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no time to worry about that now. He had a “project” to finish.
    He pulled into the jail’s parking lot and checked his watch. Eight o’clock. His client should be up by now, he thought, climbing out of the car and then grabbing his briefcase. The petite woman had filled his thoughts throughout the preceding day. At times he’d wondered if she’d played him—all those copious tears—but she had seemed genuinely distraught. Not that he was a very good judge, Jon reminded himself. He could tell she was gorgeous underneath that sleazy garb and jailhouse grime, but he kept wondering how a woman who looked that good could fall so low.
    His sleep had been disturbed too, and her repeated appearance in his dreams had made him restless…restless and hard. He needed to get this quick-and-dirty case done and move on, he thought, and next time he’d find a man who needed his help.

4
    IF YOU CANNOT AFFORD AN ATTORNEY, ONE CAN BE PROVIDED TO YOU
    Beth had woken up early, the noise and hard floor making real sleep impossible. It felt like she’d lived in the jail for weeks rather than just two nights. It was only eight. It could be hours before her lawyer showed up, if he came back.
    There was nothing to do but wait…and think. She had surely hit rock bottom sitting here surrounded by prostitutes and drug addicts, but Beth knew she could go lower if she didn’t make some changes starting right now. It was time to grow up and take charge of her life. It was also time for her to be completely honest with herself.
    I am not going to make it as an actress. It’s not going to happen for me.
    So then what? Refusing to be defeated, Beth searched for something to hold on to, anything to make her feel better before she started bawling again in front of everyone. She seized on her one accomplishment since arriving in Tinseltown: she had taught herself to speak without an accent. She let herself feel proud for a moment—she had done that all on her own. Sitting a little straighter, Beth counted her other skills: she was a good waitress and smart, even if she hadn’t been behaving that way recently.
    With a spark of hope, she realized that by closing the door on her childish dream of stardom, she could move on and make a plan to better her life, starting with getting a decent waitressing job. It had taken the shock of finding herself in jail to realize just how low she’d allowed herself to fall. Next, she would resume preparing for her GED. She mentally patted herself on the back for having already bought a used study guide. Once she was free of this mess, studying would become her second most important goal. If she was really going to change her life, then improving her education had to be a priority, she decided. Last, she would officially change her name to Beth Sikes.
    â€œBreakfast time,” called the jailer, interrupting her musings. Everyone rushed to the bars to get their allotment of juice and a PB&J sandwich. When it was her turn, he added, “Your lawyer’s here now. You should be out any minute.”
    â€œThanks,” she replied.
    Returning to her seat, Beth felt better already. It was a new day and she had a new plan. It wasn’t much, but she could build on this small start to ultimately improve her life.
    After breakfast, Beth’s bail was finally posted. She was released and her belongings returned. She checked her purse, grateful to see her cell phone and money inside. Feeling dirtier than ever before in her life, she wanted a hot shower and something that wasn’t gross to eat.
    Mr. Bateman waited for her in the lobby. “Come on,” he called.
    As she walked toward him, Beth wondered how she could have labeled Bateman just “good-looking.” The man was gorgeous! She felt breathless and skittish in his presence. Worse, she felt even scuzzier standing next to her immaculately and finely dressed high-priced lawyer.
    As he led