,” Ariana remarked.
    A frown lined Katie’s forehead. “There was no answer.”
    “Maybe he already went to bed,” Zoe said.
    “Maybe.” Although, by the look on Katie’s face, it appeared she didn’t really believe that.
    Ariana hoped all was still well in paradise. As she reached in the cabinet for Tabby’s cat food, a cell phone rang. “There he is.”
    “That’s not my phone,” Katie said bitterly. “Isn’t that your phone on the table?”
    Who’d be calling her? She set down the cat food box and went over to the table. When