Total pages in book: 29
Estimated words: 30055 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 150(@200wpm)___ 120(@250wpm)___ 100(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 30055 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 150(@200wpm)___ 120(@250wpm)___ 100(@300wpm)
I pass the test with flying colors, but fail a pop quiz when we near Times Square.
Straight ahead, the words “Tate & Associates” blare on a jumbo screen in bright white, right under the words, “Guilty of Being the #1 Defense Firm in the State.”
So, now he’s advertising…
Groaning, I pull out my cell phone and see several unanswered messages.
Mom
Hey…I need to talk to you. Can you call me back?
Please, Scarlett.
Jeneva
I left your tickets at the will-call window. (Be honest with me after the show. I can take it, promise :-) )
555-9768
What’s your new boyfriend’s name?
Does he know he’s touching what’s mine?
I delete the last two messages and place my mother on mute—again. If I ever have to do a coin toss between dealing with her or Jameson, she would win. Unfortunately.
“I think this is as close as I can get, Miss.” The driver’s voice cuts through my thoughts. “They’ve got the street blocked off for the theater losers again.”
“The who?” I look up.
“The theater losers.” He smiles. “Can you believe there are people in this life who get paid to prance around and play make believe on a stage all day?”
I blink.
“I’m not sure what’s worse,” he says. “The people who are performing or the people who pay to watch them.”
“Well, if you knew anything about...” I bite my lip instead of finishing my sentence. Getting into it with him isn’t worth it. “Thank you for the ride, sir.”
“If you change your mind about hanging out, I sent you my number in the app.” He winks at me as I step out.
Shutting the door, I sling my bag over my shoulder and rush down the block.
When I make it to Gershwin Theatre, I push my way through the swarming crowd and hold up my VIP pass to the security guard.
“Come through here, Miss.” He waves me through, and I make a beeline for the will-call window.
“Name?” The attendant asks.
“Scarlett Winters,” I say, still getting used to dropping my father’s name from everything I do.
“Here you are, Miss Winters.” She smiles, handing me a ticket. “Front row, seat seven.”
“Thank you.” I rush into the auditorium and take my seat.
Thirty minutes later, the lights dim and the world of Oz comes to life onstage.
And for the next two hours, my problems melt away as I watch Jeneva perfectly slip into the role of Glinda the Good Witch.
Tears well in my eyes at the final curtain, and someone from behind hands me a Kleenex.
“Thank you,” I say.
“My pleasure.” Jameson’s voice makes me suck in a breath.
I slowly turn around, and his beautiful eyes instantly meet mine. His chiseled jawline dares me to touch it again, and his scent…
I hold my breath so I won’t be lured to lean in and let it intoxicate me like it used to.
My memories haven’t done him justice in the slightest, and as a small smile crosses his lips, I almost forget that I despise him.
Standing up from my seat, I move toward the aisle and try to slip as far away from him as I can.
His presence follows me all the way to the lobby.
I manage to make it to the concessions, but he gently grabs my arm and pulls me across the room and into a corner.
Then he spins me around to face him.
I start to walk away, but the look in his eyes holds me still.
“So, you were never planning to call me again?”
“Were you?” I ask.
“Eventually, yes.”
“Let me guess,” I say, “when you were finished handling my father’s case?”
“Sometime next week.”
“So, you’re done with him?” I arch a brow. “He’s dropped?”
“Why isn’t your boyfriend sitting next to you?” He changes the subject. “He should know better.”
“He’s back in California.” I shrug. “I’m staying at his place in Los Angeles.”
He clenches his jaw. “I see…So, you’re fine?”
No. “I need to go tell my friend how amazing she was tonight,” I say.
“I’ll be here when you get done with that.”
No, I’ll be escaping through the back…
I step away from him and push my way through the crowd until I reach the hallway that leads backstage.
The cast is posing for pictures and raising champagne glasses to their first show.
I linger through the autographs and flowers until I finally catch Jeneva breaking free from the group.
“Hey! Jeneva!” I call out.
“Oh my god, Scarlett!” She rushes toward me, pulling me into a hug. “I was about to come looking for you. How did I do tonight? Be honest.”
“You were amazing,” I say. “Every scene was perfect, and I mean it.”
“My wig started to slip through my first solo song.”
“I didn’t notice at all.”
“Swear?” She furrows a brow. “What about the slight crack in my voice in the finale?”
“What crack?”
“Okay, I believe you now.” She pulls me into her arms again, hugging me even tighter. “I wish you didn’t have to leave tonight. I’d want you to go out to dinner with all of us.”