A Captivating Conundrum by Amy Lignor Read Free Book Online

at all.  It's refreshing."
    "Refreshing?"
    He shrugged. "You have no predeterminations about me. You're meeting just me and not my character, it's kind of nice. Now when you decide you dislike me, I can only blame it on my own personality."
    "Why would I dislike you?" I was suddenly confused.
    He grinned. "I don't go to church."
    "Huh?" I glanced at Nicole who was also looking more than a bit befuddled.
    "Well, if God lets a stunner like you find me attractive, that would be a real gift…that I've done nothing to deserve." He kept eye contact, but I saw the pronounced Adam's apple move as he swallowed hard and closed his eyes, as if suddenly dying of embarrassment.
    I looked away from the gaze that was now hazel in the gleaming rays of sunshine, and searched for that sarcastic woman I knew, loved and felt comfortable with who lived in my soul.
    Reaching over, I slugged him on the shoulder. "You should see me when you're all liquored up. From a distance, with one eye shut—I'm telling you that whiskey can make me look just like Monroe."
    His laugh came from the bottom of his soul. "She's got nothing on you. Besides, I don't like blondes."
    Nicole cleared her throat. Good, she needed to step in because my brain was already spinning, trying to find the intelligence I knew I'd built up over the years.
    "Mr. McKenna," she began
    He moved his gaze slowly from mine and raised an eyebrow at her. "Matt."
    "Okay, Matt." Nicole sat up straighter in her chair, commanding him to keep his eyes on her. It was good, I needed an intermission.
    "We have a proposition for you that will be beneficial to your career."
    Matt sat back in his chair, keeping a soft smile on his face. "And what's that?"
    Clearing her throat, Nicole pasted the mask of a solid businesswoman on her face. "The writers were in the theatre today because they actually had a deal with the charity organizers that they could choose the celebrities for their pieces themselves. They have final say when it comes to that."
    He nodded.
    "Of course, Jason Marnelli absolutely loves you. In fact, he was the one who asked for you and your friend, Chris because of the work you've done together in the past and how truly outstanding you are when it comes to dancing and singing."
    "Thank you," he said. "We try."
    I took a deep breath, knowing what was coming next and praying that he would see things my way.
    "Anyway," Nicole said. "The finale… Father ? Did you watch that one performed?"
    He glanced at me, the flecks of green and brown danced in his eyes. "Yes."
    "The writer didn't like 'America's Sweetheart' for the role."
    "He's quite famous," Matt said, his eyes growing a bit confused.
    "So are you," I interjected.
    A corner of his lips rose once more. "Thank you."
    When my need took over his looks simply disappeared and the sex appeal was gone. What I needed more than anything was his agreement. "Mr. McKenna—"
    "Matt."
    I cleared my throat. " Father needs a very specific talent which the writer believes you have in spades."
    He thought for a moment. "That's really humbling, considering how intense the work is. And I know that Ms. Stone is a name that's most likely pulling in a lot of money for the charity. I wouldn't want her to get less than she deserved."
    "It's not about her, it's about those children," I responded quickly. "And you are the one who can deliver the message to the audience that she wants delivered."
    His eyebrows furrowed. "Is Ms. Stone here?"
    The question was simple enough, but as I looked into those eyes that held not a hint of humor or doubt whatsoever, I knew Matt already knew the answer.
    I nodded.
    Immediately he reached across the table. "It really is amazing to meet you, Ms. Stone." 
    I shook the hand and smiled. "You, too. And…it's Lily." I laughed.
    The waitress reappeared and I gasped when I looked up. The poor girl looked like a flummoxed UPS driver who'd been inundated with monster packages. The coffee pot was resting at a precarious tilt, and the