Dying to Have Her by Heather Graham Read Free Book Online Page B

already under way.
    Despite her best intentions, she had run late. She had called a taxi, knowing there would be a shortage of parking. During the drive from her hilly, forested neighborhood in the residential area of Glenwood, she watched the landscape changes in the town she loved so much, coming from winding, quiet heights down to the commercial bustle along Van Ness.
    St. Brendan’s was already crowded when she arrived, with police holding back the throngs who couldn’t fit into the church. She was stopped herself, and though she didn’t think that the young officer who halted her mad dash down the street had ever watched a soap opera in his life, he studied her and at last seemed to believe she was who she said she was, an actress in the daytime serial Valentine Valley, a coworker and friend of the deceased.
    Friend. She had said the word friend.
    She wasn’t too certain about the last herself. She’d thought about Jane a lot in the few days between her death and the funeral. She had known her better than some of the staff, but she still hadn’t known her very well. Jane had only come on the set as a new character when Jennifer’s baby had been born. She had been pleasant enough during her appearances for discussions with the producers—pleasant enough to Serena. On the set, though, she’d been very demanding, a prima donna. Andy complained that they were looking at an “attitude problem” right from the get-go.
    St. Brendan’s looked spectacular. Jane’s ornate coffin was down by the altar. The priest was already conducting the service. The smell of the candles and flowers mingled with that of expensive perfumes. Serena stood still for several seconds, trying to get her bearings. Her long view gave way to the backs of men’s well-groomed heads, some long, loose female hair, and a variety of hats in all colors, shapes, and sizes.
    She sneezed.
    “Serena!”
    Her name was hissed softly as an arm reached for her.
    Jennifer Connolly—no, she kept forgetting. Her friend had married and taken her husband’s name—Jennifer Markham. She had slipped from the Valentine Valley pew to grab Serena up like a lost puppy and pull her into the fold. Gratefully, she followed, whispering an “Excuse me!” each time they stepped past someone to reach the middle where Jennifer had been sitting.
    She knew that people had turned to watch her arrive. Who was she? How important? What was she wearing?
    There were press people everywhere.
    Lord, but Jane would have loved this, she thought.
    Jennifer sat to her left, with her husband, Conar, at her side. He nodded to Serena, a small, welcoming grin before he turned back to the priest and his handsome face sobered in reflection of the occasion.
    Turning slightly, Serena saw that the row behind her was filled with crew members from Valentine Valley. Lighting, makeup, set design. Allona was with the crew; she arched a brow with a shrug, indicating that it had been suggested that she come. Jinx sat next to Allona. Thorne McKay, from makeup, was next to Jinx. She gave them all a weak smile.
    When she turned to face the front again, Serena realized that she had squeezed past Joe Penny and Andy Larkin. Though Joe was the main producer on the show, Andy held tides as both producer and actor. Andy was also her ex-husband. On the show—and in real life.
    Watching him, she realized that she did still feel a fondness for Andy—she always would. He was tall and good-looking and usually very pleasant. She had once thought that he really loved her, that he couldn’t bear to stop looking at her anytime they were out, especially at the beach. She had been so flattered, so certain that he really cared for her, that he had eyes for no one else but her.
    Then she had realized one day that he was studying his own image in the reflection of her sunglasses, and bit by bit, she had begun to realize that the man on the surface was the only man there was. He was still her friend. She loved him like