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“It’s been seven years since I’ve done more than a guest spot here and there. What if I’m terrible?”
“Not possible.”
She covered Bobby’s hand and gave it an affectionate squeeze. “No one was beating down my door five years ago,” she reminded him. “There had to be a good reason for that.”
“You were turning down the parts offered.”
“Because I wanted to do something that called for me to do more than look pretty and act sexy.”
“Here’s your chance.”
“No wonder you’re the most successful producer in Hollywood.”
“I know what I want.”
“And you don’t stop until you get it.”
“Then you’ll come do the test?”
If Logan had asked her to stay, would she be at all tempted by Bobby’s faith in her? Scarlett sighed. She’d never let a man sway her decision about anything. Why was she doing so now?
“Let me talk it over with my sisters. I’ll let you know before you leave tomorrow.”
Bobby’s smile broadened with triumph. “Perfect.”
Maybe Logan had been right about the message she was sending the producer. She’d gone from a definite no to agreeing to consider a screen test.
“If you’ll excuse me,” Scarlett said, getting to her feet, “I have some party arrangements to check on. Sandy secured you an eight-thirty reservation at Le Taillevent this evening. Dinner’s on me.”
“As always you’re the perfect host.” Bobby rose to his feet and leaned forward to kiss her cheek. “Chase and I are leaving at one tomorrow. Can you join us for lunch before we go?”
“Why don’t I come to your suite at eleven-thirty.”
“I’ll see you then.”
* * *
After getting Madison and her friends settled into the hotel suite with pizza and a warning to keep the music at a reasonable volume, Scarlett organized a quick dinner with her sisters in her suite at Fontaine Richesse. As the three sat down to salads topped with salmon and glasses of white wine, Scarlett quickly broached what was on her mind.
“I’ve had an offer to do a television series,” she said, sipping her wine.
As usual, Harper was the first to react. “I thought you were done with acting.”
“I was.” Scarlett heard the uncertainty in her tone and qualified her response. “I mean, I thought I was.”
“Is it an interesting part?” Violet quizzed.
“The best I’ve ever been offered.”
“A lead?” Harper was the sort who set her eyes on the top prize and wouldn’t consider anything less worth her time.
“No. It’s a small supporting role, but the character is complex and interesting.” Scarlett looked at each of her sisters. “Five years ago, even two years ago, I wouldn’t have hesitated to race back to L.A. and take the part.”
“But now?” Violet prompted. “Something’s changed?”
“I really feel as if I’ve hit my stride with the hotel. Then there are you guys. I love being your sister and don’t want to live so far away from you.”
“That’s awfully sweet of you to say.” Harper’s lips curved in a dry smile. “But are you forgetting that we’re your chief competition in our grandfather’s contest?”
Scarlett laughed at Harper’s question, despite her lingering uneasiness over her decision to conceal what she knew about her sister’s true parentage. “You don’t seriously think I have a shot at running Fontaine Hotels and Resorts, because I’m convinced I don’t.”
“You don’t know that,” Violet insisted, always the peacemaker. “Fontaine Richesse has done really well under your management. Grandfather could choose you.”
“I don’t have the experience or the education required to run the company.” Scarlett pointed her fork first at Harper, then at Violet. “You two are the only ones in the running. I’m just happy to have been given the chance to be considered.”
“Have you told Logan that you’re thinking about heading back to L.A.?” Violet asked.
“Logan?” Harper interjected before Scarlett could answer. “Why would she tell him?”
“Because they’ve been seeing each other,” Violet said, her tone exasperated. “Don’t you notice anything that happens outside your hotel?”
“Not in the past three weeks.” She turned to Scarlett. “How serious is it?”
Scarlett lifted her hand to bat away the question, but the concern laced with curiosity in her sisters’ eyes was a powerful thing. “It could be anything from casual to involved. I can’t really tell. He’s pretty cagey about his emotions.”
