A Captivating Conundrum by Amy Lignor Read Free Book Online Page B

got it!"
    I shook my head, trying to stop the fantasies from taking over my mind. "No. Warm and lovely."
    "Trust me," she swallowed. "I'm more of a librarian who tells you what to do and is a real snotface about things."
    "You kill them with your brains, huh?"
    A strange light began to burn inside the sultry eyes, as if I was sending out a challenge. "I'm a Scorpio, son. I can tear you apart."
    I wanted the challenge. "Really? Okay… What's the Italian word for family?"
    "Famiglia," she responded quickly. The perfect accent shot a bolt of lightning through my soul. Why? Because I could only imagine the sexy Italian dinners we could create together in my kitchen one day.
    I cleared my throat. "Okay, that was easy. How about…best movie Oscar for…1965?" I picked one out of thin air, wondering if this woman who had no time for T.V. or cinema knew this—especially from a year far before her time. 
    I sat back. I could almost see that librarian appear, as the chocolate brown eyes grew darker and an imaginary card catalogue flipped open inside her head. " The Sound of Music ,but most people still think Doctor Zhivago should have taken it."
    I suddenly had to stump her. I don't know why. Maybe it was because I was a Scorpio, too, and it was beyond a challenge now. I leaned forward. When all else fails, go for sports. "Who won the World Cup in 1982?" 
    With a slight rolling of the eyes, that beautiful voice responded fast, "Italy. It was their first title in forty-eight years."
    Crossing her long legs, she leaned back in her chair with her cup of coffee wearing a satisfied smile. I swear, either a fish or a chip got stuck so deep in my throat when I saw that glimpse of perfect leg from underneath the black leather skirt that my windpipe closed. I expected to die right there.
    She looked out the window, quietly passing the baton back to Nicole. "So Matt, will you do Beth's role?"
    I shook the fantasy from my mind, but continued to stare at Beth. "If you believe I can do it I'd love to try."
    She turned back to me fast and reached out to take my hand. "I know you can do it. This is so important to Amber, and you have that emotion that can lock on to an audience. You have such skill in your face, your eyes…you are going to bring the house down with applause, and you WILL convince someone in that audience that they have to be Amber's dad."
    All I could do was shake my head; I was literally enthralled, as she jumped out of her chair. I tried to stand, but she placed her hand on my shoulder and gave me a truly beautiful smile. "You will keep me a secret, though, right? The whole Lily Stone thing?"
    "I won't say a word. I definitely don't want to share you with anybody." I'd never meant words more in my life.
    "Cool! You're the absolute best, Matt McKenna!" 
    I wanted to reach out. I wanted to stop her, but like a lavender breeze from the gardens outside she got past me and headed to where Bobby was waiting. I could hear her small shout of glee and I felt such pride knowing that I'd been the one to make her day. 
    At the last moment, she elegantly turned and walked back toward us. That gasp once again stuck in my lungs as she smiled at me and leaned on the table to stare at Nicole. "By the way, I have a minute left on my hour. You owe me a hundred bucks."
    "I really do hate you," Nicole sneered.
    With that, the stunning body leaned over and kissed her friend on the cheek.  
    I was beyond thrilled. I had made Beth Carrier happy, and all I could hope as she walked out the doors laughing with Bobby, was that it wasn't the last time I was able to do so.
    I finally realized that the vision was gone and turned back to the agent's slightly frowning face.
    "What was that bet about?" I asked.
    She sighed. "I bet her there was no way she could get you to do this because you most likely wanted to sing and dance more than act."
    "Actually, I like them all. But I love to act. I just hope I'm good enough for her."
    Nicole rolled her eyes.