I believe when faced with those moments, we should take the unknown path. The risk.
The excitement, the opportunity, the love . . .
The night I stumbled into a burlesque club in downtown Los Angeles, I took one of those paths and changed my life.
I found a home I’d never had with my own parents.
I found a confidence I’d never known as a prima ballerina.
I found my passion.
And it inadvertently led me back to the one moment I’d let slip away—to him.
To a love so pure and whole and carnal, I thought it could withstand anything.
But I’m not the only one with secrets.
Love
I like to think I’m a practical person.
Car stop working? Thank God for mechanic boyfriends.
Goldfish floating upside down? Well, I clearly shouldn’t have a fish.
Irrefutably attracted to one of my new roommates? I’ve lost my mind, obviously.
Did I mention my roommate is also a female? As well as the reason I’m in this house?
When I got my dream job at a Los Angeles hospital over six hundred miles away from home, I didn’t hesitate when another perfect offer fell into my lap.
Large house. Four other girls my age—one of whom is on the shift I’m coming into. Room for rent at a crazy low price.
Yes, please.
Except, now she’s in every part of my life, and I can’t keep telling myself I’m losing my mind.
Because her slow smirks and mesmerizing laugh make me want her in ways I shouldn’t. Her soft touches and earth-shattering kisses have me questioning everything I thought I knew.
But isn’t that why everyone comes to Los Angeles? Fame?
Then again, I’m from here.
And after years of paying my dues, all that fame and fortune was shoved at me with the promise of care for my family.
I’d grabbed for it without truly seeing what I was reaching for. Now I’m trapped in a role that owns my body and slowly steals pieces of my soul.
I wanted to be on camera . . . I never wanted this.
But when an intriguing stranger steps into my life, everything changes.
For the first time in so long, I feel alive—cherished and adored.
But as our stolen glances and secret smiles turn into shared nights and hidden passion, I know it’s only a matter of time before we fall apart.
Because he has no idea what I do for a living, and he works with my boss . . .
Now all my secrets are threatening to expose my deepest shame and ruin so much more than the façade I’ve fought to maintain.
