Read Love Believes (Sully Point, Book 5) for Free Online

didn't."
    "I asked how it was going, you know, with you
and Beth."
    "I don't know how she just did that. I walked
in and she was...her hair...then the tablet..."
    "What?" Julia asked.
    "Somehow I ended up agreeing to try something
I said I'd never do. Very strange. I think I need lunch."
    He wandered out the door, still feeling rather
dazed. When he'd come to the door and seen her body all tight and firm as she
stretched and then when she threw her head back and all that luscious dark hair
waved around her shoulders...but, he couldn't be thinking of her that way! She
was an actress. But what a great smile she had.
    He got into his car and drove to the Lobster
Shack. They usually weren't very busy at lunch, and he didn't want to be
distracted by people. He needed to think. After ordering lobster bisque and a
salad, he sipped his tea and sat back. He couldn't help but hear voices from
two tables over.
    "Yes, that's right, she's Sam and Maggie's
sister."
    "You know what that means. She'll get the
lead."
    "Doesn't seem fair."
    "Well, she is supposed to be an
actress."
    "She'll probably sleep with the director,
that's what those actresses do."
    "I've heard that, too."
    He might not be sure how he felt about Beth Carter
being his assistant, but this was going too far. He got up and stalked over to
the table with the two women who were gossiping. He recognized Maelynne, but
not the other woman.
    "Mr. Christopher! I didn't see you come
in," Maelynne said, simpering.
    "Evidently you didn't realize you could be
overheard either. I am appalled that you would be gossiping about someone you
don't even know and saying she would sleep with the director, who happens to be
me! Madam, you are out of line. The profession of acting is a fine one, and a
woman does not need to bed anyone to get a part. Furthermore, the roles will be
filled by whoever gives the best auditions. From now on, please keep your mouth
shut about things you don't understand."
    "Well! I never!"
    He glared at her and she shut up, and he headed back
to his table. He felt justified in his righteous anger at Maelynne and hoped
he'd shut down the idiotic gossip. The two women left hurriedly, sending
furious glances at him. All in all, he decided the day was looking up.
    * * * *
    Maggie sat on one of the curved couches in Julia's
Place and ran a hand through her short disordered curls. Julia sat down across
from her and offered a plate of cookies.
    "Thanks! I'm ravenous today. I feel like I
must be having triplets, I'm eating so much all the time. So, tell me what
happened when they met," Maggie said and then took a large bite of
chocolate chip cookie.
    "You know how Mr. Christopher can be. He
seemed to be surprised by Beth, maybe her age? I'm not sure. But things didn't
seem to be getting off to a good start. Then they both went upstairs and next
thing I know he's shouting, and then she's shouting right back at him. I'm glad
she stood up to him. It all got very quiet, but Beth didn't come downstairs during
that time, so I'm assuming he didn't fire her as his assistant yet."
    "Good for her," Maggie said, around
another mouthful of cookie.
    "She came downstairs later and went out for
lunch, then he came down and looked, I don't know, kind of stunned. I wonder if
he's affected by her looks," Julia said, thoughtfully. "She's really
quite beautiful."
    "Her looks? We weren't looking to find her a
man, Julia. We just want her to enjoy working for him if that's possible, and
maybe learn more about her craft. And somewhere in all that I'm going to find
out what really drove her to leave L.A."
    Julia tilted her head to one side and her long
black hair slid across a shoulder to hang down by her face. "What do mean,
what 'drove' her?"
    "Listen, you can't tell me that she just
randomly came out here. She wouldn't leave L.A. even to come to my wedding! Now
suddenly out of the blue, she shows up. Something happened, I tell you,
something not good. But we can't push her. I do know that much