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“Anything else, boss lady?”
    â€œNope. Just close the door behind you.”
    Terrence obeyed and was gone. Theresa took a sip of coffee, put it down on the coffee table, and lightly slapped the top of her thighs, getting down to business. “So, what’s going on?”
    Monica fished the latest issue of Soap World out of her bag, handing it over to Theresa, whose eyebrows lifted when she saw the headline. “It gets worse. Read it.”
    Monica didn’t want to watch Theresa as she read it, so she busied herself by studying the walls of Theresa’s office. Athletes, politicians, restaurateurs, other actors—FM handled them all. She turned back to Theresa when she heard her close the magazine with a sigh.
    â€œIt’s not that bad. Seriously. They did a piece just like this on you when you started, remember?”
    â€œYeah, but they didn’t ask if I was the next so-and-so.”
    Theresa paused for another sip of coffee, studying her. “What upsets you most about this?”
    â€œThat she has no acting experience!” Monica hesitated. “And that it might not matter, that she still might . . . outshine me.” She looked down into her coffee. “You must think I’m really shallow.”
    â€œNo, I just think you’re a very popular actress, and no actress wants to be upstaged or risk losing her adoring public to someone else. And don’t forget: you do have an adoring public.”
    â€œI know.” It should have cheered Monica, but it didn’t.
    â€œYou have been MIA for a while,” Theresa said carefully. “Is anything wrong?”
    â€œJust tired.”
    Which was true, but it wasn’t the whole story. The fact was that until now, she didn’t feel like she had any juice left to give to the public, especially since—and here she felt like a horrible, bitchy snob—it wasn’t the public she’d always dreamed of having. Yet the minute her status was threatened, what did she do? Scurry off to her publicist so they could figure out a way to keep her prominent among soap fans. What a hypocrite.
    â€œWell, we need to get you untired and reinspired. Get you on board with some charity events, some film openings, have you seen dining in chichi restaurants. Doing some soap fan events would be good, too. But you already know all this, Monica.”
    Monica nodded, feeling mildly chastised, which she supposed she deserved.
    â€œWhat we really need, though, is to have you seen out and about with someone incredibly suave and gorgeous.” Theresa paused, biting down on the tip of her pen. “You ever hear of Eric Mitchell? He was just traded to the New York Blades. He was voted one of People magazine’s ‘Top Fifty Bachelors,’ and next week he’s going to be on the cover of New York magazine. I cannot tell you how hot this guy is right now, both in terms of popularity and looks.”
    Monica was horrified. “And I cannot tell you how obnoxious he is. He just did a cameo on the show. He was awful, Theresa. And he hit on me!”
    â€œSo you two already know each other—great!”
    â€œTheresa, I am not going out with Eric Mitchell. Seriously.”
    â€œI’m not asking you to get romantic with him. Just make people think you’re a couple. Be seen with him here and there for a while. People will eat it up: the actress and the pro athlete. The public will love it, and so will the execs at W and F , believe me. It’ll make great copy. Plus you’re both so gorgeous, everyone will love the eye candy.”
    Monica put her face in her hands. “Oh my God. I can’t believe you’re asking this of me.”
    â€œDo you want your name on people’s lips again or not?” Theresa asked, sounding irked. Why did Theresa always have to be so blunt? It was that Italian American thing. No beating around the bush. Call it like you see it.
    Monica lifted her head,