Page 3 of The Devil of Hollywood

“No? To dinner?”

Marian’s head lowered, but I didn’t miss the flicker of anger in her eyes as she kept quiet.

“To anything, Mr. Pennington.”

“Ever? I know Marian is… younger. I don’t mind waiting however long you wish.”

“No.”

“We can’t even be friends?”

Dr. LaRoe’s shoulders straightened, and her cold smile never wavered.

“Nothing personal, Mr. Pennington, but your priority needs to be focused on your future companies, not my daughter. I read people for a living. I know them better than they know themselves. From what I know of you, the two of you are not compatible.” My mouth opened, but her hand shot up, cutting me off. “Not as friends or anything else. Trust me. I know what I’m talking about. My daughter is not the one for you, Drayton.” She glanced over. “Come, Marian. It’s time to go.”

Perfect teeth bit into her full lip as Marian hesitated to follow her mother’s fast steps. Just as she went to turn, I couldn’t help but reach out to brush my fingers over the sleeve of her sweater.

“What do you want, Marian? Do you want to get to know each other? Maybe start off by being friends?”

Melissa turned, her eyes narrowing, but all I saw was Marian as she quickly stepped closer, lowering her voice to where it was barely audible.

“This is a battle neither of us will win. Trust me. You have no idea what you’re doing.”

“I know exactly what I’m doing. Breakfast. Eight sharp. Kick’s Café. Be there, Marian. Meet me.”

Marian

11 years later…

“Socks?”

I dug through my suitcase. “Got them.”

“Toothbrush? Toothpaste?”

I pointed. “Right here.”

“Panties?”

“Yep.”

“Vibrator?”

I went to point, snapping my attention to my best friend, Penelope, as she burst out laughing.

“What? You’re going to be gone for two weeks. That’s a long time. You really don’t want to forget your toys. Then again, we’re talking about Miami. That place is going to be crawling with hot guys. Hot. Tanned. Muscular⁠—”

“Okay, it’s time for you to go back to your own room.”

My teasing tone had her laughing, only for the smile to fall.

“I’m really going to miss you. Are you sure you have to go?”

“I leave all the time. I’m always bouncing around for work.”

Her bottom lip pouted. “Never for two weeks, and never so far away. This time feels different. I don’t like it. Take vacation and stay here with me. You pretty much run your family’s companies. You’re the boss. Stay.”

“And miss the convention? Penny…”