Page 70 of Fan Favorite

“Jealous?” Zo asked, nodding at the happy couple.

Edie considered. “Not really? Maybe. I don’t know.” She looked at Zo. “You?”

“I don’t get jealous.” Zo popped a cherry tomato into her mouth. “Bennett can get on this train or not. Either way I’m going.”

“Going where?”

“To the top.”

“The top of where?”

“Oh my god, Edie, are you brain damaged?” Zo dropped a carrot back on the tray in disgust. “I didn’t spend twenty years of my life dancing twelve hours a day, living off string cheese and almonds, not tobe someone. Maybe I can’t dance professionally, but I’m still a star.”

“I love that.”

“Don’t make fun of me.”

“I’m not making fun of you!” Edie joined Zo at the table. If anyone had what it took, it was Zo. “I’m serious—I think you’re fierce. How old are you anyway? Twenty-five?”

“Twenty-four.”

“Exactly. When I was twenty-four, I was wasting my time at dead-end jobs and having way too many Samantha Jones–inspired one-night stands that never—ever—turned out like Sam promised.” Edie shuddered at the memory. “I admire the way you know what you want. And that you’re not afraid to go get it.”

“Who’s Samantha Jones?”

Edie’s entire life flashed before her eyes.

“I’m kidding. We hadSex and the Cityin preschool, Grandma. But just so we’re clear”—Zo pointed a celery stick at Edie—“I don’t need you to admire me.”

“Of course you don’t.” But for the first time Edie wondered if Zodidcare about her opinion. “Don’t be so defensive. It’s not always a competition.”

“Wrong.The Key, Hollywood, ballet—it’s all the same. There’s only one spot at the top, and everyone wants it. And the people with heart will doanythingto get it.”

Maybe at the beginning Edie believed that, but now? Edie spent more time hanging out and laughing with the other contestants than she ever did with Charlie. “That sounds like some real ‘clear eyes, full hearts, can’t lose’ bullshit to me,” Edie said. “Don’t you think it’s more complicated than that?”

“Maybe you need more ambition.” Zo crossed her arms over her chest and looked at Edie thoughtfully. “You could do more, you know. I’ve seen you on the monitors. You’re good on camera. There’s something charming about you. Not hot, but charming.”

“Zo,” Edie paused dramatically. “Are we becomingfriends?”

“No.”

“We’re definitely friends.” Edie slung an arm around Zo’s tiny shoulders. “And since we’re besties now, I think I should tell you that there are a lot of rumors about just how far you’d go to get engaged to Bennett.”

Zo shrugged her off. “I’ve never lied about why I’m here.”

“So it’s true?”

“What?”

“You know what I mean…”

“Actually, I don’t.”

“God,” Edie said, exasperated. “I heard that you”—she made a circle out of one hand and stabbed it with a finger as she stage-whispered—“fucked him.”

“Oh, you did, did you?” Zo threw her head back and laughed. “Well, I’ll tell you a secret. We didn’t fuck because he came, like, the second I touched his dick.”

Edie gasped. “Shut. Up.”

---