The car slowed in front of the hotel.
Flashes popped outside the tinted window—white bursts of light, voices calling names.
“Emily, you good?" her manager asked.
Emily—Elizabeth—smoothed an invisible crease from her dress. “Define good," she said.
Rachel snorted. “On time, on brand, not throwing up. That kind of good."
“Then I'm perfect," Emily said.
“You know you don't have to do this," Rachel added quietly. “We could fake a fever. Turn around. The brand would survive."
Emily looked out at the glowing entrance, at the city skyline behind it. Familiar buildings cut a jagged line against the night.
“I didn't crawl my way here to hide in a hotel room," she said. “I'm fine."
Rachel held her gaze for a second, then nodded. “Okay," she said. “Let's go set the room on fire."
The door o
