First Stop, New York by Jordan Cooke Read Free Book Online Page A

rock.”
    “I’d rather not talk about my family.”
    “The mysteries continue!”
    “Don’t mean to be mysterious, JB. It’s very simple—but keep it just between you and me—I auditioned for
The ’Bu
so I could secretly watch Max Marx. Everything he touches turns to gold.
The ’Bu
should be a huge success. I’m going to pose as a vaguely distracted actor while I actually take copious notes and
learn.
”
    “Well,” said JB, trying to make sense of Rocco’s reasons, “the world is just full of crazy logic, ain’t it? But if
The ’Bu
is going to be a hit, I’m ordering another glass of milk so we can celebrate!”
    “To
The ’Bu,
” toasted Rocco. “A show that might just give us both the means to pursue our dreams. For me, that’s directing.”
    JB raised his glass of milk and toasted. “For me, that’s celebrity orgies.”
    “JB, you are certifiably nuts.”
    JB wiggled his eyebrows and drank down the last of his milk in one gulp.
    Sunset Tower Hotel, the Pool—7:18 P.M.
    Anushka blinked, but it was all darkness. Her eyes were open—wide open, in fact—and yet she could see
nothing.
“Ahh!!!” she screamed, terrified that it was the end. That she’d finally screwed up big-time this time and there was no returning.
    “Ms. Peters?” inquired a voice with an indistinguishable European accent.
    “Yeah,” replied Anushka fearfully.
    “Once again, you’ve fallen asleep with a towel wrapped around your head.”
    The man with the accent unwrapped Anushka’s pretty little head. She blinked, focused, and looked around the poolside area of Sunset Tower, the posh Hollywood high-rise hotel.
    “Phew…I’m still here. Hey, Lorenzo—you saved my life again.”
    Lorenzo was an impeccably tailored concierge with slicked-back hair. He had a sneaky voice and a sneaky way of doing things. “It is my duty, as well as my pleasure, Ms. Peters, to save your life as often as possible.”
    As Lorenzo slithered off, Anushka called after him. “I don’t suppose you can come back with one of your killer martinis? Please-oh-please?”
    Lorenzo turned only to wag his finger and smile.
    “Luv ya, weirdo!” she called.
    Anushka shook off her sleep and gave herself the once-over. She was sporting the Cameo bikini she’d picked up at Fred Segal, where she’d also received a flawless bikini wax—on the house. She’d also recently had herself tanned at Le Soleil and mani-pedied at Burke Williams. She clenched her abs and smiled appreciatively as they rippled back at her.
    What a shame the sun was setting and it was getting a little too chilly to stay out and appreciate her body any longer. She arched her back to give the few remaining people around the pool a chance to take in her perfection. She knew all eyeswere on her—they always were. People around the pool smiled in approval. Anushka smiled back.
    I’m, like, the queen here,
she thought as she spied Lorenzo coming toward her with a drink on a tray.
    “This is the best I could do, young lady. It’s not a martini, but it should give you a little lift. Please don’t report me to the authorities.”
    Anushka salivated over the delectable-looking drink, then glanced at her watch and frowned. “You know what, Lorenz? I probably shouldn’t. I’ve got to look over this big rewrite tonight. Which suuuuucks so bad! Hey—did anything come through yet? It should have been delivered by now.”
    “Nothing from the studio.”
    “Huh. That’s weird.”
    “Only the usual hundred or so nightly invitations to one fabulous party after another. So I guess I should take this delightful beverage away?”
    “Yeah—Anushka is trying to turn over a new leaf. Don’t want to get my butt canned like I did on my last show.”
    “Oh, I just loved
Suburban Magic
! All those teenage girls causing all that trouble in the suburbs!”
    “You sure nothing came for me? I hope they give me something juicy to do. Not the usual evil teenage vixen stuff. It’s sooo