Course of Action

COURSE

OF

ACTION

What Reviewers Say About Bold Strokes’ Authors

Kim Baldwin

“Her…crisply written action scenes, juxtaposition of plotlines, and smart dialogue make this a story the reader will absolutely enjoy and long remember.” – Arlene Germain, book reviewer for the Lambda Book Report and the Midwest Book Review

Rose Beecham

“…a mystery writer with a delightful sense of humor, as well as an eye for an interesting array of characters…” – MegaScene

“…her characters seem fully capable of walking away from the particulars of whodunit and engaging the reader in other aspects of their lives.” – Lambda Book Report

“…creates believable characters in compelling situations, with enough humor to provide effective counterpoint to the work of detecting.” – Bay Area Reporter

Jane Fletcher

“…a natural gift for rich storytelling and world-building…one of the best fantasy writers at work today.” – Jean Stewart, author of the Isis series

Radclyffe

“Powerful characters, engrossing plot, and intelligent writing…” – Cameron Abbott, author of To the Edge and An Inexpressible State of Grace

“…well-honed storytelling skills…solid prose and sure-handedness of the narrative…” – Elizabeth Flynn, Lambda Book Report

“…well-plotted…lovely romance...I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough!” – Ann Bannon, author of The Beebo Brinker Chronicles.

“…a consummate artist in crafting classic romance Þ ction…her numerous best selling works exemplify the splendor and power of Sapphic passion…” – Yvette Murray, PhD, Reader’s Raves

COURSE

OF

ACTION

by

GUN BROOKE

2005

COURSE OF ACTION

© 2004 By Gun Brooke. All Rights Reserved. ISBN 1-933110-22-8

This Trade Paperback Original Is Published By Bold Strokes Books, Inc., Philadelphia, Pa, USA

First Edition: June 2005, Bold Strokes Books, Inc.

THIS IS A WORK OF FICTION. NAMES, CHARACTERS, PLACES, AND INCIDENTS ARE THE PRODUCT OF THE AUTHOR’S IMAGINATION OR ARE USED FICTITIOUSLY. ANY RESEMBLANCE TO ACTUAL PERSONS, LIVING OR DEAD, BUSINESS ESTABLISHMENTS, EVENTS, OR LOCALES IS ENTIRELY COINCIDENTAL.

THIS BOOK, OR PARTS THEREOF, MAY NOT BE REPRODUCED IN ANY FORM WITHOUT PERMISSION.

Credits

Editors: Jennifer Knight and Shelley Thrasher

Executive Editor: Stacia Seaman

Production Design: Stacia Seaman

Cover Photos: Paula Tighe

Cover Design By Sheri (GRAPHICARTIST2020@HOTMAIL.COM)

Acknowledgments

I want to give credit to the wonderful people who took time out of their busy lives to help me complete this project. Their input, encouragement, and support made it possible for me to keep going.

I molded Kitty McNeill after Kat, student by day and chef by night, hailing from Hunter Valley, a few hours north of Sydney, Australia. She writes fan fiction and original fiction when her busy schedule allows, posting it to her Web site http://www.wolf-fic.com. She also will publish one of her short stories in Stolen Moments: Erotic Interludes 2 from Bold Strokes Books. Kat has an incredible sense of humor along with a refreshingly candid way of giving feedback.

Glynis is an Australian currently living in beautiful New Zealand. She posted a novel of her own, Melting Ice, last year and is now adding her latest, Counting the Cost, to her Web site, http://homepages. paradise.net.nz/glynisgriffinswriting/ This conscientious woman helps me with the hard bits that mean so much—advice about style, grammar, and spelling.

Wendy, an occupational therapist residing in Scotland, has served me several great ideas on a silver platter. Wendy writes when her muse suggests it, and her sense of humor is wickedly hilarious. Her stories can be found at http://www.gbrookefiction.com/fiction/wendys_fiction/

Jay, from Canada, and I frequently end up in discussions about what makes people tick. A lot of "what ifs" turned into plot ideas, which in turn developed into Course of Action. Jay's wacky sense of humor and energetic personality have many times helped me focus and keep writing.

At Bold Strokes Books:

Radclyffe, author and publisher—thank you, Rad, for believing in me.

Dr. Shelley Thrasher, editor, went over Course of Action with a fine-tooth comb, teaching me a lot in a friendly, professional manner. Her feedback and editing, delivered with heart and humor, enhanced this story. Shelley's skills and friendship mean so much to me.

Jennifer Knight, book doctor and editor, together with Shelley took me up a steep learning curve, teaching me invaluable lessons about building plot and characterization. Also, my thanks to Stacia Seaman, production editor, for proofreading and preparing my novel for print.

Dedication

Elon,

Without whom I would starve, literally and

metaphorically.

Malin & Henrik,

The greatest kids on the face of the earth.

My Warrior Princess,

Remember our deal; I keep you safe

and you save the world.

Lotta,

Your friendship and our sisterhood

mean everything to me.

I love you all.

Course of Action

Prologue

That role is mine! I am Diana Maddox!" Carolyn Black planted her hands on her agent's desk and stared at him like a chained panther defending a bloody meal. The meal in question was the hottest movie role on offer for an over-thirty actress since The Hours.

"I know you are, and so do all the fans," Grey Parker tried to reassure his best client. Carolyn had always been goal oriented and ambitious, but she seemed almost desperate over the new Supernova Productions feature. He could understand her agitation; at forty-five, she was staring down the barrels. Most actresses her age were already playing Mom in television movies of the week.

"You're my agent, and I pay you a lot of money," she hissed, abandoning his desk to pace the luxurious office. "I want this role. I have to have it."

"We don't have a script yet," Grey said in a soothing tone. "They're not casting until—"

"Oh, please. They're casting. Read the goddamned tabloids. Annelie Peterson is taking actresses to lunch. Sylvia Goodman was on E! News dropping hints." She stopped in her tracks and spun to face him, a signature move from her small-screen days as soap goddess Devon Harper. "I've earned this, Grey. I'm the one who should bring Diana Maddox to the big screen. Make it happen."

"Don't you worry about a thing, my dear." He masked an uncharacteristic lack of confidence. "Consider it done."

Chapter One

Annelie Peterson sipped her champagne and gazed down at the crowd thronging the ballroom below.

"I think we're a hit." She smiled at the boyish-looking man next to her.

Gregory Horton was the CEO of one of her companies and a trusted friend.

"Three hundred and fifty guests, a thousand dollars per plate." He rolled off the numbers with patent satisfaction. "And that's not counting the auction later. We should see half of that again with those first editions and the paintings. Of course it helps that you're the hostess—the woman everyone wants to meet."

Annelie shot her employee a mock glare. Gregory had worked for her for seven years, ever since she came to Florida, and they shared an easygoing camaraderie as well as a smooth work relationship. In his early thirties, like herself, he looked more like a surfer than a seasoned executive. His unruly blond hair attracted the attention of both men and woman, as did his green eyes and broad smile.

"We should mingle," he continued. "It'll pay to shake some people's hands before we sit down to dinner."

Annelie sighed. The mingling was the tough part. She would never get used to the kind of meaningless exchanges and air-kissing that went on at charity galas like this one. But she had spent six months planning the event for the Nebula Circle, a philanthropic trust she had established several years ago. A little mingling wouldn't kill her.

Pulling at the skirt of her ice blue Ungaro evening dress, she walked through the crowd, smiling faintly as she shook hands. She had met very few of these people personally, as she normally kept a low profile, but most of them seemed to know who she was—A. M.

Peterson, the owner of Key Line Publishing Inc., the woman whose empire was growing so fast Fortune magazine had labeled her the next Ted Turner. Annelie wondered if she would ever get used to people regarding her with awe—and if she did, what that would say about the person she had become.

Certainly the large mirrors lining the ballroom walls confirmed that she looked the part. The softly flowing dress fit her like a glove, and a chignon covered with a white gold web of diamonds held back her long blond hair. Annelie disliked rings and never wore any, but a breathtaking diamond necklace drew attention to her plunging neckline, and a matching bracelet encircled her right wrist. She was taller than most women and some of the men there but kept her head high, a posture she had perfected along with the rest of her carefully constructed public image.

Annelie continued to work her way through the glamorously dressed crowd. Being used to men staring at her curvaceous body, she ignored their stares yet greeted each man politely. The envious looks from some of the women disappeared when they discovered she was just as friendly toward them.

When she finally reached the other end of the hallway and scanned the crowd for Gregory, she noticed him talking to a couple and recognized the woman standing to his left. Carolyn Black wore an elegant black dress decorated with a cascade of rhinestones stretching from her left shoulder down around her waist and onto the form-fitting skirt. Her auburn hair was intricately piled on top of her head, with thin tresses caressing her neck. The actress had an obvious, quite overwhelming, charisma, which clearly held all around her captive and made Annelie catch her breath as she approached.

Gregory performed the introductions, and Annelie shook hands with Carolyn and the man she was with, Jared Garrison. As they exchanged pleasantries, she wondered if the rumors about Carolyn and Jared were true. They didn't look like lovers, but Annelie wasn't sure what gave her that impression.

"We're delighted your audio version of the Diana Maddox books has become so successful, Ms. Black," she said, thinking how young the actress seemed. Carolyn's flawless skin, lightly dusted with freckles, looked satiny smooth. Her steady blue-gray eyes, able to portray any emotion required on stage or screen, swept Annelie up and down.

"Well, thank you. And please, call me Carolyn," she said in the low, smoky voice that had convinced Annelie to hire her for the audiobooks. "Of course the role came very naturally to me. I think, in many ways, Diana and I are kindred spirits."

Annelie smiled inwardly. The actress might as well have announced her interest in the film role on a foghorn. "Your voice was perfect," she said. "I knew it would be after I saw you in The Greenhouse three years ago."

Carolyn's mouth stretched into a brilliant smile. "You handled the casting decision personally?"

"Of course. The Diana Maddox books are pivotal to my company."

"And you're planning to bring them to the screen now. How brave of you after the V. I. Warshawski fiasco."

A warning shot? Either Carolyn really cared about the character or she wanted it to seem that way. "Well, I haven't hired a moron to direct my film or hacks to write the screenplay," Annelie said coolly. Was it her imagination, or was this actress actually interviewing her— assessing her competence to extend the Diana Maddox franchise onto the screen?

Carolyn's expression was serenely self-possessed. "I'm sure, if you can attach the right cast, you'll have the distributors eating from your hand."

"Thanks." Annelie was aware her voice held an edge of sarcasm. She wasn't accustomed to having anyone imply she might lack the skills to pull off a project. Mildly irritated, she steered the conversation back to social pleasantries. "I'm so glad you could be here tonight. What are you doing in Florida, by the way? Are you filming here?"

"No, I've just closed a play in New York, and I need a break. So I'm reading a few scripts and spending some quality time with Jared."

Apparently Jared Garrison had missed the change of topic. "Do you have anyone in mind for Maddox yet?" he asked Annelie, oblivious to his date's unmistakable glare. "I hear there's a lot of interest. Even Meryl Streep and Sally Field."

Annelie had to hide a smile. She knew Jared professionally. The good-looking lawyer was a senior partner at a firm that did pro bono work for Nebula Circle clients. Her charity focused on children born with HIV and shelters for women, so they always needed volunteer legal help. She'd had no idea Jared was involved with Carolyn Black until she'd read some gossip recently. For a moment she pitied him. The actress had a reputation for chewing men up and spitting them out.

Annelie smirked faintly. "I don't see either Streep or Field as a potential Diana Maddox," she told him. "They're wonderful actresses but not the right age, to start with."

She could almost hear the wheels turning inside Carolyn's head, but the perfect face revealed nothing. Sweeping a quick assessing look around, she made an expansive gesture and projected her voice as only a Broadway star could, declaring, "Wonderful night, Annelie. I'm so glad I could come." She took Jared's arm. "Now I really mustn't keep you from your guests. Perhaps we'll chat later."

By some strange magic the crowd parted as she moved through it, people turning to gaze at her, a few even clapping. Annelie was astounded to see even the most sophisticated of her guests looking starstruck at a smile or nod from Carolyn Black. If the woman was trying to make a point, she'd succeeded. She was the consummate performer. A star.

But was she Diana Maddox? Annelie had her doubts.

***

"You look like the cat that ate the proverbial canary," Gregory remarked as he followed Annelie off the stage after the auction.

"I'm overwhelmed," Annelie said, checking her Palm Pilot. "Someone paid $12,000 for those signed first editions of the Diana Maddox books."

Gregory grinned. "Yup, and that was none other than Diana Maddox herself, or should I say, Carolyn Black. She must want the part in the worst way."

"Gregory! Behave."

"Don't look now, but she's on her way over here. Don't make any promises you can't keep."

Annelie turned around and saw Carolyn approaching, this time without her date.

"Annelie." The throaty voice seemed to caress her name, making Annelie shiver. "I wanted to thank you for this evening. It looks like all your hard work paid off."

"I'm thrilled," Annelie said. "And everything will go directly to the children we're supporting. The hotel even donated the ballroom."

"That's wonderful."

"Your bid was extremely generous. It was very kind of you."

"You're welcome."

Carolyn wasn't going to ask about the Diana Maddox role. Annelie admired the actress's steely nerve. It wasn't often she encountered a woman with as much strength of mind as she herself possessed. She could sense that strength in Carolyn and was drawn to it. "How long will you be in Florida?" she asked.

"I'm due back in New York in two weeks."

"Are you staying in the city?"

"I'm at Jared's condo on Bal Harbour. I was hoping to swim every day since that's my favorite way to exercise. But the wind has been too strong." Carolyn smiled with faint self-deprecation. "I'm so used to swimming pools that I find the large waves intimidating."

Annelie reached into her small purse for a business card, an idea taking rapid shape in her mind. "Tell you what. I live near Jared, on Golden Beach. You're more than welcome to come use my pool. I'll leave word at the gate that you're on my guest list." A small, wry smile lifted her mouth. "Needless to say, that's a very short list."

Carolyn's eyes widened, and Annelie could hear Gregory cough in surprise behind her.

"That's very generous." Carolyn said. "I don't want to impose—"

"You're not. I promise. Any day is fine. My housekeeper will let you in. She's off on Sundays and Mondays, but I'm usually home till lunch then."

Carolyn's polite hesitance vanished. "So, would tomorrow be all right?"

Annelie smiled at the unabashed question. Being rather direct herself, she found Carolyn's manner refreshing. "Sure, why don't you come around eleven? We could have lunch afterward."

"Are you sure it isn't too much trouble?" Carolyn briefly touched Annelie's arm. "I mean, after tonight and everything?"

"Quite sure."

Gregory coughed again, but Annelie ignored him.

"I'll see you tomorrow, then." Carolyn looked delighted. "Good night."

As the actress vanished into the sea of departing guests, a soft male voice behind Annelie inquired, "What are you doing?"

"Running my business."

Gregory seemed unimpressed. "You're going to offer her the part?"

"No. I'm going to make it very attractive for her to agree to terminate the audiobook contract."

Gregory frowned. "Why? The sales have been huge."

"Once I have an actress playing Maddox on screen, we'll need to rejacket all the print books and redo sound on the audio series for the Diana character. I want the same actress doing everything. It's the only thing that makes sense, and our marketing people agree."

Gregory grimaced. "You can't seriously imagine Carolyn Black is going to take that lying down. She won't terminate. She'll sue."

"We'll see." Annelie said. "I can be very persuasive."

Gregory put his arm around her waist and gave her a quick squeeze. "Just be careful. Promise me that."

She smiled at him over her shoulder. "I promise."

***

"Did you remember to call Beth back?" Jared pulled out into the night traffic.

Carolyn groaned. "No, I forgot. I was running late but that's no excuse. Did she say what's up?"

Beth, her eleven-years-younger sister, was a nurse, far from Carolyn's glamorous world. Married for six years, she and her husband, Joe, lived in D.C. with their four-year-old daughter, Pamela.

"No, just that she needed to talk to you about something. It didn't sound like an emergency."

Carolyn leaned back, resting her head. A familiar throbbing in her temples made her reach for her purse and pull out a nasal spray. If she disregarded the early symptoms, the throbbing would inevitably escalate into a full-blown migraine attack, incapacitating her for several days. She took her medicine, noticing Jared's concerned glance in her direction.

"Are you okay?"

"I'll be fine. Just a precaution." Carolyn gave a muted sigh. She needed to relax; she was tired after doing six performances a week for eleven months. If she wasn't careful she would end up with permanent bags under her eyes.

"Heard from your brother lately?"

"No, not in a while. He's into one of his creative spells, I think. If my sister-in-law didn't drag him to my shows, he'd never get around to watching any of my work."

"You go to every one of his exhibitions."

Carolyn chuckled at the implied criticism. "That's different. John is a genius. It's my duty to admire him, even if I think his sculptures look like deformed pieces of junk."

Jared shook his head. "You can try to sound sarcastic, but it's not working. I know you're proud of him."

Carolyn smiled. "Yes, I am."

She had been twelve years old when their mother died, hit by a car while crossing the street. John was six and baby Elisabeth just eleven months. Their father had lost his moorings when his beautiful, vibrant wife was killed, and Carolyn had soon found herself in her mother's role, taking care of her siblings.

Shawn Black had suffered a massive heart attack when Carolyn was twenty-one, and she'd dropped out of college to look after her teenaged brother and young sister. Life had been a struggle, but she had never regretted making that choice. Even now, she was proud that she'd been able to raise John and Beth without help from anyone.

Jared pulled into the parking lot beneath the large apartment building where his ocean-view condo was. After they took the elevator up to the fifth floor, Carolyn leaned against the wall and closed her eyes briefly as he unlocked the door.

"Some evening," she mused. "I don't think I've been in a room with so many people dressed fit to kill since the Golden Globes."

"Half of Palm Beach was there." Jared sounded admiring. "Annelie knows how to raise money, and she's passionate about those kids. I heard she even volunteers at the hospital when one of them is admitted."

"Remarkable," Carolyn said. "I'm amazed she invited me to use her pool while I'm here."

Jared stopped on his way to the kitchen and faced her. "I've got to admit I'm curious about two things—her motives for inviting you, and yours, for going."

"To swim, of course," Carolyn said lightly. She could see Jared wasn't buying. He knew her too well to accept the explanation at face value.

"Carolyn," he chided. "Since when did you share your precious private life, unless there's a payoff?"

"I spend hours with you, don't I?"

He laughed. "We both know it's very convenient for you to have our names linked in the media. Like I said, there's always a payoff."

Carolyn produced a mock-innocent shrug. "If it helps Annelie Peterson see I'm the only sane choice for Diana Maddox, I'll be thrilled to swim in her pool as often as it takes."

"Are you sure you really want to do this?" Jared looked uneasy.

"What do you mean?"

"It's a well-known secret that Annelie Peterson is a lesbian."

Carolyn blinked. "Are you sure?"

"As sure as I can be without actually asking her to her face."

Carolyn pictured the tall blonde in her blue dress, moving with perfect grace from one person to another in the marble hallway of the hotel, shaking hands, smiling. Her jewelry had sparkled but hadn't managed to draw attention from her ice blue eyes or her melodious alto voice. Annelie was not just attractive, she was stunningly beautiful. And gay?

"Carolyn?"

She raised an eyebrow. "If you're waiting for me to be shocked, don't hold your breath. I work in show business, for heaven's sake!"

Jared gave her a pointed stare. "Actually, I was waiting for the announcement about how you plan on using the information to your advantage."

A flash of anger burned through the effect of her medication. Feeling her left temple begin to throb again, Carolyn glared at him. "Thanks a lot. You make me sound like a callous bitch."

"You're nothing of the kind. You're a wonderful bitch."

"You horrible man," she muttered. "You make me so angry sometimes." She rubbed her temple.

"Only because I see you the way you are, and not the way you want to be seen. You're very good at playing Carolyn Black. It's the role of a lifetime, if you ask me."

He was an unbearable tease. Still, she felt herself relax as he put his arm around her shoulders and ushered her into the kitchen. "Let me make it up to you with a café latte," he said. "You're the only person I know who sleeps better after a healthy dose of caffeine."

Carolyn perched on a stool next to the kitchen counter, watching as he ground aromatic coffee beans. "Tell me something. What did you mean when you said you were curious about her motives for inviting me?" she asked.

Jared placed a cup in the espresso machine. "Does she want to get to know you before she decides whether to offer you the role? Or is there some other agenda?"

"Such as?"

"You'll have to ask her. But if I were a lesbian, I'd probably enjoy having you swim in my pool." He handed Carolyn her latte.

She sipped it with a show of nonchalance. Could Annelie Peterson be attracted to her? If so, she wouldn't be the first lesbian Carolyn had had to politely discourage. On the other hand, this could be exactly the opportunity she needed. If there was one thing show business had taught her, it was how to convert lust into an acting contract.

***

Annelie stepped out of her blue dress and hung it carefully before taking off her lace underwear and putting on a white terry-cloth robe. She walked outside and switched on the jets in the Jacuzzi, dropped the robe on a garden chair, and climbed into the hot water. Screened from view by palm trees and high walls, her hot tub was located directly off the patio near the swimming pool. Annelie loved the sense of being in her own little world, naked outdoors. With a contented sigh, she leaned back and gazed up at the starry sky, amazed at how close it always seemed. This was one of the things she loved about Florida—in New York, you could barely make out the constellations because of the bright city lights.

Shifting in the water, she allowed the jets to reach every part of her body, teasing and caressing her flesh, rippling along the entire length of her spine like a thousand tiny kisses. Steady blue-gray eyes and auburn hair invaded her thoughts, and she closed her eyes, not surprised that Carolyn Black had lodged in her mind. The actress was more than a famous beauty; she was devastatingly sexy. Something about the way she moved, and the way she looked at Annelie, unsettled her in a way she was not used to. Face-to-face, Carolyn had made her feel like she was the only person in the room, nailing her with those amazing eyes, pulling her in and claiming all of her attention. It had taken an effort for Annelie to remain calm, at least outwardly, and just thinking about the encounter still made her heart hammer in her chest.

She wondered if Carolyn knew she was a lesbian. Annelie realized people automatically assumed she was gay just because she published an extensive range of widely successful lesbian books and never used token males as escorts to any of the functions she attended. It was not something she attempted to keep a secret, but she was not officially out either. Reserved by nature, she neither confirmed nor denied her sexual preference to anyone. It simply wasn't anybody else's business.

Annelie hadn't reached her present position in society overnight. Winning one of the largest ever multistate Powerball lotteries nine years ago had altered her life forever. After surviving the media circus with its interviews, followed by the obligatory letters and phone calls from begging strangers and acquaintances, she'd decided to drop below the radar.

Assuming her Swedish mother's maiden name, she'd moved to New York, living in Manhattan for two years while she attended Barnard College's Comparative Literature Program. During that period, she'd learned how to move among the rich and famous as if she belonged, taking lessons in deportment and public speaking. A regime of beauty treatments, massages, and regular visits to the gym changed her looks and movements.

The girl who had once been Annie Clint, bank-office clerk during the day to help pay for her literature studies in the evenings, became Annelie Peterson, businesswoman. She started a call center named Quasar Inc. at the beginning of the outsourcing boom. The business rapidly become so successful she was able to sell it at a handsome profit and look for a new business opportunity, something less crazy. Annelie never spoke about her past and had confided the truth to only three of her best friends, knowing they would never betray her. She'd learned a few difficult lessons early on, especially that people treated her differently because of her money and few had genuine motives.

As she arched her back, she tilted her head into the Jacuzzi, allowing the jets to massage her scalp. Her naked breasts rose above the surface, her nipples pebbling in the humid night air. Shivering slightly, she sank once more into the seductive warmth of the water and released a satisfied moan. She had never regretted her decision to move on. Much as she'd loved Manhattan, she had longed for a slower pace. Having visited Florida several times and fallen in love with the cosmopolitan way of life in Miami, she decided to make it her home.

She bought a medium-sized publishing company, Key Line Publishing, and promptly branched out from nonfiction and children's books to publish gay and lesbian literature as well as mainstream novels. Her strategy paid off, soon making Key Line a thorn in the sides of the industry heavyweights.

Annelie returned to her condo in New York periodically, enjoying catching up with her friends. She kept a close check on the business endeavors she was still involved with and also worked with several charity organizations. Most of her fortune remained tied up in a wide stock and bond portfolio, and under the auspices of her savvy investment manager, her net worth had almost quadrupled since her lottery win.

Annelie did not flaunt her wealth the way many of Miami's newly rich did. Her financial status made her the target of opportunists, and showing up on Forbes's list of businesswomen of influence was no help. It was always a struggle to balance her need for privacy, which sometimes led to inadvertent solitude, with her need to do business effectively and provide active support to the charity organizations she had endowed.

Turning in the water, she pushed herself up over the side of the Jacuzzi, then into the swimming pool, needing to cool down. The hot water in the whirlpool was soothing, but it also made her lethargic if she wasn't careful. She swam over to the other side of the pool, completely submerged, relishing the water's silken chill against her flesh. When she reached the ladder, she climbed up and sat on the ledge, wringing out her hair as the balmy night once more surrounded her.

Droplets ran down her arms, glistening against her pale skin as they followed the rounded curve of her full breasts. They stopped at the puckered skin of her nipples, and the cooling effect of the water made her shiver. Annelie smoothed the rivulets away, running her hands over her body. The touch was oddly soothing, yet had a bittersweet tinge to it. She rarely felt lonely, but tonight she was all too aware of what was missing in her very full life. Suddenly Carolyn's eyes were there again, looking at her, her head slightly tilted as if Annelie were the most interesting, worthwhile person in the world. Not quite sure why the image of the actress was etched on her retina, she envisioned the smaller woman dressed in that elegant black evening gown, the rhinestones accentuating her figure. In person, she was everything Annelie had imagined, maybe even more.

Disregarding a sudden twinge deep inside, Annelie got to her feet and padded over to the Jacuzzi to turn off the jets. A set of patio doors opened from her bedroom, and she picked up her robe and went through these, heading for her bathroom. After a quick shower, she dried her hair and brushed her teeth before sliding into bed. For a moment, she lay completely still, enjoying the feeling of the crisp linen against her naked body; then she set her alarm for six thirty. She had a lot of work to do before Carolyn arrived to use the pool and she wanted to be clearheaded for this visit, so she could not afford to oversleep.

She hugged a pillow tight as she curled up beneath the covers, letting her mind wander to Carolyn Black once more. The actress had done a lot for Key Line, playing the role of criminal investigator Diana Maddox in their hugely successful audiobook series. It was hardly surprising that she saw herself as the logical choice for the lead in the movie.

Annelie's stomach clenched at the thought of having to disappoint her. Carolyn obviously wanted the role, and she had the necessary acting credentials. She'd won a Tony in her younger years and various film awards later in her career. But her impressive record cut little ice with Annelie's potential distributors. They'd already decided a younger star would have more box office appeal and had their sights set on Sylvia Goodman, an up-and-coming actress who'd attracted attention for her supporting roles in several major films. The fact that Diana Maddox was forty plus in the novels made no difference. In screen adaptations, everything was up for grabs.

Fastening her grip around her pillow, Annelie sighed. She was trying to keep an open mind about Goodman. The tall, fair-haired beauty had been pronounced the new Sally Field by some gushy columnists, and she certainly had the right look for Maddox when she wore a dark wig as she had in several recent supporting roles. Still, in Annelie's mind she lacked certain key sensibilities Carolyn Black possessed in abundance. Carolyn brought maturity and dimension to her roles that few younger actresses could equal. But what did that really buy these days? Audiences had been trained to accept shallow performances as long as a movie was exciting and delivered some titillating sex scenes. Annelie wanted to make more than one Maddox film, so everything depended on how the critics and the audience received the first movie. As far as she could see, sacrificing Carolyn for Sylvia came down to simple pragmatism. Annelie didn't have the luxury of indulging her own personal preferences; too much was at stake.

***

Carolyn reached for the phone, automatically checking the bedside clock. Her heart leapt into her throat when she saw the caller ID. What was her younger sister doing calling at two in the morning?

"Beth? Are you all right?"

"I'm fine. Really." Her voice was high-pitched. "Sorry to call you so late, but I just couldn't wait to tell you."

"It's okay." Carolyn elbowed herself upright. She could hear a male in the background, her sister's husband Joe.

"I'm pregnant!" Beth's voice cracked, and she started to cry.

"Oh, honey. That's wonderful! I'm so happy for you and Joe."

After a muted rattle, her brother-in-law started talking. "Hi, Carolyn. Beth just got a little emotional. She'll be fine, but I wish she could've waited until tomorrow to tell you."

The actress felt a pang of guilt for not remembering to return Beth's call earlier. "Is everything okay with her and the baby? When did you find out?"

"This morning. Everything seems normal this time. But she's only six weeks pregnant, so she's nervous. We both are."

"I know." Beth had suffered two miscarriages in a row, both in her eighth week. After the second, she had fallen into a deep depression. "Put her back on, would you, darling," Carolyn said, thinking quickly.

"I'm here." Beth's voice seemed a little stronger.

"Beth, honey, listen to me. Why don't you take a leave of absence until you're past the first trimester? I'll help with the bills. You and the baby are all that really matter right now. Please, kiddo?"

"Oh, Lyn. I don't think Joe would like that, but thanks anyway."

"Talk to him. Joe only wants what's best for you. He knows this isn't about his pride. Please."

"All right." Beth paused. "You're happy for me, aren't you? You don't think I'm asking for trouble, trying again?"

Carolyn's heart almost broke at the tentative voice of her little sister. Beth had needed her more than ever when their father died. She was only ten and heading for puberty. A cousin of their father had offered to raise the young girl but was not interested in their teenaged brother John. Not about to let anyone break up what remained of her family, Carolyn resisted and became her younger siblings' legal guardian.

She had carried the burden of supporting them on far too narrow shoulders. Maintaining their childhood home swallowed most of the monthly allowance from her father's life insurance, and she'd constantly hunted for part-time work until she landed the daytime soap role that had launched her career.

Like her, her brother John grew up too quickly, and she sometimes thought this was why his behavior was so often spoiled and childish now. Beth was different. Always interested in and proud of Carolyn's professional achievements, her warmhearted sister made it clear in her unaffected way that she loved Carolyn deeply regardless of her star status. The fact that her sister was now a grown woman of thirty-four didn't matter. Carolyn still felt responsible.

"I'm delighted for you, honey," she said. "Now you be careful and take good care of yourself. I promise to be better at keeping my cellphone battery charged in case you need me, all right?"

"All right. Thank you, Lyn."

"Don't be silly. You'd do the same for me, and more."

"In case you became pregnant, you mean?" Beth teased with a glimpse of her normally wicked sense of humor.

"Smart-ass."

They continued some of their usual sisterly bantering, easing the mood.

After hanging up, Carolyn curled onto her side. Her neck and her temples hurt a bit, so she was relieved to be swimming tomorrow. It usually kept her headaches at bay. Yet again she wondered why Annelie had invited her. She had no trouble picturing the statuesque blonde. Annelie had looked down at her, masking whatever was going on behind those pale blue eyes. Carolyn sensed something was on Annelie's mind, a special reason the publisher was making her welcome this way. It had to be the movie.

This was her chance, her shot at proving they didn't need to consider anyone else for the role. Surely it was obvious to Peterson— and if not, could it be all that hard to make her see reason? The readers already knew Maddox's voice through the audiobooks; they already identified her as Maddox. She wondered about her competition. Could Supernova seriously be considering anyone else? Whoever it was, she had to convince Annelie no one else could do Diana Maddox justice. She was the one. And she would not be going home without the role.

Chapter Two

Carolyn lowered the backseat window as the cab stopped at the gate and the security guard stepped out of the booth.

"Carolyn Black. Annelie Peterson is expecting me."

The guard ducked back into the booth, then motioned the cabdriver through the gate.

Looking around the exclusive residential area, Carolyn saw several different types of architecture. Most of the houses were either white or pastel and screened by large palm trees. The torpid Miami heat was already gathering, and she could hardly wait to get into the pool.

The cab stopped at the end of a cul-de-sac at a large white house set back from the road in a lush tropical garden. With its tall windows creating an exciting façade, the house seemed to wrap around its semicircular driveway. A brand-new-looking, red vintage sixties Ford Mustang sat in front of the house. She glanced to the right, spotting a vast garage with a garage apartment.

The grounds were enclosed by a high concrete wall punctuated with ornate black wrought iron. Carolyn raised an eyebrow, thinking about Jared's comments. Annelie was obviously a very private person. Was her rumored lesbianism the main reason, or was she one of those wealthy people who preferred to keep the world at arm's length? Either way, it was amazing that she'd invited Carolyn here, and little wonder Jared was speculating on her motives.

Carolyn paid the cabbie and stepped out into the Florida humidity, tossing her bag over her shoulder. Dressed in white city shorts and a light yellow tank top, she walked up to the gate and rang the bell.

"Carolyn," Annelie's voice sounded from a nearby speaker. "The gate's open."

Annelie appeared at the front door before Carolyn reached it. She looked relaxed and casual, sporting a modest ponytail, an azure blue T-shirt, and black shorts.

"Welcome. Come on in and have something to drink before you change. It's even hotter today, isn't it?"

"It sure is. What a difference from New York this time of year!"

Carolyn followed Annelie inside, looking curiously around the hallway. A blue, white, and black Persian rug adorned the oak parquet in front of the large living room's entryway, which was flanked by four-feet-tall Chinese urns full of decorative reeds.

Annelie led Carolyn into her French country-style kitchen. Opening the refrigerator, she glanced back over her shoulder. "What can I get you, Carolyn?"

"Any mineral water is fine, thanks."

Annelie pulled out two bottles of Perrier, opened them, and poured them over tall glasses full of ice. "Here you go. This'll cool you off."

Carolyn sipped the water while peering at Annelie over the rim of the glass. The younger woman looked impeccable even dressed like this, in the privacy of her own home. Her pale skin suggested she didn't sunbathe, and her lean muscles showed she was in good shape.

"You can change in my spare bedroom. Let me show you where it is. While you're in the pool, I'll go through my e-mails and then we can have lunch. How does that sound?"

"Excellent." Carolyn followed Annelie through the kitchen and out into another, smaller, hallway.

"You can reach the patio and the pool through that door. There's a guest bathroom with extra towels if you need some. I'll be out there with my laptop."

The room was a dream in blue, white, and gold. A soft carpet covered the floor, thick enough to almost hide her toes when she took off her sneakers. Carolyn changed quickly into her black swimsuit, checked her makeup, and grabbed a towel from her bag. Twisting her shoulder-length hair up with a large hair clip, she slid the glass door open and walked outside.

The large, multileveled stone patio held several tables surrounded by chairs. Closer to the pool stood six deck chairs with thick cushions. Annelie occupied one of them, a laptop sitting on a low tray table on wheels pulled across her legs. Off-white parasols provided shade.

The pool was large and rectangular, with an octagonal Jacuzzi close to the deck chairs.

"What a beautiful patio. Your home is really lovely." "Thanks." Annelie nodded. "I enjoy decorating." "It shows. I wish I had more time for that, but I seem to always be on location or working odd hours." Carolyn glanced at the pool. "And this looks truly divine."

Annelie made a gesture of invitation. "Enjoy!" Carolyn flashed her a broad smile, fully aware of how it changed her face. Feeling Annelie's eyes on her, she removed her towel and tossed it on a chair, then strolled toward the deep end of pool. As she posed on the edge, she took her time before she dived in, giving her host a chance to see just how good her physique was. Women half her age had trouble keeping in the kind of shape Carolyn was in. Effortlessly, she swam half a length under water before surfacing and starting to crawl with long, powerful strokes.

***

Annelie returned her attention to her laptop, the image of Carolyn's perfect dive and fluid swimming still in her mind's eye. She knew the actress was forty-five, but her long legs and narrow hips were firm and well exercised. Though not very curvaceous, she was incredibly feminine, and she looked amazing in the black swimsuit.

Browsing through her private e-mails, Annelie smiled to herself as she saw Kitty's name in the inbox. Her Australian friend usually wrote the most outrageous e-mails, which always made her laugh out loud.

From: Kitty McNeil

Subject: One week and counting!

Hi gorgeous!

Just wanted to let you know I finally made flight reservations. I swear the online booking system will be my downfall. I do e-mails, I use word processors, but let me loose on the Internet and I'm bound to cause havoc. For some reason I don't seem to be compatible with these Web sites

that claim to be so idiot-proof. I thought booking a flight to Miami would be a piece of cake. How I first ended up with a ticket to Madrid, I'll never know! Don't worry, babe, I straightened it out.

Sam is coming with me since we thought we'd mix business with pleasure. We'll be staying in Orlando cause my babe has a soft spot for Disney World. *groan* I'm sure I'll live, as long as I don't have to shake hands with Pluto or Goofy. So, bella, see you in a little less than two weeks!

Kitty

PS. Saw the TV commercial about the Diana Maddox audiobooks. God, the voice of that woman!

Annelie smiled and shook her head. Kitty McNeil, one of her authors, was also one of her best friends. She wrote feminist fantasy and science fiction that had a large following, both gay and straight. Like many Australians, she was refreshingly candid, and it didn't take Annelie long to feel as if she'd known her all her life. Kitty's partner, Sam, an artist who specialized in metal sculptures, had already sold Annelie two of her mobiles.

Annelie looked up from her computer and watched Carolyn turn elegantly at the far end of the pool and swim back. Wondering how many laps her guest usually did, she admired her graceful style and fitness. Annelie enjoyed swimming but generally stuck to the breaststroke.

After a while, Carolyn swam over to the ladder and climbed out of the pool. Clinging to her frame, the wet swimsuit showed every muscle, every curve of her body. She was boyishly built in some ways, yet so incredibly feminine. Water streamed down her slender thighs, and Annelie found it impossible to avert her eyes.

Carolyn leaned forward, arching her back as she took the clip from her hair and allowed it to flow in disheveled auburn locks before she toweled it in slow movements. Annelie swallowed hard when Carolyn's raised arms made her small, pert breasts strain against the swimsuit. The outline of her nipples was obvious as they hardened against the cooling fabric.

Draping the towel over her shoulders she sauntered toward Annelie as if she had no idea of her own appeal. "Oh, that was fantastic! Thank you again for letting me borrow the pool. I just can't get enough of this particular kind of exercise."

"As I said, you're welcome to use it while you're in Florida. Mary's around most of the time, and on her days off, either I'm home or you can use a key card. Remind me to give you one later."

Carolyn's eyes widened, and Annelie watched them turn bright blue.

"This is really kind of you, Annelie. I'll certainly take you up on it. If any time is inconvenient, you'll have to promise to let me know."

"I will. Now, how about lunch? Do you like seafood?"

Carolyn ran her fingers through her hair. "Sure, and I'm starving. I'll rinse off first and get dressed."

"You can use the bathroom in the spare bedroom. The hairdryer's in the top drawer."

"I won't be long."

Annelie walked into the kitchen and slid a tray of assorted seafood out of the refrigerator, then sliced large baguettes and arranged them on a plate. Small bowls of mayonnaise and crème fraiche completed the meal. After she set one of the tables on the patio with her blue china, she placed the meal in the middle of it.

Sipping her mineral water, she had to wait only a few minutes before Carolyn joined her. Predictably, the actress's makeup was impeccable, and the two ivory combs holding back her hair drew attention to her face.

Annelie regarded the actress with outward calm, but the way Carolyn's face changed when she smiled, the way her narrow lips became lush and inviting, caused her breath to catch.

"Mmm, this looks tasty. Crab is my favorite seafood."

"Then you'll love these. There's nothing like stone crabs."

Carolyn sat down and buttered her bread sparingly. "How long have you lived here?"

"Almost six years. My first year down here, I lived in a condo near Jared's. I wanted to buy a house, but it took me a while. As soon as the real-estate agent showed me this one, I knew it was my dream come true."

"So you make quick decisions once you know they're right?"

Not sure they were still talking about the house, Annelie nodded calmly. "Yes, I do. So far my instincts haven't steered me wrong."

"That's pretty obvious. You must be thrilled with your decisions about the Diana Maddox series."

"Yes, it's all turned out wonderfully. But without the authors and the books, it wouldn't happen. It's really all about teamwork." She hesitated for a second. "I'm curious. Had you read the Maddox books before you agreed to do the audio version?"

"Only the first one, Dying for Fame, since it was such an instant hit. And also, the setting tied in to my own profession. After that, I intended to read the other two as they came out, but I was in constant rehearsals and never found time."

"What did you think when we approached you about the audiobooks?"

Carolyn carefully wiped her mouth. "As you know, I've done regular audiobooks before and enjoyed it, since I really love to read when I can."

Annelie leaned back in her chair. "You've probably guessed I love books too, since I'm in the publishing business. How was it, doing the audiobooks like radio plays?"

"Both challenging and fun. I enjoyed working with Helen and Harvey. I'd met them before, of course, but had never had the chance to work with them."

Annelie cocked her head. "How did you feel about doing the love scenes with Helen, even if it was only sound-wise?"

Carolyn seemed to give it some thought. "I've never played a lesbian before, so I had no idea how it would seem. But then again, this was also my first role as a criminal investigator. When Helen and I recorded the love scenes, we actually stood very close and used the same microphone. I felt very safe and comfortable with her. We're both pros."

Annelie considered this. It was a straightforward and honest reply. "So you didn't feel awkward at all?"

Carolyn gave a smile. "Perhaps I felt a little self-conscious the first time I indicated kissing her. Harvey took care of that."

Annelie raised an eyebrow. "What did he do?"

"He snuck up behind me, and when I was supposed to have ended the first, long kiss, he grabbed my waist. On tape, my gasp of surprise sounds very passionate!"

Annelie couldn't hold back a laugh. Carolyn's low purr was done tongue in cheek and utterly irresistible.

"It certainly worked for the audience. I suppose you've seen all the fan Web sites and message boards devoted to Maddox. There must be thousands."

"I confess, I'm not into computers, and I don't use the Internet. New technology just isn't my thing. It's hard to fathom how much information the fans can get hold of this way."

"We have a pretty good overview of it all. There are Diana Maddox lists, Carolyn Black lists, and several lists about the other characters."

"Honestly, I had no idea."

Annelie paused for a moment. "The Internet is a big part of our overall marketing strategy. We've also established a new company that will be organizing Diana Maddox conventions. All in all, she's quite a franchise."

Carolyn looked cautious, as if she couldn't quite see where Annelie was headed, sharing all this business information. "I'm impressed," she said. "You'll have every angle covered once you release the movies as well."

"Precisely." The perfect opening, Annelie thought, carefully composing her next sentence. "Which brings me to something I need to discuss with you." She detected an immediate flicker of excitement in Carolyn's eyes and felt bad. What she was about to say was not what the actress was expecting to hear. "We're going to have to take the current audiobooks off the market."

"What?" Carolyn blurted out in an incredulous tone of voice.

"Whoever plays Maddox in the movie will also have to feature in the audiobooks, so we'll be dubbing her voice in." She met Carolyn's stunned gaze without blinking. "We have no choice. We have to maintain homogeneity to bring readers and audience along. It would confuse them if the voice in the audiobooks is not the same as the actress's they watch on the screen. I'm sure you understand that."

A ringing sound came from the house and Annelie rose quickly. "Sorry. I left my cordless in the kitchen. Be right back."

She ran into the house, anticipating that once Carolyn was over her shock, she would rise to the bait and make her play for the role. But by the time the discussion ended, she would accept the inevitable and take the deal Annelie planned to offer her.

***

Carolyn leaned back in her chair, stunned. Annelie had all but told her she was out of the running. Her eyes prickled and she turned her head, looking over the pool area to the well-kept gardens beyond. Tall palm trees were scattered at the perimeter, and tropical flowers bloomed abundantly in the flower beds. Annelie obviously employed a competent gardener.

Her thoughts whirled as a realization struck her. If Annelie intended to cease audiobook sales and allow the contracts to run out, where did that leave her? Thanks to a profit percentage deal, she received a steady income flow from them. She needed that money for Beth.

Rising from her chair, still holding a glass of mineral water, she walked to the edge of the lawn, her stomach churning. Annelie could do exactly as she pleased and there wasn't a damned thing Carolyn could do about it.

Except get the starring role in Dying for Fame.

"A penny for them?" Annelie's voice coming from behind her made Carolyn jump. "Oh, sorry, I didn't mean to startle you."

Carolyn took a long, steadying sip of the mineral water. "Let me understand this. You've chosen someone for the role already?"

"No. But my casting agent has worked it down to a short list." She had the grace to look embarrassed.

"Am I on that list?"

"Of course you are." The assurance sounded slightly hollow.

Carolyn couldn't imagine Annelie lying outright—she seemed too classy for that. Concluding that her name was right at the bottom, she said, "I get the feeling I'm not your first choice."

Annelie made a small, helpless gesture.

Carolyn lowered her gaze from the publisher's exquisite, calm face and refrained from yelling, What's wrong with you? I'm perfect! "Is it my age?" she asked flatly.

"No. "The denial was quick and emphatic. "You barely look thirty-five."

"Then what? Do me a favor and just tell me, okay?"

Annelie's eyes widened a fraction at the blunt request. "Okay." Her tone became very businesslike. "Your voice was always perfect for Diana. But film is a visual medium, and I'm not sure your look is quite right for her. "

Carolyn raised an eyebrow. "Clearly you wouldn't have cast Charlize Theron in Monster."

Annelie sighed. "Carolyn, listen. I know you want the role, and I love the work you've done for Key Line. But I can't afford to allow my own personal preferences to enter into this decision. I'm risking a lot on this movie. People depend on me for their livelihoods, so I have to listen to what industry experts are telling me or I won't get a distribution deal. You know what those guys are like."

It was the first time Carolyn had heard Annelie speak with real emotion since her presentation at the Nebula Circle fundraiser. She took a moment to consider the right way to respond. Softening her tone, she said, "At least let me read for you, and keep an open mind. Will you give me that?"

"Absolutely," Annelie said. "In fact, I'll give you more. I feel very bad about the audiobooks, and I want to make it right with you. Let's do this properly."

"What do you mean?"

"We both know I'm within my rights to stop selling the books and let our contracts with you simply expire. But neither of us gets anything from this option. I have a better idea."

"I'm listening."

"I'll pay you a hundred thousand dollars to compensate for lost earnings, and we'll terminate the contracts properly. All you have to do is say yes, and I'll handle the legal work."

Carolyn mentally repeated the offer. It sounded generous. Annelie was obviously trying to do the right thing. But her instincts told her to stall. It was a long time since she had signed the audiobook contracts. She wanted to see exactly what the fine print said before she walked away.

"I'll need to talk it over with Grey," she said.

"Of course. I'll have my attorneys fax the paperwork over to him right away. Let me know once you've had a chance to think it over." Annelie motioned toward the table. "How about some coffee?"

Carolyn shook her head. "Normally I'd love a cup, but I need to be somewhere. I'll call a cab."

"Why don't I give you lift? I have to run a few errands."

Carolyn was about to decline when she thought again. It seemed as if Annelie was trying to be a friend to her on a personal level, irrespective of their professional relationship. It would be shortsighted to shut down that possibility. The role might not be hers automatically, but it was within reach, and the more time she spent with Annelie, the better her chances.

"Thanks, that's very thoughtful of you," she said. "Now tell me the really good news—we're taking that beauty parked right outside. The Mustang?"

Annelie looked pleasantly surprised. "Yes. Do you like vintage cars?"

"Love them. I've always wanted a seventies Corvette Stingray, but since I live in New York I drive a Volvo XC90, an SUV. Safe, versatile, and a tad on the dull side. Don't tell anyone I said so, though. I'm participating in a Volvo commercial soon."

"You have my word," Annelie promised with mock sincerity.

After gathering her bag, Carolyn followed Annelie to the well-kept Mustang, where she enjoyed the feel of the smooth white leather seat. Cool air suggested the car had been modernized.

"What color would you choose if you ever bought a vintage Corvette?" Annelie asked, donning a pair of sunglasses.

Carolyn rolled her eyes at herself. "You'll think I'm nuts, but I'd like a Tweety-Bird yellow one."

"A Tweety-Bird yellow?" Annelie burst out laughing. The sound was contagious, and the actress joined in. "I'd never have guessed."

Confidently, Annelie drove through the streets of the gated community and waved at the guard. Carolyn was intrigued by the strange mix of frankness and reserve she detected in the younger woman and wondered what made her tick. She was obviously a brilliant businesswoman. Was it her wealth or her persona that opened doors for her, and was it money or power she sought? Apparently it wasn't celebrity.

"You must have a great personal stake in the Diana Maddox books since you oversee every detail yourself," Carolyn ventured.

"I guess you could say that, but also, I gave my word to Delia Carlton that I'd personally make sure her story didn't get twisted or sold out to any of the greedy Hollywood moguls. Doing the conventions, letting the fans in more without exposing Delia, is one way of accomplishing this. Keeping the movie production within the family, so to speak, is another." Annelie smiled briefly. "I'm normally not a control freak, you know. It's just that I made a promise."

Carolyn nodded. So keeping promises and honoring loyalty rated highly with Annelie. This did not surprise her since this was how everyone she'd met and worked with from Key Line operated. Still, she wondered how on the up-and-up Annelie's offer to reimburse her for the cancelled contracts was. She'd sounded so sincere when suggesting that she release Carolyn from the contract in a decent way, but something didn't ring quite true.

"How are you feeling?" Annelie asked. "You were a little pale when you came to the house, but it looks like the swim did you a world of good."

Surprised yet feeling unexpectedly cared for, Carolyn smiled. "I'm fine, thanks. The swim did what it always does for me. It's relaxing and keeps me going. I've always suffered from migraines and discovered, long before any of the newer medications, that swimming is the best way to handle them."

"I won't pretend to know what it's like, but it sounds painful. That reminds me, since you're going to use the pool a lot while you're in Florida...Do you have a car here?"

Carolyn shook her head. "No. Jared has a car, of course, but he uses it every day. I could come by cab, like today."

"No, that'd be such a nuisance for you. Here's what we'll do. Why don't you borrow the SUV while you're here? I have this car and a Jaguar, so I'm all set."

Carolyn couldn't believe the other woman's generosity. "Thanks. That's really kind, and I appreciate it. An SUV would be super, since I'm used to one."

"Great. That's settled, then." Annelie pulled over in front of Jared's condo, letting the motor run while she reached in the backseat for her purse.

The action caused her ponytail to sweep forward along Carolyn's bare arm, making her skin tingle from the soft touch. Startled, she glanced at the blond tresses, almost expecting them to be dusted with something magical.

"Here," Annelie said as she shuffled through her bag. "If no one is at the house, you can use this card." She handed over a key card similar to one from a hotel. "It automatically turns off the alarm, so pull it through the box again and it'll lock up and reset the alarm when you leave."

"You're sweet to trust a stranger, Annelie. I'm honored, of course, and it'll be so good for me, but still…"

"You're not really a stranger." Annelie shrugged. "I've known of you for years, and you're working for me too, in a way. I'll give you the keys to the Navigator tomorrow and tell the guards to expect you."

"Thanks again. I'm really grateful," Carolyn said as she stepped out of the car.

Annelie hesitated as if meaning to say something more, but shifted into Drive and waved. "Talk to you later. Have a nice afternoon, Carolyn."

"You too."

Walking toward the apartment building, Carolyn looked down at the key card, feeling almost disoriented. Nothing had gone as she'd planned, and she now had to regroup mentally. It hadn't crossed her mind that Annelie would virtually rule her out before the casting process began in earnest. She was infuriated that the decision could be influenced by men who thought any actress over thirty-five should be playing Grandma. What did they know about the audience for a powerful female character like Diana Maddox?

She had to figure out how to show Annelie Peterson exactly what it took to captivate that audience, how to make herself indispensable as Diana Maddox. I know Sylvia Goodman is a good actress, beautiful… younger. Carolyn gave a mental shrug, pressing her lips together. She may be good, but she's not me. She's not Maddox.

Chapter Three

Annelie waved to the security guard at the desk in the foyer of a carefully renovated art-deco building by the boardwalk.

"How are things today, Earl?" she asked, as she passed him on her way to Key Line Publishing.

"Just fine, Ms. Peterson. The wife and I have bought tickets to the Diana Maddox convention."

"I'll see you there, then." Annelie returned his smile. "I hope the two of you have a good time."

"I'm sure we will. My wife adores the books."

"Tell her to keep an eye on our Web page. We're planning a few surprises."

With another wave, Annelie walked through the glass doors leading into the building and down the hall to her beachfront corner office. She greeted her administrative assistant with a smile, then paused to enjoy the view and watch the waves wash onto the sand. Noticing a large envelope sitting on top of her inbox on her desk, she reached for it and instantly recognized the distinctive logotype of a famous photographer, Corazon Perez.

Curious, Annelie opened it and pulled out a set of publicity photos. Suddenly breathless, she had to will her hands not to drop them. Carolyn Black gazed at her from the glossy pictures, her persona radiating off them with a subtle force. A note from Grey Parker was attached to the top photo, again stating Carolyn's interest in the Maddox role.

Annelie had glimpsed Carolyn several times since the actress had begun to use her pool. They rarely conversed, but she had been very aware of the actress's presence.

Reluctantly looking at the first picture, Annelie saw Carolyn dressed in a black, sleeveless turtleneck, resembling a panther. With her hair pulled back from her face in a tight twist that accentuated her features, she exuded both arrogance and danger as she leaned back in an armchair. Carolyn looked almost haunted, which made Annelie wonder what Corazon Perez had said or done to bring out this expression.

The second picture was completely different. With her auburn hair clouding around her shoulder, Carolyn wore a long white caftan made from a thin, lacy fabric. One of its wide sleeves had fallen back a little, revealing her arm up to the elbow. Her makeup was discreet, emphasizing her intense eyes. She smiled faintly, as if privy to a special secret.

The third picture made Annelie gasp inaudibly and sink into her desk chair. Corazon must have used a fan to blow the hair off Carolyn's shoulders, making it flow behind her. At first it looked like she was naked, but when Annelie examined the picture, she saw Carolyn wore a transparent, light tan shirt that fit like a second skin. Small silver threads were woven into the fragile fabric, making Carolyn's skin seem to sparkle. In this picture, the actress focused on something behind the photographer, a dreamy expression in her eyes.

The glamorous pictures bothered Annelie. She rose from her chair and paced over to the window. As she placed a hand on the cool glass and watched the beach fill up with people, she was flooded by inexplicable emotions. She frowned, simply not used to feeling so vulnerable.

Annelie hadn't allowed herself to become involved with anyone the last few years. The last time she let anyone close, the relationship had ended in heartache. So far it had never seemed worth the effort to figure out if someone loved her for her money or for herself. I promised myself not to let it rule my actions. I guess I have.

She recalled Carla, the one who had hurt her the most. The mere thought of the dark-haired girl she'd met at the university made her heart recoil. Though hardened by the sudden transition from being ignored to being fawned over, Annelie had still lowered her guard and let the other woman approach her.

Attending some of the same classes at Barnard, they became close and Annelie began to nourish hope for a future with the exciting brunette. She never admitted to anyone how it broke her heart when she heard by chance of Carla's plan to seduce the "ice queen." When Annelie learned Carla had known about her financial status all along, she had in her wounded state assumed the other woman was a gold digger as well.

Pulling out of the relationship and changing her curriculum, Annelie stayed within the close circle of her study group, never exchanging more than polite words in passing with Carla.

She glanced at the remaining photos of Carolyn Black, but then opened a drawer in her desk and pushed the pictures inside before closing it. Feeling childish about her uncharacteristic behavior, she closed her eyes briefly.

"Annelie? I'm going nuts! Will you take a look at this?" Jem Sanderson burst through the open door to her office. A shock of short brown hair streaked with a few gray strands framed a strongly chiseled face with azure blue eyes and a firm mouth. Waving a thick stack of documents in her right hand, the chief editor of Key Line was obviously agitated. "This is only since yesterday."

"Good morning to you too, Jem," Annelie said, grateful for the interruption. "What's this?"

"E-mails! I'm suddenly getting at least two to three hundred emails every day insisting we use Carolyn Black as Diana Maddox and Helen St. Cyr as her love interest. They're clogging my inbox! I can't work like this."

"Calm down. Let me see." Annelie reached for the documents and began browsing through them. "Oh, my." She read a sample aloud. "I, and every one of my friends who have read the books and listened to the audiobooks, am hoping Carolyn Black will play Diana Maddox in the upcoming movies. After hearing Ms. Black read Maddox's part in the audiobooks, there simply can be no other."

"Amazing, huh?" Jem stated. "How fans can be this devoted and loyal."

Annelie shook her head. "Mind-boggling."

"When will you be seeing Black next?"

"Probably tomorrow. This is a busy week for me, so it'll be the only day I can work from home." Annelie had no plans to mention the audiobook contract termination to her staff, or anyone else, until after the upcoming convention, so she smoothly changed the topic, "Speaking of which, you're not bailing on the luncheon at my house Friday, are you?"

"Of course not! It'll be fun. Did Kitty manage to change her ticket? I'm really looking forward to meeting her and Sam after all this time."

Annelie laughed quietly. "Yes, after nearly strangling me for changing the dates. She'd bought tickets to fly in just after the weekend, and then when I e-mailed her, asking her to come earlier, she had a fit. Only the fact she managed to save several hundred dollars saved my neck."

"Will she be here for the convention too?"

"Yes, she and Sam decided to extend their vacation since they haven't really taken one for the past two years."

Jem nodded, looking pleased. "Good. Maybe we can spend some time with them after the convention."

Annelie agreed.

"I guess I'll go work on a standard reply to the Maddox fans. There's no way I can correspond with them individually." Jem waved, jumped off the chair, and left.

Alone with her thoughts, Annelie sat down at her computer and opened her desk drawer. Glancing down at the envelope with the photos she'd left on top, she sighed inaudibly. Carolyn looked absolutely wonderful in the pictures, almost as irresistible as in real life. Impatient with the direction her thoughts were taking, Annelie pivoted in her chair and gazed at the ocean again.

It was obvious the actress had a large following. Numerous Web sites were dedicated to her long before the audiobooks—now there were hundreds more. Annelie reached under her hair, rubbing at the tension in her neck.

Audiences were only faithful to a degree. If the actress they chose for the Maddox role did her job right, Carolyn Black would soon be forgotten by this part of her fan base, especially if the audiobooks were discontinued in their present form.

She's the one I always saw as Diana Maddox. Annelie made the acknowledgment uneasily. For her, Carolyn was perfect as the headstrong, daring criminal investigator. However, she had to set her personal bias aside and listen to the show business expertise. So far, the marketing experts had suggested three different names of actresses they deemed more suitable than Carolyn—younger, edgier, and less glamorous, definitely less glamorous.

Perhaps that's it. Her personal appearance is too glossy, and even too strong? They don't think she can play the role convincingly. Annelie doubted herself, her own assessment, since she reacted the way she did to Carolyn. Perhaps the investors and marketing experts fear she's too much herself. The very part I find so intriguing.

Diana Maddox was the kind of character who seemed to jump off the page. From the moment she'd read the first chapter of Dying for Fame, Annelie had been convinced that Maddox could attract just as large a fan base as other fictional female heroes. Getting to know the lesbian investigator was perhaps even more absorbing than author Delia Carlton's compelling plot lines. Though Annelie knew they were sitting on a winner, she could never have anticipated the books would stay on the best-seller charts for several years or that sales would skyrocket worldwide.

Fans of Diana Maddox, and of Delia Carlton, had flooded the publishing company with letters and e-mails, wanting to know more. Delia was not comfortable with the attention, so after brainstorming with Gregory and Jem, Annelie decided to give Diana Maddox a voice, if not yet a face, and purchased the rights to turn the novels into audiobooks. And instead of hiring a talented unemployed actor or actresses for the recording, as she usually did, she assigned a cast, a different actor for each character in the book, plus a narrator.

For Maddox, Annelie had thought of Carolyn Black instantly. The actress's voice held a rare quality that made people stop and listen. It could vary from a dark growl to a seductive purr, and because they would need a wide range of tones for the series, she was the obvious choice for the lead.

Carolyn and the other actors signed contracts to read three novels. Annelie had expected only the devoted fans to buy the audiobooks, but when sales of the CDs and tapes not only tied with the hardbacks and paperbacks but surpassed them, Key Line wrote publishing history. Now they were set to expand their market exponentially, and she didn't have much time left before they began filming. Even Delia Carlton was asking if the lead actress had been cast yet.

Annelie would have to make her decision soon.

Not even glancing at the glossy pictures of Carolyn, she clicked on her first e-mail. She had work to do.

***

Carolyn had lost count of her laps and the time. Muscles quivering, she climbed out of the pool and reached for a large towel draped over a deck chair.

"I can make you some coffee and a bagel with cream cheese, if you like, Ms. Black," Annelie's housekeeper said behind her. The petite, wiry woman had greeted her at the door when she arrived, informing her that Annelie would be at the office all day.

"Thank you, Mary. I'd like that. You spoil me, you know."

"Ah, think nothing of it. I was going to have a cup anyway."

"Then why don't you join me here on the patio?"

Mary looked shocked and appalled. "Now, how would that look? I have work to do."

Amused over her apparent faux pas, Carolyn walked into the guest room to change. When she returned to the patio, she found coffee, orange juice, a bagel, and assorted fruits.

Carolyn reached for the coffee cup and, inhaling the aroma of her favorite type of coffee, Royal Copenhagen, she sipped it carefully. Black and strong, it seemed to go straight to her veins, rejuvenating her after her strenuous workout, and she secretly commended herself for bringing two packages as a gift for Annelie.

A beeping sound came from her bag. Pulling out her phone, she grimaced when she noticed two missed calls from Beth and one from Grey Parker. Immediately worried, she dialed her sister first, but the phone went dead the moment Beth answered. When it wouldn't power up, she realized she'd probably forgotten to charge it again.

Carolyn grabbed her wallet and rushed into the house, looking for the housekeeper. "Excuse me, Mary? Is it okay if I use the phone? My cell died on me, and I have a calling card."

"Of course." Mary led her into Annelie's study. "Here you go. You can use the one on the desk."

Thanking her, Carolyn sat down in the black leather chair behind Annelie's large cherrywood desk.

While she waited for her call to go through, Carolyn studied the room curiously. The walls were a pleasant forest green and the carpet off-white. The bookshelves, also made of cherry, held numerous reference books and long rows of binders. Two wine red chairs on the other side of the desk were obviously for visitors. Soft classical music from an invisible source permeated the entire house, including the office.

"Hello!"

"Beth, I'm sorry. My phone died again."

"For goodness' sake, Lyn. You're the most technically challenged person I know." Her sister sounded much more her feisty self, which was reassuring.

"Was there something you wanted?"

"Yes, I know you'll be pleased. I've taken a leave of absence, and my boss says whenever I want to come back, my job's waiting for me."

"That's wonderful." Carolyn smiled and leaned back in the chair. The scent of leather mixed with perfume soothed her senses. "So Joe's willing to let me help?"

"To be honest, he was more willing to accept than I was." Beth paused. "I was worried about his pride. You know what I mean."

"I know." In Carolyn's experience, Joe didn't have an ego. He focused on what mattered. "Listen, I won't have any problem helping you guys out during the pregnancy. If you need help around the house, just hire somebody. The sky's the limit."

Beth's voice was warm. "You're so thoughtful, sweetie. Thank you. Tell me, does anyone else ever get to see this side of you?"

Carolyn smiled. Sisters were allowed to see through one another. She had to keep the rest of the world at arm's length or they would eat her alive. "No. I have to maintain my image as a witch on wheels to keep them on their toes."

A small sigh. "Are you coming back this weekend?"

"That's the plan. I'll call you when I know which flight I'll be on. Take care of yourself and hug Joe and Pamela."

"I will. You take care too."

About to call Grey, Carolyn glimpsed a small picture in a silver frame at the far end of the desk. It was one of the promotion shots from The Passing of Time, taken during the second season. A much-younger Carolyn Black gazed at her with confidence that was only skin-deep at the time.

Her success as Devon Harper had opened many doors for her in show business, especially when the show's ratings climbed and she was credited for attracting a wider audience. She'd played Devon Harper for more than two years, at the same time seeking minor big-screen roles.

Carolyn took a deep breath and stared down at the photograph once more. Why did Annelie Peterson keep a picture of her in her study?

The only other picture she could see was a group photo on one wall. It looked like a class reunion—Annelie with a bunch of other women.

A twitch at the corner of her mouth developed into a smile. Tapping the picture frame with a well-manicured nail, Carolyn thought about it some more. Annelie, it seemed, could be a fan of hers from way back. If she played her cards right, this could prove rather useful.

Her mind racing, she set the picture back on the desk and dialed her agent.

***

Jem stuck her head in the door of Annelie's office. "Can I talk to you?"

"Come on in." Annelie gave her chief editor a quick smile. "What is it?"

"A couple of things. First, we're going to have to find at least two more authors in the fantasy genre or we'll have an unbalanced catalogue. I'm sure I saw a promising manuscript and now I can't find it!"

Jem was famous for losing things. Keys, cell phones, wallets… Annelie couldn't keep track of how many times the whole office had been in uproar—all pitching in to help the energetic editor find her missing belongings.

"What was the title? Who was the author?"

"I think it was something with Dragon Dreams."

"Ah, sorry. It's at home. I wanted to read it over the weekend, but I didn't get around to it. I'll try and finish it tomorrow morning."

"You're going to read an unsolicited manuscript while Carolyn Black is visiting?" Jem asked, clearly aghast.

Annelie blinked. "How did you know about Carolyn coming over?"

"Your housekeeper dropped a hint big enough to sink the Titanic." Jem grinned. "Smart move. You can ask her about the convention and sound her out about the film role."

"That's not what this is about, Jem. I offered Carolyn the use of my pool while she's in Florida, and she was truly grateful. That's it—no agendas."

"I can't believe you've had her spending hours swanning around your house in a swimsuit and didn't say a word! What's she like in person?"

"She's very nice and very charismatic, every bit as fascinating as she seems on stage and TV. Even more so, in my humble opinion."

"Is someone I know starstruck?" Jem teased.

"You know me better than that." Annelie tried to hide her faint embarrassment with a cough. "She bought first editions of the Diana Maddox books for $12,000 during the auction. I thought that was pretty amazing. She was there with her boyfriend."

"Who's her boyfriend?"

"Jared Garrison. He's from the law firm we use for the Nebula Circle's clients."

"Oh, him. He's a nice guy."

"That he is. Great taste in women too, obviously."

This drew a small gasp. "Annelie, what are you saying?"

Stunned at what had jumped out of her mouth, Annelie lapsed into momentary silence. She did find Carolyn Black very attractive, but she never mixed business with pleasure, and certainly not with involved straight women.

"Well, she's gorgeous and has it, don't you agree?" She stalled, knowing Jem wouldn't be fooled for a second.

"Uh-huh."

"Anyhow, I'll bring the manuscript tomorrow and we can discuss it." Assuming her most businesslike tone, she said, "So, are we going to take a look through that convention merchandise?"

"Yes, but there's something else." Jem's eyes narrowed slightly. "Those e-mails flooding in—our Web guru says they originate in Grey Parker's office."

"Really?" She should have guessed.

"I wonder if your screen idol knows." Jem needled her gently.

Annelie shot her a look. "My first guess would be she doesn't. I get the impression Carolyn can barely cope with cell phones, let alone computers."

"I'm sure she's smart enough to find people who can. Seems like her agent follows the trends."

Annelie knew her chief editor was right. "Well, Grey Parker can do what he likes to stir up the fans. But it's not going to buy his client a thing."

"I hear you." Jem snapped her fingers. "By the way, I'm going to the Blue Beach Café for dinner with my sister and her husband tonight. Want to join us? We have reservations at eight o'clock."

Annelie was not looking forward to yet another evening home alone, especially knowing where her thoughts kept taking her at the moment. "Sounds like a good idea. I'll meet you there."

***

The Blue Beach Café, located where the most popular beach in Key Biscayne began, was a long, single-floor building with a waterfront deck.

Carolyn and Grey Parker strolled out on the long porch, the soft, scented evening wrapping around them. Still not over the shock of learning that her agent had flown down to Florida yesterday, she had agreed to join him for dinner. Following the waiter to a table by the railing, the actress wrapped her shawl tighter, feeling a chill. She smiled briefly and politely thanked the waiter who pulled out a chair for her.

"I'll have a scotch, please," she ordered, surprising herself. She was a little cold, and perhaps the alcohol would ignite a much-needed fire inside.

"A beer, thank you." Grey leaned back in his chair, glancing around the large deck. "Apparently it's hard to get a table here. At least that's what they said at the hotel."

"Yes, I believe so. It's popular." Carolyn focused on the menu until the waiter returned with their drinks and some iced water. Sipping the alcohol, she realized she enjoyed the warmth it spread through her system way too much.

"You look uneasy." Grey frowned.

"I'm fine, it's just…I'm…well, I admit I do feel a bit stymied by the last turn of events. I don't know what to do about the contracts, Grey. Ms. Peterson is trying to be decent about it, so I can cut my losses without actually losing too much."

"Not so fast, my dear. I went over the contracts before I left New York, and my advice is for you to hang on to them. We're not throwing in the towel just yet. It's going to take a bit of engineering, though."

"I was so certain…My mistake," Carolyn huffed, fumbling in her purse. "Mind if I smoke?"

"No, go ahead." He nudged an ashtray closer to her.

Carolyn lit up and inhaled deeply. She had cut back a lot over the last few years but always craved a cigarette when she felt like this— rattled, on edge. Damn it, what's wrong with me? It's not like me to feel so…defeated this early in the race. She had been having trouble sleeping. Worrying about Beth, seeing the Maddox role just beyond her grasp were making the veins at her temples throb painfully. Why can't Annelie see I'm the perfect choice? She knew the answer. Over the years, she had made a few enemies in the business for refusing to play their game. One of the more illustrious movie reviewers once accused her of being "too much." Perhaps I am too much. Too much me. Too much Carolyn Black.

"Maybe it's better to just bow out," she murmured. "Peterson's advisers seem determined to cast Sylvia Goodman. From what I understand, Annelie's a rookie executive producer. She's bound to listen to them."

"We can still sway them. Listen to me, Carolyn. I have some news for you. A sister company to Supernova Productions is planning an event in Orlando, on Saturday two weeks from now."

"What kind of event?" She squinted at him through the smoke.

Realizing she sounded angry, Carolyn tried to calm down. It wasn't Grey's fault she was feeling stung that the role seemed to be sliding out of her grip.

"They're holding a Diana Maddox convention, and fans from all over the world will attend. Some of your colleagues from the audiobooks will be there. This tells me they've been cast for their respective roles in the movie." He paused, eyeing her carefully. "Exactly how far are you prepared to go to land this role?"

"I don't know what you mean. I feel I've earned the right to play Maddox. The audience connects me to this character."

"Audience attention is fickle, and you know it. You have to cause some disturbance in Supernova's plans. Stir the pot, in a manner of speaking." Grey's eyes sparkled; the agent was obviously excited at the prospect of causing trouble.

"What do you suggest?"

Grey leaned closer over the table, speaking in a mock-secretive voice. "I suggest we crash their party."

***

Jem spotted her first.

"Damn, isn't that Carolyn Black sitting over there?"

Annelie's first reaction was to immediately turn around; instead she made herself casually pivot on her chair, looking over at the smoking section.

"Yes, it is. The man she's with is Grey Parker, her agent." Her voice was calm. "If the Blue Beach Café weren't so popular, I'd say this was quite the coincidence."

"It is a coincidence," Jem insisted. "Here, come sit next to me so you can see her."

Not quite sure why she complied, Annelie rose and changed seats. The first thing she noticed was Carolyn's erratic smoking. The actress's hands jerked when she put the cigarette between her lips or tapped restless fingertips against the tablecloth.

Jem noticed too. "She seems on edge."

"Yes."

Annelie watched Carolyn snub out her cigarette and toss down the last of her drink. She looked furious, every taut movement a testament to her control. Of course Carolyn would not permit her public to see her having some kind of tantrum. The actress stared into her glass, only to follow the smoke's journey toward the ceiling, and gazed out over the ocean. When she turned back to Grey, her face was serene.

A waiter brought the actress a new drink, and the sight of Carolyn holding onto the glass with both hands made Annelie frown, then look quickly away. So far, it seemed Carolyn hadn't noticed Annelie and her party. She briefly wondered what the New York–based agent was doing in Florida. Not wanting Grey Parker on her case this evening, she decided not to acknowledge the two unless Carolyn spotted her.

"I don't get it," Jem said. "Why aren't we asking her to guest speak at the convention? She'd be such a draw."

"Because if we do, the entire planet will assume she's going to be playing Diana Maddox in the movie."

Clearly Jem thought this was ideal. "I don't see the problem. I mean, I know you have to go through the motions of casting, but—"

"The problem is distribution," Annelie said. "I'm negotiating with prospective distributors as we speak, and, frankly, no one is talking about Carolyn Black. Those guys are hot for Sylvia Goodman."

Jem looked startled. "But she's too young. And that voice— Marilyn Monroe on helium."

Annelie laughed at the description. Jem was right. Sylvia's squeaky breathlessness was totally wrong for Maddox. But although Annelie was financing the movie, she was not a distributor. If she didn't get decent distribution, it would make no difference how good her film was. It would wither at the box office or, worse, end up going straight to video.

"I know she's not ideal, but I have to consider her," Annelie said. "I can't afford to cast an actress they won't get behind."

"I see the problem." Jem's dismay was palpable. "What are you going to tell Carolyn about the convention?"

"Nothing at all. She's a busy woman. With any luck, she won't even realize it's happening until it's over."

When Jem's sister and her husband joined them at the table, Annelie was thankful for a change in topic. But despite their friendly banter, she found it hard to focus on the conversation.

As the evening continued, more people entered the restaurant, now and again obscuring Annelie's view of Carolyn, who sat smoking an endless number of cigarettes after finishing her meal. Still her eyes constantly sought the actress out, staring hungrily, feasting from a distance, which was utterly unsatisfying. But it was all Annelie could ever do.

***

Driving up to Annelie's house the next day, Carolyn felt resolved and oddly detached. She parked and, pulling her bag toward her, stepped out of the Navigator.

To her surprise Annelie, dressed casually in white slacks and a light yellow top, appeared in the doorway and waved at her.

"Hello! You're early today, Carolyn."

The bright sunlight reflected in Annelie's long hair, which hung down around her shoulders today. Her smile was friendly and open.

"Yes—" Carolyn broke off before she let the other woman know she hadn't slept a wink the night before. Adjusting her features to not betray her cold determination, she returned the smile.

Annelie gestured toward the hallway. "Before you swim, I need to run something by you if you don't mind. Join me in my study?"

"By all means." Carolyn pushed her sunglasses on top of her head.

Fastening her gaze on Annelie, she donned a bright expression. "As you said, I'm early."

In the study, her eyes immediately fell upon several large glossy photos stacked on the desk. She was still amazed at how well they had turned out. Corazon was talented, making her look young and vibrant in every shot. Not that it had made any difference to Annelie, who quickly picked up the glossies and put them aside.

"I see my promotion pictures arrived," Carolyn remarked pointedly.

"Yes, Grey Parker sent them. They're wonderful. Corazon Perez is a very good photographer. I admire her work tremendously."

Still looking at the picture of herself in the ethereal outfit with the silver threads, Carolyn saw, out of the corner of her eye, Annelie move to the other end of the desk and stealthily lay the picture of the nineteen-years-younger Carolyn facedown.

Amazed, her heart pounding at the unexpected movement, Carolyn continued, "I needed new pictures taken since I've received so much mail from Maddox fans wanting to put a face to the voice." Instinctively, she pretended she hadn't noticed Annelie's subtle maneuver and filed this information away for future reference. Looking up at the other woman, she gave a broad smile, knowing from experience how it could entice people. She touched Annelie's shoulder, squeezing it gently. "Anything for the fans, right?"

"Of course." Annelie sounded collected, but her shoulder felt tense beneath Carolyn's touch.

Letting her hand drop, she removed her sunglasses from the top of her head and put them into her bag. "Are you going in to work today?"

"Yes, in a little while. I thought we could go over the contracts first."

"Oh, yes, the contracts. Well, Grey advised me to hang on to them. He takes care of these matters for me, and I trust his opinion." Carolyn shrugged. "We talked things over last night, and if need be, I'd be happy to screen-test, to prove I'm the right one for the Maddox role."

Folding her arms, Annelie seemed taken aback. "I still intend to withdraw the audiobooks as they stand from the market," she pointed out. "This will mean a significant loss of royalties to you. I think Mr. Parker's advice is not in your best interest, financially."

"Perhaps. Grey, of course, agrees with me that I'm right for the role and stand a very good chance compared to the other actresses on your list. A screen test ought to prove that beyond a shadow of a doubt." Carolyn let the steel in her voice become more apparent. "Regardless how you look at it, I'm more experienced and the one closest to Maddox's age. I also know the character in a way they don't."

Leaning with her hip against the desk, Annelie hardened her eyes. "A screen test is of course always useful for a comparison, and I know it's a stretch for someone of your fame to have to do one. Why put yourself though this when I've already explained to you how the marketing experts reason?"

"As I recall, you also promised I could read and you would watch with an open mind," Carolyn said, not acknowledging Annelie's attempt to put her off. "So how about sometime this week?"

The other woman seemed to force back a deep sigh. Shrugging, the politeness only marginal in her voice, she said, "I'm sorry, but my schedule is full. I can't fit you in that quickly, and also I have to have the director present, as well as the casting director."

"Next week, then? Surely that will give everyone ample time to coordinate." Carolyn adopted a cheerful tone of voice. "I'm available any time, except the weekend."

"I'll see what I can do and get back to you through your agent." Her eyes narrowing, Annelie took the promotion pictures and put them back into the envelope with rigid movements. "Now I have to get ready for work."

Remaining completely charming despite the barely concealed irritation in Annelie's voice, Carolyn hoisted her bag over her shoulder, giving the other woman a wide smile. "Well, I better go take my swim. Have a great day, Annelie."

Looking at her with an unreadable expression in her eyes, Annelie nodded regally. "You too, Carolyn."

Chapter Four

Unmistakably, it was Kitty McNeil at the gate. Her Australian accent carried through the intercom system.

"Hey, gorgeous. We're here and we're starving!"

Annelie buzzed the gate open and hurried to meet Kitty and Sam. As always she was amazed at the couple's appearance. Kitty was dressed in dark jeans, a sleeveless denim shirt, and a baseball hat jammed on her short blond hair. Sam, the taller of the two, wore black jeans and a T-shirt with an enigmatic print decorating the front. A Celtic tattoo stretched from her shoulder down along her abdomen, which Annelie had admired in a private showing. Sam moved effortlessly between classic elegance and street-smart toughness.

"Kitty, Sam, welcome. I can't believe you're finally here. I thought I'd exhausted our friendship by dragging you to the opera when I stayed in Sydney."

"It was close," Kitty muttered good-naturedly, pulling Annelie into a warm embrace. "You look great but you're so thin. Are you working too hard, darl'?"

"It's hard not to with so much happening—launching the first Maddox convention and starting to cast the movie. It's been hectic." She embraced Sam and gestured for them to follow her. "I'll show you your room, and then we'll have dinner."

After washing up, her guests joined her in the dining room. Decorated in a modern Nordic style with pinewood furniture, soft blue walls, and an off-white carpet, the room inspired a sense of serenity. The table could seat ten people easily, but Annelie rarely used it for formal entertaining. Mostly she enjoyed gathering her small group of close friends to enjoy Mary's cooking.

"I like the colors in here," Sam said. "I'm glad you didn't put up

curtains. Looking out on the pool and the patio gives it a real outdoors feel."

"Thank you. I was hoping to buy one of your galvanized steel mobiles to hang right there." Annelie pointed at a rafter on the patio.

"So, now I'm so curious, I'm tempted to bounce," Kitty exclaimed after the first couple of bites. "I want to hear all about Carolyn Black. How many times have you met her?"

"Almost every day. She comes here to swim."

"Hey, you! Remember who you're talking to." Kitty smirked. "Don't try and fob me off with a nonanswer like that one."

Annelie gazed calmly at her Aussie guest. "She needs to swim every day for her health. I can't tell you any more than that."

"Will she play Maddox in the movies?" Sam asked.

"I don't know yet. Casting will begin soon, and I have the final say on the four major characters. It'll be an interesting experience, that's for sure."

"You've done this before, haven't you?" Kitty questioned. "I mean, you've backed several plays in New York and here in Florida?"

"Yes, but I've never been involved with the casting. I trusted the directors to get it right. But the company has much more at stake this time."

"I guess if the films bomb that'll be the end of Diana Maddox," Kitty observed.

"Precisely. Which is why Delia Carlton wanted me to be very hands-on with every aspect of the project before she would sell the movie rights."

"So when do we hear if Carolyn Black's getting the role?"

"Not yet," Annelie said mildly.

"Okay, I won't hassle you," Kitty conceded, making Sam raise an incredulous eyebrow. "So, what's on the agenda for the next couple of days?"

"We have the authors' luncheon here at the house tomorrow. Jem's coming, so you two will finally get to meet."

"It's about bloody time! She's only edited six of my novels."

"Is Carolyn coming over to swim tomorrow?" Sam asked hopefully.

Annelie seriously doubted it after their last chilly conversation. "I'm not sure of her plans," she said in a noncommittal tone.

Kitty sighed. "If I were you I'd be crawling on my hands and knees to get her in the movie."

Annelie maintained a placid smile. "I'll keep that in mind."

***

Carolyn woke with her head throbbing. She'd hardly slept, her mind working overtime on her plans for the coming week. Annelie still hadn't given Grey a time for the reading, but no other actresses had read either, so that was always something. She had decided to swim today, for the first time since their unhappy discussion, just to keep Annelie under pressure. The convention was only eight days away, and she was determined to deliver a superb reading that would set the benchmark when Annelie had to consider other actresses.

After showering, she scrutinized her eyes in the mirror and carefully applied Vitamin K cream to the slight bagging and dark circles she noticed. The sea-kelp masque she had used in the shower had eliminated most traces, and she dealt with the last faint shadows with a concealer pencil. Once she had finished dusting a little powder over her usual discreet foundation, she checked herself again, then put the makeup into her bag so she could reapply it after swimming. The last thing she needed today was to look anything less than camera-ready.

Although the guards knew her now, they always stopped the car anyway. Carolyn was uncertain whether this was because the Golden Beach residents insisted on strictest security measures or because they just wanted to ogle her. As always, she was charming to them. Stars who ignored the little people soon found themselves wondering how unpleasant stories got around and secrets were exposed.

As she parked the car and walked up the stone path, she was surprised by an unexpected flutter in her midsection. The thought of facing Annelie again was nerve-wracking, and she steeled herself for the possibility that she would not be made especially welcome. Not that it would matter. She'd all but decided she was going to tell Annelie she no longer wished to take advantage of the pool.

She was about to let herself in when the door opened and Annelie stood there smiling at her. "You're early." she said. "Perfect timing."

"Excuse me?"

Annelie startled Carolyn by extending both hands to take hers. "I have some people here I want you to meet. Don't worry. It's very casual and—"

"You're having guests?" The sound of several female voices laughing made her flinch. "Look, I don't want to intrude."

"I have a few friends over for lunch, and I'd love for you to join us. Please say yes."

The straightforward invitation seemed genuine. Carolyn gazed at Annelie, trying to gauge her expression. She saw nothing but honesty.

"They'd kill me if they knew you were here and they didn't get to meet you. Please?" Annelie continued her pitch. "You'll make me look good."

This unexpected playfulness was irresistible. "All right," Carolyn said. "I'd be glad to stay and meet your friends. Who are they?"

"Most of them are authors." Annelie led her indoors. "Also Jem, my chief editor, is here. She's one of my best friends, and so is Kitty McNeil."

"Kitty McNeil? Jared loves her work. He's really into science fiction and fantasy. I read one of her novels when I visited him last spring and found it intriguing."

"Really?" Annelie sounded surprised. "She'll be thrilled when you tell her."

Walking toward the living room, Carolyn realized she was nervous about meeting Annelie's friends. Inhaling deeply, she slipped into her professional skin. This was nothing but another audience and, to quote Jared, her best role was playing herself.

The women were sitting comfortably around the coffee table. The actress was sure she heard an exhaled, "Oh, my God," from someone.

As Annelie made the introductions, Carolyn reached across the coffee table and shook hands with everyone. She had to smile when she noticed how stunned they seemed by her presence.

"This is unbelievable," Sam exclaimed. "I knew there was a chance we'd get to meet you, but I didn't think it would be today."

"It's very nice of Annelie to include me," Carolyn said.

Sam grinned. "Yeah, nice for us."

***

They moved to the adjoining room, where chairs ringed the oval table. A white linen tablecloth set with white china and decorations of light blue and peach made the table look festive. Sitting down after complimenting Mary, and keeping an eye on things, Annelie made sure Carolyn ended up next to her.

"What brings you to Florida, Carolyn?" Deena, a Canadian romance novelist, asked as she unfolded her napkin.

"I'm visiting a friend and also attended the Nebula Circle's fundraiser. I hear the evening made a lot of money for the children."

"It did," Annelie agreed, "thanks to generous people like you."

"I just bought a few books," Carolyn said. "I saw somebody buy a painting for a tidy sum."

"True." Annelie nodded. "We had some nice things for sale."

The women spent the following half hour mixing their appreciation of Mary's food with conversation. Sarah, a diminutive woman from Texas, entertained them with an outrageous story about her mother's latest adventure.

"I can't believe it!" Carolyn gasped for air between bouts of laughter. "They called 911 because of a beeping hearing aid?"

"It's a true story," Sarah vowed. "My mother and her sister honestly thought the mysterious sound came from a crashing satellite from space."

Annelie laughed until her stomach hurt. Suddenly she felt Carolyn put a hand on her knee for support as the actress doubled over, laughing deep in her throat—a thoroughly sexy sound.

"Right!" Sarah sighed. "And this is why my partner says she's genetically concerned!"

Annelie looked at Carolyn, amazed at how relaxed the other woman seemed. She had joined in the fun, listened intently to Sarah's story, and the sound of her laughter had made Annelie shiver.

Throwing her head back and laughing again, Carolyn wiped tears from her eyes with a peach napkin. She winked at her hostess and began, "That reminds me of an incident while I was filming in Spey Valley, in Scotland…"

The women around the table listened intently to Carolyn's story of strange noises in the night turning out to be rampaging sheep. Animated, her eyes sparkling, the actress had them all in her hand, and she obviously knew it. Her hands. I always loved her hands. Well-kept and expressive, they moved with the tale, emphasizing Carolyn's horror when the sound outside the cottage had come closer. She demonstrated vividly her trepidation when she approached the window, reaching out to open an imaginary window above the table, only to recoil quickly, pressing the right side of her back against Annelie's shoulder.

"I heard something go ‘bah.' Very loud." Carolyn's voice was a mere whisper. "I stopped in midair and leaned forward again, actually sticking my head out the window." She leaned forward again, eyes wide. "Something wet, and cold, and in dire need of a breath mint, appeared half an inch before me!"

Pulling back, Carolyn again pressed against Annelie, to demonstrate her dismay. "At least a dozen sheep had escaped their confinement and were crowding my garden."

Unable to keep from laughing along with everybody else at the look on Carolyn's face, Annelie realized the other woman had once again placed her hand on her knee. As if Carolyn had just noticed this as well, she casually withdrew, resuming her relaxed posture on her chair.

The conversation kept flowing easily among the women, and Carolyn seemed to appreciate the friendly banter. She was the center of attention but also utterly charming as she questioned the others. Each of the women present was obviously flattered that Carolyn Black showed an individual interest in her. When, occasionally, she turned directly to Annelie, her eyes held nothing of the resolute defiance from the other day. Instead, they seemed more blue than gray, indecipherable. How much of this is an act, Carolyn? All of it? Some? It could be so easy to merely assume you're being honest. That this is really who you are.

A few moments after Mary cleared the lunch plates away, Annelie rose and said, "I'll just go see if Mary needs a hand with dessert."

"I can help as well," Carolyn offered, getting to her feet.

This raised a few objections from the other guests, who seemed to be enjoying her company. Lightly, Carolyn said, "Talk among yourselves, but make sure it's about me. Okay?"

Annelie was astonished to hear Carolyn make this small joke at her own expense. Peals of laughter followed them down the hallway to the kitchen.

Mary was loading the dishwasher. "I've whipped the cream but that's all," she said. "You can decorate them if you want."

"We're having chocolate mousse with whipped cream and raspberries," Annelie explained, opening the refrigerator. She located the cream and spooned some of it into a piping bag. Then she started drawing small circles of cream on the mousse.

"Looks delicious, but then again, so was the entire lunch," Carolyn said. "Are the berries going on top of this?"

Annelie shot her an amused look. "Yes. If you'd like, you can stack some raspberries just inside the circle of cream—about five of them on each." Glancing at Carolyn, she smiled again, watching her stick the tip of her tongue out while focusing on her task.

"I normally don't cook," Carolyn confessed.

Annelie laughed. "I have news for you. This isn't cooking. This is decorating."

"Ah, semantics." Carolyn wrinkled her nose at her hostess. "This is harder than putting butter and marmalade on toast, which is where I normally draw the line."

Annelie shook her head. "You've got to be kidding. Marmalade on toast? That's about the least nutritional thing you can possibly eat."

"Nope, not kidding. And I happen to love apricot marmalade."

After decorating the last bowls of mousse, Annelie moved to her left. Carolyn moved to the right at the same time, reaching for the last of the berries. Standing close enough for their arms to touch, she arranged five berries on the last two bowls and ate one of the two leftover fruit.

Lifting the other, she held it close to Annelie's lips. "Want the last one?" The suggestive gesture was contradicted by what looked like innocence in her eyes.

Ignoring her instinctive reservations, Annelie lowered her head and took the berry. Her lips briefly touched Carolyn's fingertips, and as she crushed the fruit with her tongue, she watched those remarkable eyes widen.

Annelie did not avert her gaze, and for a long moment the two women stood transfixed, Carolyn's attention riveted to Annelie's mouth. Moving slowly, as if unaware of what she was doing, the actress placed a slender, caressing hand over Annelie's elbow and stepped well within her personal space, leaning in as if to kiss her.

Annelie could sense heat radiating off Carolyn's body, permeating the air around her. She could hear the blood rushing in her ears and feel its telltale presence in her cheeks. Not until Carolyn was just a breath away from her lips did she attempt to pull herself together. Mustering enough strength, she managed to withdraw a step.

"Annelie?" Carolyn's voice was almost inaudible, her eyes dark and wide.

Swallowing hard, Annelie found her voice. "I'm sorry. I can't."

Their eyes locked; neither woman was able to pull back completely. Annelie tried to gauge Carolyn's expression. She didn't seem hurt, but instead surprised and bewildered—stunned at her own initiative. Annelie couldn't imagine why Carolyn had tried to kiss her. Surely she knew Annelie was gay; it was virtually an open secret. Touched by something completely vulnerable in her expression, Annelie raised a tentative hand, wanting to temper the rejection. But before she could speak, rapid steps announced Mary's presence and Carolyn sprang back a step.

"I see you've done a great job. Do you want me to bring it in?" the housekeeper asked.

Annelie immediately snapped out of her daze. "No, no, that's okay. I'll take them. Why don't you bring the coffee, Mary?"

She did not know whether to give Carolyn a reassuring smile or not, so she lifted the tray and walked out of the kitchen, hearing the actress follow her.

As they entered the dining room and were swept up in laughter and conversation again, Annelie stole a glance at Carolyn. For some reason, she was sorry to see the vulnerable woman from the kitchen had disappeared. In her stead Carolyn Black, the ambitious actress, once more took possession of the room.

***

Mary set coffee cups on a side table while Annelie handed out the chocolate mousse. Jem took the chair next to Carolyn's, and Annelie resumed her seat on her other side. Carolyn caught her breath at the brush of that lithe body so close to hers. Her heart was still thundering, as if trying to escape her rib cage. The incident in Annelie's kitchen had caught her off guard.

What had gotten into her? Only her ability to slip into her star persona had saved her from running away and embarrassing herself further. Standing there with two leftover raspberries in her hands, she'd acted on impulse. Annelie had stood there, her hair like a golden cloud around her narrow shoulders, looking at her with darkening ice

blue eyes. I could have sworn she responded to me at first. Carolyn wondered what the publisher was thinking now.

Having been approached by several lesbians over the year, most of them working in her line of business, she had more or less standardized a way of politely letting them know she wasn't interested. She used the same technique with most men; she was nowhere near the man-eater some gossip columnist had pegged her to be. Sure, she used her sex appeal when it suited her, but compared to some of her colleagues, she was practically a nun. Is that what I instinctively did? Glancing around the table, she barely kept from biting her lower lip as it began to tremble. She didn't think anyone noticed.

Carolyn felt Annelie's presence next to her like heat radiating against her skin. She had never felt even the remotest attraction toward a woman. How could I possibly find the catty, competitive women I know even the slightest alluring? It's not like we're buddies, exactly. Annelie was not a friend, nor was she a colleague or rival. She holds my future. The thought made Carolyn swallow hard and almost forget to smile toward Kitty, who was discussing something with Annelie. Focus. Don't let them see you lost your footing. Carolyn sighed. Why did I do it? Why the hell did I lower my defenses like that?

"Oh, chocolate mousse," the woman across from her exclaimed, interrupting Carolyn's thoughts. "I've loved this since I was a child."

"So does my niece," Carolyn added, trying to find her bearings by willing her thoughts in a different direction. "Pamela loves chocolate, just like I do."

"How old is she?" Gillian asked.

"She's four, going on forty."

"I know the feeling. My best friend's daughter is just like that!"

"Pamela is quite inventive and, being an only child so far, she's used to getting her own way. Once, when she was barely two and I was taking care of her for the weekend, she wanted to go out and play in the sandbox in the park. I told her no, it was raining and we'd have to wait until the sun came out."

"I guess this didn't go down well."

"It did, at first. She could see the rain from her window and seemed to take no for an answer." Carolyn sipped her coffee, pleased to see everyone hanging on her words. Somehow it helped her find her bearings again. "Anyhow, I was doing some ironing for my sister… now, don't look so shocked, Kitty. I can iron."

Ignoring the comment after giving Annelie a half grin, Carolyn continued. "You know how suddenly you realize the house is way too quiet—which normally means the kid, or the pet, in question is up to something. I went looking for Pamela and—speaking of pets—I found her in their cat's litter box, scooping kitty litter into her little plastic bucket."

"Ew." Jem frowned. "And God knows what else."

"Exactly," Carolyn said. "And, of course, she used her most angelic smile when she looked up at me and said ‘sandbox, Auntie Lyn,' looking absolutely adorable."

The women laughed, shaking their heads as they commented on children and pets they had run into.

"‘Auntie Lyn'?" Annelie murmured next to Carolyn. "It sounds very cute."

Carolyn raised an eyebrow at her hostess. "Don't even go there."

Annelie only laughed. "We'll see."

***

Annelie waved goodbye to her guests who were returning to their hotel. The cabdriver holding open the door for them watched in bewilderment as the four laughing women seemed to literally take over his vehicle.

"See you soon!" Annelie raised her voice for them to hear, and they waved back.

Annelie turned to Jem, who remained by her side, waiting until the cab drove off before walking to her own car.

"Aren't they great? I think the luncheon was quite the hit."

"It was and, of course, having Carolyn Black as a surprise guest of honor didn't hurt."

Annelie smiled. "No. I thought Sam was going to faint when Carolyn hugged her."

"True, but Carolyn only had eyes for you."

Annelie had started walking toward the living room where Kitty and Sam were waiting, but now stopped in her tracks. "What do you mean?"

"It was very subtle but also very obvious, at least to me. I think the rest of them were so enthralled with her presence, they weren't paying attention. But she couldn't take her eyes off you."

Looking at her good friend, Annelie didn't know what to say. "Was it that obvious?"

"Maybe only to me. When you came back from the kitchen, you looked flustered, and she put on quite a show with the story about her niece. Did something happen?"

"We decorated the chocolate mousse," Annelie managed, trying to sound casual. "That's all."

Jem's eyes softened. "I don't think that's all, honey, but I won't pry, 'cause it's none of my business. I'm just looking out for you. Carolyn wants that part, and who knows what she's prepared to do to get it."

Annelie winced at the candid words. "I know," she whispered. "And yet, she has her vulnerable moments, Jem. When she's just Carolyn and not acting…I've seen it."

"Just don't buy into it too much, kiddo. Be careful and think of what's at stake here." Jem put her arm around Annelie's waist and hugged her quickly. "I don't want you to get hurt—or used."

"I won't."

"All right, fair enough."

They walked back into the living room where Kitty and Sam looked decidedly sleepy.

"The jet lag has set in, I see," Jem remarked. "I think it's time for me to head home, but I look forward to seeing you in the office Monday before you leave for Orlando, Kitty. I still have three chapters of your latest novel to edit, and I'll try to finish them this weekend."

"Excellent." Kitty yawned. "I'm honored you'd work through the weekend for my sake."

"Not a problem. I'd go with you if I had the time. I may try to visit Disney World after the convention, unless everything goes crazy around the office afterward."

"I think we can leave it for Gregory to handle," Annelie suggested. "You should take a few days off then. I know how you love Epcot."

Jem grinned sheepishly. It was a standing joke around the office how much the strong-willed, classy editor adored "the House of Mouse."

Sam rose from her slumped position on the couch, stretching and making a face because of her sore muscles.

"I don't know about you, but I'm off to bed. I'm exhausted." She gave Annelie a quick hug. "Today was wonderful and Carolyn Black was great."

"I second that," Kitty said, and followed her partner's example. "She was very nice and a lot of fun to talk to. She honestly seems to like us."

Annelie nodded. "I think she had a great time too—she told me so before she left."

"Sam smiled. "I can't wait to tell my mother—she's also a great Black fan—I've actually shaken her hand, talked to her for an entire afternoon, and even had a hug from her."

After the two women said goodbye to Jem and left the room, Annelie turned to Jem and shrugged. "Glad they didn't pick up on any special glances. I don't want any rumors. If—and I say if—I give this role to Carolyn, it's by merit only, no other reason."

Jem raised an eyebrow. "I hope you'll be able to tell the difference. Be sure any decision you make is made for the right reason."

Annelie knew the other woman was right. "I will."

"You look tired too. The luncheon turned into an all-day event. Are you going to get some rest?"

"It's too early for me yet. I have some correspondence to take care of, and then I'll unwind with a glass of apple juice on the patio. It looks like it's going to be a lovely evening."

"I should go home and get started on those last three chapters. I didn't want to raise false hopes, but it looks like Kitty may have her biggest hit so far. I had to force myself to read slowly and make notes, when really I wanted to plow through the pages and devour the book."

"That good, huh?"

"That good."

The two women hugged again, and Jem left.

Annelie strolled into her study and opened her e-mail, looking for messages marked "urgent." She wanted them out of the way before the weekend, since she had several things planned with Kitty and Sam. An hour and a half later she turned off the computer, went to the kitchen, and poured a glass of juice, then wandered out to the fully screened-in part of the patio. Sitting down in a deck chair, she inhaled the humid, scented evening air. It was still early, and she had no desire to go to bed yet.

Carolyn had taken her by surprise in the kitchen. The narrow lips, becoming so full when she smiled, had parted as Carolyn had touched her arm. It had taken all of Annelie's willpower not to respond to the beautiful woman.

Annelie thought about Jem's warnings. She agreed with the other woman's assessment of Carolyn Black in many ways. Still, Jem hadn't seen Carolyn when the diva persona left and made room for the real woman.

She sipped her juice. Maybe that was it. They'd joked around in the kitchen, decorating the chocolate mousse and acting like two friends— not the producer and the actress. Carolyn had offered the raspberry with a truly innocent look in her eyes, and only when Annelie's lips had grazed her fingertips had the situation altered.

To watch Carolyn slip back into her part as herself, the diva with an image to uphold, had been like witnessing a miracle. From looking flustered and embarrassed in the kitchen, the actress had swept into the living room as if she had entered a Broadway stage in front of adoring fans and simply owned the situation. She had told her anecdote, her voice steady and humorous, and her audience had swallowed it hook, line, and sinker.

Still, there had been several moments when their eyes had locked. The fact that the two of them had been sitting almost touching hadn't helped.

Annelie had, as a starstruck teenager, followed Carolyn's career, first as Devon Harper on TV and later as a stage and screen actress. She had never kept a scrapbook, and the small allowance her mother could afford to give her did not provide her enough cash to go and see her movies, except on special occasions. Something about the elegant face with the compelling eyes and the throaty, purring voice spoke to Annelie on so many levels. She suspected it always would.

Annelie drank the last of her juice and rose. Whatever Carolyn's motive was for trying to kiss her, it wouldn't happen again, she was pretty sure. The actress had seemed devastated when Annelie pulled back. Remembering how tired and subdued she looked just before she left, Annelie wondered if she should have offered to pick Carolyn up at the airport when she got back from D.C. on Sunday. Considering it for a moment, she decided that making such an offer might imply she was willing to compromise her principles. Carolyn was bent on getting that reading, and Annelie didn't want to do it before the convention. That would be asking for trouble.

She walked into the quiet house and put the empty glass into the dishwasher and continued to the bedroom. Running the shower, she frowned. What could have happened if she'd let Carolyn kiss her? As far as she knew, all of Carolyn Black's previous relationships had been with men, suggesting she didn't harbor any authentic interest in Annelie. More than likely, Jem was right to caution her. Carolyn was not above manipulating anyone who stood in her way. She had a solid reputation for being an arrogant star.

Undressing and stepping into the shower, Annelie closed her eyes, enjoying the pulsating water massaging her stiff shoulders. Despite what Jem said, a strange feeling had existed between her and Carolyn in the kitchen, something almost tangible. She had glimpsed the real Carolyn just for a moment, and she wanted to see her again.

The water streamed down her body like caressing hands. Chastising herself for indulging in futile fantasies, Annelie reached for the soap and a sponge, then scrubbed her skin until it glowed.

An annoying voice inside her head kept asking if she was trying to wash away the feeling of Carolyn's touch, however brief.

She simply did not know.

Chapter Five

Carolyn was relieved that only a handful of people were on the return flight to Miami. She had both seats in first class to herself, and even if the flight attendants' glances revealed they recognized her, they were professional enough to leave her alone. They probably saw enough celebrities to last them a lifetime.

Pulling her legs up under her, Carolyn moved restlessly in the seat. She had not slept well during the stay with her sister. Little Pamela had been nothing short of ecstatic to see her and demanded most of her attention. Beth, in turn, looked pale and nauseated most of the weekend, and all Carolyn could do was provide supportive comments about her tenuous pregnancy.

Late that Saturday, after Carolyn gave up falling asleep in their guest room, she ran into Joe in the kitchen. Her migraine had escalated since the flight on Friday evening and was now close to unbearable.

"Are you okay, Lyn?" Joe looked concerned.

"Just need some juice for my pills. I'll be okay."

"Headaches again?"

"Yes."

After a brief silence her brother-in-law walked up to her and put a reassuring arm around her shoulder. "You're so protective toward Beth, but you'd tell me if something was really wrong, wouldn't you?"

Fighting back tears, Carolyn leaned into the brotherly touch, tempted to actually cry on his shoulder. "Of course I would. It's nothing I can't handle." Nothing I haven't handled before in so many different ways.

"I've never seen you this pale and tired," Joe insisted, his voice kind. "I know this weekend isn't turning out to be much of a rest. It's just that Pamela adores you, and Beth…well, I guess Beth will always be your kid sister if you don't cut her loose a bit."

Carolyn gave him a sharp look. "What's that supposed to mean?"

"Beth's thirty-four, but I guess to you she'll always be the baby you mothered from the time you were twelve."

Carolyn had swallowed an acerbic retort, knowing he was right. Beth and John had depended on her for motherly affection for so long. Their struggles had strengthened their ties, and when John moved out of the house at twenty-one to go to art school, Carolyn had missed him terribly.

Carolyn stared wordlessly at her brother-in-law. Wondering, not for the first time, if Beth knew what a treasure he was, she raised her hand and patted his upper arm.

"I know, Joey, I know. One day, I'll get around to it."

Her half-joking tone of voice had worked. Joe grinned. "Just let me know if there's ever anything I can take care of for you. Promise."

Carolyn shifted in her seat again, affected by the pressurized air. Her temples throbbed, pulsated in painful waves, and not even the nasal spray seemed to work. She had not been able to go swimming anywhere in D.C., but perhaps she could swing by Jared's, pick up her gym bag, and head for Annelie's house.

The thought of Jared, of being under her friend's knowing gaze, made her recoil and suck in her lower lip, biting down on it hard. He always seemed to see right through her. Jared was her friend and he knew her well, too well, and sometimes he took it upon himself to point out her weaknesses.

Carolyn sighed. She had a feeling he thought much about her needed fixing. Jared's clear-sightedness could be unnerving as well. A small voice inside insisted that a true friend accepts you, and likes you, for who you are. But how could he know who I am? Maybe I'm the one to blame. I never let him in completely.

When they met five years earlier, she had been relieved when all Jared seemed to want from her was friendship. Only then did she begin to relax around him, feeling for the first time in years the budding signs of camaraderie.

Jared had not been too impressed that her college boyfriend, and later her first and only husband, had "chickened out," as he called it, because of her circumstances. "Beth and John were only kids," he'd said. "Where were they supposed to go, if they couldn't be with you?"

Carolyn smirked at the memory. She had long forgiven Derek, her first serious boyfriend, for not wanting to be a father figure at age twenty-two. Still, the very young, grief-stricken woman she was at the time felt desperately abandoned and rejected.

Her marriage to Frank Thorpe three years later lasted just that, three years. After a stormy engagement while filming together during her first feature-film role, they got married. I sure landed on my ass pretty fast after the honeymoon was over. He could never make up his mind. Either I was not at all what he wanted, or I was too much. Turning her head toward the dark sky outside the window, Carolyn felt her tears reach her eyelashes, but she refused to let them fall any farther. I spent three years being lonely. Eventually his ultimatum that she had to choose between him and her siblings terminated the marriage. He knew how I'd choose.

After that her relationships were short, burned white-hot, but ended before any of the flames reduced her life to ashes again, leaving her feeling unfulfilled and unsatisfied. Carolyn had rebounded from one of these—two heated months with a Broadway producer—into a platonic friendship with Jared, and over the years they'd found a comfortable tone between them, which worked as long as he didn't try to change her too much. Right now she felt his Argus eyes on her, judging her motives and challenging them. It bothered her more than usual, probably since she was at a loss herself over some of her most recent actions.

"Ladies and gentlemen, we're now approaching Miami International Airport and will be landing in ten minutes…"

The plane bounced twice before rushing down the runway. Nausea rose within her, making Carolyn swallow hard repeatedly. What she wouldn't give to be in the tranquil neighborhood where Annelie lived, stretching out on a deck chair after a long swim.

***

Annelie floorboarded it and smiled as the Mustang gave a muted roar. Driving down the busy street toward the on-ramp, she settled against the backrest after switching on a Debussy piano prelude. The soft, romantic music filled the car and toned down the engine. Having spent four hours at the office, she was on her way home to meet her friend Charlotta. They went back many years, at least twenty, Annelie calculated. Growing up in the same neighborhood in Chicago, they had attended the same school before Charlotta had moved to a different district north of the city.

Annelie frowned while thinking of the hard time her childhood friend had gone through. Charlotta had become ill two years ago and lost her job while recuperating. Then her ex-husband had gained custody of their three children, claiming she was an unfit mother and couldn't support them. Charlotta had been too weak to fight, too ill to stand her ground, and Annelie blamed herself for not staying in touch.

She had learned of Charlotta's situation only four months ago and had convinced her to move to Florida temporarily to regain her health. She had helped her by paying for a rehab clinic and later cosigning a lease for a small, but nice, apartment on the city's outskirts. Having reached rock bottom, the other woman was beyond false pride. She had gratefully accepted Annelie's help, desperate to regain custody of her children.

Annelie knew Charlotta loved her new place and had already begun preparing two small rooms for the children. She was coming over to pick up the last of her things from Annelie's home that morning, having stayed there several weeks earlier. She would be thrilled with the contract Annelie had in her briefcase formalizing Charlotta's new position as an assistant at the Nebula Circle. The job would at least end her financial problems.

Adjusting to the quicker pace on the highway, Annelie thought about the recent meeting with Gregory and Jem at Key Line. Gregory had updated them on all the signed contracts for the upcoming convention and also reported on how well prepared the merchandising was. Apart from the usual photos of the stars, audiobooks, and more third-edition copies of all the Maddox books, he'd also ordered mugs, posters, key rings, and terry-cloth towels, all displaying Key Line's logo and the Maddox book titles. Then Annelie had disclosed the final evening's big surprise—three first-edition copies signed by Delia Carlton, first prize in a raffle for Nebula Circle.

"We'll take a chartered Lear jet to Orlando International," Gregory had continued, "and I've arranged for shuttles. We all have suites on the eleventh floor, as Annelie requested. Most of them consist of adjoining suites, so we'll be a close-knit group. I made an additional reservation for Ms. McNeil and Ms. Jordan, so they can join us there, as well as Charlotta Hazelwood."

"Did you find out how many guests have booked rooms?" Annelie asked.

"There are no vacancies. They decided to bring in the adjoining hotel located on the other side of the large mall. The two hotels have booked six floors and are still receiving inquiries."

"How many tickets have we sold?"

Gregory pulled up the numbers on his handheld computer. "All of the all-events passes went as soon as they were released. About 75 percent of the day-only passes have gone. We have a thousand unclassified tickets allowing the visitor to attend certain events, and about half of those are gone."

Annelie did some mental calculations. "So, we've sold about two thousand tickets?"

"Exactly." Gregory beamed. "We're well past breaking even."

"Amazing," Annelie said. "Well, it'll be interesting to see what the photos, books, audiobooks, and other merchandise bring in."

After the meeting, alone with Jem, Annelie had given a soft sigh and leaned back into her chair, reaching for a glass of mineral water.

"Some days I feel the responsibility weighing on me," she admitted when she saw Jem raise her eyebrows. "I haven't undertaken this much work in quite a while."

"And now the pace is full speed ahead," Jem offered.

"Yes. Also, I'm nervous about not making the right decision about the movies. I promised Delia and she trusts me. If I choose the wrong person to play Diana Maddox, the whole project could be ruined." Annelie made a face at her self-doubt. "Sorry, I don't mean to sound so gloomy."

"It's okay, kiddo. It's good to vent, don't you know that? I wouldn't want to be the one making that decision. Who would want to make an enemy of Carolyn Black for life?" She laughed at her own joke.

Annelie didn't find it so funny.

"Did she come over during the weekend?" Jem reached for a bag of lime-flavored chips.

Annelie shook her head. "No, she's been in D.C. Some family issues."

"Ah. Well, I've been thinking. I know the suits want Ms. Breathless…" She broke off when Annelie groaned. "Oh, excuse me, Ms. Goodman, to play Maddox, but I'm not convinced. I think

Carolyn Black can play any damn role they throw at her. She's a true chameleon."

Annelie knew Jem had a point. Carolyn's career was proof of that.

"I've never doubted her ability as an actress, but that doesn't mean she's right as Maddox." What if she's right…and I make the wrong decision, for the wrong reason? Annelie tried to examine her feelings, but merely doing what the experts advised her seemed the most logical way out. Or simply the easiest? No, there was nothing easy about disappointing Carolyn.

Jem eyed her closely. "Don't you think you owe her the benefit of the doubt?"

Wincing at the truth behind her friend's words, Annelie sighed. "Her contribution to the audiobooks…well, she's the major reason they're doing so well." Voicing this undeniable fact made her reasons for procrastinating regarding Carolyn's reading seem petty. I'm being unfair. She's earned it. "Still, I'm against giving Carolyn the role by default, just because of that." Or because I was once a starstruck teenager who would've given my right arm to see her perform.

"I guess you do need to know a lot more about her before you make your decision. When's her screen test?"

Was Jem reading her mind? Annelie sipped her water. "I haven't scheduled it yet, but I ought to call Parker. Perhaps later today."

"All right." Jem closed the bag of chips and gave a sly grin. "If you ask me, I think she'll blow everyone away as Maddox. But that's just me."

Now as she drove through the gates, Annelie wondered how she would be able to deal with Carolyn after what took place in the kitchen during the luncheon. She could still vividly picture how the actress had leaned into her, the soft hand on her arm, as the fine lips came closer.

Once she'd parked in her driveway, Annelie grabbed her briefcase and jumped out. Pushing the thoughts of the beautiful woman out of her mind, she fought to focus on the last-minute things to do before Charlotta arrived.

***

The cul-de-sac was filled with cars, blocking the driveway to

Annelie's house. Muttering under her breath, Carolyn drove back to a small parking lot at the beginning of the street and managed to find the last available spot. She opened the door, and the humidity engulfed her as she grabbed her bag from the passenger seat.

Carolyn pulled the card through the reader and listened to the familiar sound of the gate clicking open. Deciding to go straight to the pool, she took the garden path around the house. As she rounded the corner, Carolyn glanced toward the large windows and stopped abruptly. Annelie was home and stood in a tight embrace, her arms around a petite woman with fiery red hair in a pageboy. The stranger had buried her face against Annelie's shoulder. Oddly disturbed by the sight, Carolyn stalked to the patio and removed her shorts.

She was already wearing her swimsuit under her clothes, and she dived into the deep end of the pool without ceremony, swimming half a length underwater.

As the cool water closed above her, she felt protected. She remained below for as long as she could before she surfaced unwillingly, inhaled deeply, and dived again. Carolyn kept this routine up until she was so out of breath she had to stop and grasp the edge. Pulling herself up with the last of her strength, she sat in the sun gasping for air. Her head pounded, and she cursed inwardly at her treacherous body.

When her dizziness from lack of oxygen had dissipated, she leaned toward her bag and pulled out her cigarettes. Lighting one, she sucked the smoke deep into her lungs, coughing as it stung her throat. Tears burned behind her eyelids as scattered emotions whirled through her mind. She tried to calm down but failed miserably. What the hell was the matter with her?

"Carolyn? I walked my friend to the door and didn't see the Lincoln. Where did you park?"

The alto voice cut through her tumultuous thoughts and made it possible for her to focus. Glancing up, Carolyn squinted toward the sun. "I parked down the street at the visitors' parking lot. Your driveway's blocked."

"Yes, I saw that. Charlotta's cab had problems getting here too." Annelie sat down next to Carolyn, water soaking the hem of her khaki shorts as she dipped her feet in the pool. "Welcome back. How was your flight?"

"Okay. I had a couple of seats to myself." Hating herself for

sounding so short, Carolyn put the cigarette to her lips, inhaling deeply again.

"You look pale," Annelie observed. "Is something wrong?"

"I'll be fine. I guess I'm just tired after spending the weekend with my niece."

Apparently not buying into the explanation, Annelie reached out as Carolyn raised the cigarette to her mouth again and stopped her midway.

"You're trembling," she insisted in a soft voice. "You've got dark circles under your eyes, and you look exhausted. Please let me try to help."

Annelie's voice wrapped around Carolyn like a soothing blanket, yet she still instinctively withdrew, determined to protect herself from becoming too vulnerable.

"The woman earlier…Is she why you didn't let me kiss you?" she blurted out, shocked at her own defensive tone of voice.

"Who…" Annelie frowned. "Oh, you mean Charlotta?"

"Whoever. I saw the two of you."

Obviously she was losing her mind, alienating the woman who held her immediate future in her hands. Carolyn wished she could take the words back, but now her head pulsated with every beat of her heart.

"Charlotta is one of my oldest friends. I hug my friends, as I'm sure you do too. She came over to sign some papers and to fetch her things. We grew up together, and she's been very ill. Unlike you, I'm not in a relationship, Carolyn. I just don't date straight, married, or curious women. It makes life complicated and brings too much heartache." Annelie's voice was kind but firm.

Carolyn opened her mouth to speak, but her voice failed her twice before she spoke the truth. "Jared and I are not a couple. I don't do happy couples, Annelie." She fought back the stupid tears and looked down at her cigarette, humiliated by the bitterness in her tone.

It had not been her intention to reveal anything of herself to this woman, certainly not to appear weak. The actress of a certain age admits her personal life is not exactly fulfilling…what a cliché.

To compound her embarrassment, Annelie took the cigarette from her and pressed it down into the closest flowerpot. "Have you eaten anything since you came back?"

"No. I came straight here. I needed to swim."

"I see." Annelie rose to her feet before extending a hand toward Carolyn and pulling her up. "Well, before you do, it might be a good idea to eat something. Mary has the day off, but my omelets aren't too bad." She led Carolyn through the door into the guest room. "Why don't you take a shower? Make it a hot one. You're still shivering. If you like, you can use the robe hanging behind the door, and then join me in the kitchen. Okay?"

"All right," Carolyn whispered, feeling strangely relieved someone else had taken command for once.

"Good. I'll start lunch."

***

Annelie arranged some lettuce, tomatoes, and cucumbers next to the omelets and filled two glasses with ice water. Deciding it was too hot on the patio, she placed everything on the small kitchen table.

"It smells good," a throaty voice from the doorway said.

Annelie glanced up and saw Carolyn hesitating on the threshold, dressed in a gray terry-cloth robe. Her slightly tousled hair was almost dry and framed her pale face.

"You okay?"

"Yes, thanks. I used one of the guest toothbrushes."

"That's what they're for."

The two women sat down to eat, and Annelie waited until Carolyn had managed half of her serving before continuing their conversation. "Want to talk about it?" Her voice was noncommittal.

"What do you mean?"

"I see you're not feeling well, and it looks like you're not at all as rested as you should've been after going away for the weekend."

"It wasn't that kind of going away. I had to fly up to D.C. to check on some family matters, and I…" Shoulders slumping, Carolyn laced her fingers into her hair. "I'm worried about my sister. She acted fine around me during the weekend, and yet…There's something. I don't know. Perhaps I'm reading too much into it."

"You care a lot about her."

"She's fragile right now. I know she's a grown woman, but she's the baby of the family." Carolyn lifted a shoulder in a shrug. "You could say she and her husband Joe are my only family."

Annelie thought there was more behind the light words than Carolyn let on. "Families are important," she murmured, the words leaving a hollow feeling in her heart.

Carolyn leaned forward, her eyes clouding over with a darker shade of gray. The hurt in those eyes made Annelie's heart skip a beat. There was a raw, naked pain in Carolyn's voice that sounded genuine as she spoke. "Yes, families can be everything. I just wish Jared's family didn't have to be my concern right now. I've got too much on my mind at the time."

"What do you mean?"

"Jared's parents, sister, and brother-in-law are flying down from Boston. They're going to be staying with him for a few days."

"Sounds a bit crowded." Annelie fought to sound casual.

"It's not that. The condo is big enough. His sister never gives up on wanting to pair us off. His mother, on the other hand, never gives up hoping we never do." Carolyn sighed, rubbing the back of her neck. "Right now it's more than I can deal with. I think I'll have to return to New York for a while."

She has to leave? Unwilling, and perhaps unable, to examine the quick stir of panic, Annelie thought quickly. From a professional standpoint, it would be easier to deal with the casting situation with Carolyn out of town. But I don't want her to go. Recoiling from her muddled motives, Annelie knew what to do. Sensing she would have to make the offer sound matter-of-fact and logical, she waited until Carolyn had finished her omelet.

"You know what? I have an idea." She smiled innocently, extending a hand across the table. "Come with me."

"But I'm not dressed," the actress objected as Annelie took her by the hand again. "Where are we going?"

"I want to show you something. Don't worry, it's not far."

Not letting go of the small hand, Annelie again led Carolyn through the kitchen door, into the garage. Carolyn quirked an inquisitive eyebrow at her. Annelie smiled broadly at her and opened the garage door. Outside she took a left turn and climbed a narrow staircase. Pulling out a key card, she pulled it through the reader next to the white door at the top of the stairs.

"There you go, please step inside," she invited her surprised guest.

Carolyn hesitated for a moment, giving Annelie a cautious smile. "Should I be concerned?"

"Don't be silly. Go on."

They entered the small garage apartment, and Annelie watched Carolyn walk from the tastefully decorated living room into the small kitchenette and then examine the bathroom and two small bedrooms.

"Do you like it?" Annelie asked.

"Yes, it's wonderful. What a lovely little apartment."

"Can you see yourself spending a couple of nights here?"

There was a stunned silence. Annelie knew she had to convince Carolyn this was a good idea. "Look at it this way," she continued. "I know you have some family issues going on—and I'm not prying—and you're about to be swamped by opinionated relations of a friend. Here you can relax, just hang out, and take your swim. The place is fully equipped. You can make calls…and there's a computer installed in the niche over there—" Annelie's voice broke off, and she had to laugh at the disgust on Carolyn's face. "Okay, so you don't have to use the computer—just the phone, then."

"You wouldn't mind me staying so close to you?"

Annelie opened her mouth to answer but closed it again. Was there something more behind Carolyn's question? "It's just for a few nights, so I'm sure we wouldn't crowd each other. You'd be my guest."

Carolyn turned around, looking the elegant apartment over again. "I'd be a fool not to accept," she replied, her voice soft. "Thank you, Annelie. I appreciate your offer."

"You're welcome. You can just pick up a few of your things at Jared's. I'm sure he'll understand."

"I don't keep many personal belongings at his condo." Carolyn walked toward the bedroom overlooking the patio. "I think I'll sleep in here, away from the driveway."

"Good point. Let me know if there's anything else I can do to help."

Carolyn pivoted and walked up to Annelie. Looking up, her eyes calmer than before, she said, "You've done so much already. Today's been…different. I'm not used to anyone taking care of me like this."

Annelie was stunned to hear this. Somehow she had pictured someone as renowned as Carolyn being fawned over everywhere she went. Furtively, she studied the other woman as she moved around the living room, looking at the delicate figurines on a shelf. Instead of pushing her shoulders up and hunching over as before, Carolyn now seemed more relaxed.

"Then I'm glad I can offer a refuge of sorts." Annelie flipped her ponytail back over her shoulder. "Take your time looking around. I'll be in my study working if there's anything you need."

To Annelie's surprise, Carolyn raised her hand and quickly brushed two fingers along her benefactor's cheek. "You're truly a kind person."

Trying to swallow past the sudden lump in her throat and feeling her skin tingle, Annelie only nodded. She gave Carolyn a quick smile and then disappeared down the stairs.

***

After watching Annelie leave, Carolyn slowly turned around, taking in her surroundings. The living room was tastefully decorated in the same earthy tones as the main house—browns, blues, and yellows. The leather couches faced a large window, to the left of which stood an open fireplace.

The bedroom, decorated in different shades of white, featured a queen-size bed and a fully stocked linen cabinet. As she glanced out the window, Carolyn saw her bag still sitting by the pool. Feeling energized, she walked through the apartment and down the stairs to retrieve it.

She had brought a change of clothes and would only need to pick up a few things from the condo for her brief stay. Returning to the apartment with the bag, she walked into the bathroom. As she checked her reflection in the mirror, Carolyn saw her hair fall in tousled waves around her shoulders.

In the drawers next to the sink, she found a hairdryer, which she plugged in and used with her hairbrush to form her trademark shiny, straight hair. Her makeup kit held everything she needed to emphasize her eyes, and Carolyn expertly hid the dark circles beneath them.

She hung up the bathrobe and wandered into the kitchenette. Though the cabinets held most items needed in a kitchen, she would need to stop at the grocery store before stopping at Jared's. She thought of buying something she would be able to share with Annelie. Carolyn didn't cook, but she knew where to get excellent takeout.

She grabbed the car keys and left the apartment, making sure the

door was locked before she left. When she reached the bottom of the stairs, she met Annelie.

"You look much better. My magic omelet, no doubt."

"No doubt. I'm off to do some shopping and pick up my things."

"Good. Can I help you with anything?"

Resisting the urge to say yes, Carolyn shook her head. "No, thank you, Annelie. It's really nice of you to have me over. I appreciate it. So let me buy us some takeout tonight, as a sign of my appreciation."

Annelie seemed to mull her offer over for a moment and then smiled broadly, transforming her features completely. Carolyn was suddenly aware how seldom Annelie smiled like this. "I'd love that."

"What kind of food would you like?"

"I get to pick?" The younger woman pursed her lips, drawing Carolyn's attention to their fullness. "I don't mean to sound predictable, but what about Chinese?"

Carolyn laughed. "I don't think anyone can accuse you of being predictable. I love Asian food, so Chinese it is. I should be back around seven or eight. See you then?"

"I'll be here."

***

To Carolyn's surprise and dismay, Jared had not yet left for the airport to pick up his family and now questioned her motives for accepting Annelie's offer.

"Why would you want to stay there when you have access to everything right here?" he demanded. "Or are there additional perks to staying at her place?"

Carolyn stared at him, not sure what he was referring to.

"Don't give me that well-rehearsed look of innocence. I'm not buying it," Jared growled. "You're up to something, no doubt something that'll get you ahead in the game."

Refusing to take the bait, she fought to remain calm. "What on earth are you talking about?"

"I'm talking about you staying at Annelie Peterson's home! I don't know how you did it, but you must have pulled some pretty amazing stunts to get under the skin of someone like her."

Carolyn's temper flared. "What's wrong with you? What the hell are you implying?"

"You're up to your usual tricks and schemes. Annelie obviously thinks you need rescuing. What's the next step? Climbing into her bed?"

Feeling herself go pale, Carolyn stepped back, staring at Jared. "You bastard," she managed, her mind whirling back to last Friday and the near kiss in Annelie's kitchen. She thought of Jared's urge to tell her about Annelie's lesbianism. Inhaling deeply, she saw what she hadn't seen before.

"You're jealous! That's what this is all about. For years you've been my only friend, apart from Beth and Joe. And I just don't get it! I thought you'd be pleased not to have to sit through your mother's and sister's endless arguments about my place in your life. Annelie is someone who might become a friend one day. How can you ask me to back away from that? This isn't like you, Jared." Hurt constricted Carolyn's throat, making her cough.

"But it is so like you! You've never hesitated to use whatever means to suit your needs. Me included."

"True. I go after what I want. I never hide who I am. But I can tell you this, once and for all. I don't intend to sleep with Annelie, nor is that why she made this offer."

She pulled away from me and made it pretty clear why. Taken aback by the sudden thought, Carolyn frowned at the unexpected twitch in her chest.

Jared paced back and forth, staring at the large roller suitcase at her feet. "So you're not even going to stay and say hello to my parents? They love you."

"Your father likes me. Your mother barely tolerates me because she's afraid I may turn our friendship into something else—even outright seduce you. Your sister is an avid fan who'd like nothing better than to brag to her friends about being closely related to a celebrity." Flinging her hands in the air, Carolyn took a deep breath, trying to calm down. "I don't want us to part this way. We're supposed to be friends—and you're not being my friend right now."

Stopping in front of her, Jared looked tired and suddenly shamefaced. "I know. Listen, I'm sorry. I just want you to be clear over your own motives."

"Are you clear about yours?"

"Point taken."

Her pulse as well as her breathing calming, Carolyn held out her hand. "Jared, please, this isn't about not needing you as my friend. This is about finding some peace of mind, being able to call Beth and not be interrupted, and planning what to do next from a professional standpoint. I still haven't given up hope of playing Maddox. I guess I won't throw in the towel until they actually sign someone else." Clenching her hands, she forced back tears. "To tell the truth, I don't have anything lined up right now except a Volvo commercial, and…I'm terrified." She offered a halfhearted smile.

"Don't be. You're too talented and sought after to go without work. In the meantime, no doubt, you'll be performing your favorite character—yourself." Only the fact that he winked at her and wriggled his eyebrows removed some of the sting in his words.

"Bastard," she accused softly.

"Bitch," he retaliated, pulling her into his arms.

"Friends?" Carolyn's voice broke, and she buried her face against his shoulder.

"Friends."

They remained still for a moment, and then she disentangled herself to grab the handle of her rolling bag. "Say hi to everyone for me?"

"Of course." Jared smiled. "Drive carefully."

Swiftly kissing his cheek before stepping out into the corridor, Carolyn nodded. "Don't I always?"

At the elevator, Carolyn glanced back toward Jared's door. He had already gone back inside.

***

Carolyn put down the novel after finishing the last chapter, her mind reeling from the twists and turns the author had taken her on. Delia Carlton's tale was a spellbinder, her characters' interactions full of deep emotions. She had read the book quickly, but she found herself wishing it would never end. Though Carolyn had not read the second and third Maddox books before doing the audio versions, it seemed like a good idea to familiarize herself with all of the stories since she was now planning to invite herself to the convention.

The last few days in Annelie's small garage apartment had been peaceful. Carolyn, emotionally exhausted, had slept the entire afternoon once she returned from Jared's condo and had been catching up on rest ever since. She would be sorry to leave.

Stretching, she decided it was time for her swim. She changed into her swimsuit, pondering if she should go out for a late lunch after her exercise—perhaps a quick trip to the nearby coffee shop. Tossing a short bathrobe over her shoulders, she strolled through the garden to the swimming pool, dropped the robe on a deck chair, and dived into the deep end.

Enjoying the cool, satiny feeling against her body, she swam one lap after another until the tension in the back of her neck and shoulders had disappeared. Then she turned over on her back and floated as she caught her breath. The sun was hot and unforgiving, and she realized she needed to be careful to not burn herself.

"That looks relaxing," a familiar voice said, startling Carolyn and making her cough as she sank half-below the surface.

"Annelie!" she gasped. "God, woman, you surprised me. I didn't know you were home. Where's the Mustang?"

"The staff down at the clubhouse picked it up. They clean it inside and out every two weeks." Annelie was wearing dark blue shorts and a white tank top, with her hair in the usual low ponytail. She extended a hand as Carolyn swam toward the ladder. "You're getting a little pink around the shoulders. Better watch out."

"I know. I burn easily even if I've managed to get a little tan. I need to be more careful. The swim just felt so good." Carolyn walked over to the deck chair and pulled her bathrobe on, tying the belt around her waist. "I'm getting hungry. Join me for a late lunch? Maybe do takeout, like last time?"

Annelie cocked her head. "Hm, we've done Chinese so why not— oh, you know something? I'd love a family-size pizza with everything on it, and perhaps chicken wings on the side!"

Unable to resist the eager look in the other woman's eyes, Carolyn laughed and nodded. "Why not? I haven't had pizza in a long time. I'll just go take a quick shower. We could have it out here."

"I'll call the Pizza Parlor," Annelie offered. "They have the most divine supersize pizzas. Hurry back, because they're quick."

Carolyn promised and walked back toward the garage. At the corner of the house, she turned around with a grin and wrinkled her nose. "Just hold the anchovies, okay?"

Chapter Six

The hotel was buzzing with activity. Marble floors, white and golden walls, and blue furniture gave a luxurious impression. Located not far from Disney World, it was full of Maddox fans of all ages and from all walks of life instead of the usual families and senior citizens this weekend.

Jem walked in front of the group of Key Line women who had just stepped out of the airport shuttle. Several bellboys handled their luggage.

"I'm glad Gregory decided to come a day early," Jem said, turning to face Annelie. "This is a madhouse! Do you see him anywhere?"

Annelie rose on her toes, trying to find Gregory's tall, lanky form in the crowd of people. Relieved to see him standing by the desk, she waved him over. "Greg, great to see you. What's going on here? I thought if we came a day early we could avoid all this."

Gregory ushered them to the side of the check-in counter. Pulling Annelie aside, he lowered his voice. "I've taken care of most of the details. However, we have a bit of a problem."

"Shoot."

"We had to do some rearranging. The hotel doesn't have any vacancies, as you know, and we wanted to keep all the stars and your personal guests on the same floor."

"So, give me the bottom line."

"Carolyn Black arrived here last night."

"Carolyn?" Annelie felt blood receding from her cheeks. The actress had already left yesterday when Annelie came home from work. She had assumed Carolyn was back at Jared's place.

"It gets worse. They put her in the Presidential Suite."

"What are you talking about? We reserved that months ago."

"They seem to be under the impression that she's your personal guest."

Annelie stifled a gasp. The nerve of the woman was monumental. Was this her way of paying Annelie back for not giving her the reading last week? Very nice, after I made her welcome in my home! "Well, tell them she's not."

Gregory lifted an eyebrow. "See all these people? They know she's here. And not just that, they think she's your last-minute celebrity speaker. Do you really want to have her thrown out of your room in front of a legion of fans?"

Annelie muttered a rare expletive. Carolyn had backed them into a corner with expert ease. "What do you mean they think she's a speaker?"

Gregory opened a copy of the Orlando Sentinel he had tucked under one arm. On the front page of the entertainment section was a photo of Carolyn looking like a goddess. The article next to it was headlined Carolyn Black to Speak at Maddox Convention.

Annelie couldn't believe her eyes. "When did you know about this?"

Gregory looked embarrassed. "There was a lot of chatter on the message boards, but I didn't think anything of it. You know how the rumors have been."

"Yes, rumors circulated by Grey Parker," Annelie hissed. "This must have been his idea. A huge publicity stunt."

"It's working." Gregory swept a glance around the lobby. "And now that the story has hit the papers, it'll be everywhere by registration time. This explains the last-minute surge in ticket sales."

"We'll have to give her the stage," Annelie concluded. Unbelievable.

"And you won't have a room unless you want to share with one of the staff," Gregory pointed out. "But most of theirs are full."

Annelie's mind ran riot. "I'm going to kill Grey Parker."

"That won't get you comfortable accommodations." In a tentative tone, he said, "The Presidential Suite has four bedrooms."

"You want me to ask Carolyn Black if I can camp in the suite she stole from me? You must be joking."

"You can take my room," he offered. "I can get something at a Motel 6 down the road."

Annelie took a deep, steadying breath. "That won't be necessary. I'll sort this out with her."

She willed herself to calm down and think rationally. Perhaps she could turn this disaster to her advantage. No one could deny the presence of Carolyn Black would attract media. It would generate a lot of extra exposure for Diana Maddox, even if it did mean Carolyn's name was associated more emphatically with the character.

"There's one more thing," Gregory said, looking like a man eating his last meal before execution.

"Yes." Annelie eyed him with unease. Could this get any worse?