Johnny's Girl by Paige Toon Read Free Book Online

Phoenix is about to turn one.’
    ‘You’ve just moved back to LA, yeah?’
    ‘Yes. Johnny needed to be here for work.’ I shrug, finally pulling myself together. ‘Am I right in thinking that you’re with someone now?’ I ask him.
    ‘Yeah.’ His eyes light up. ‘Alice. My girl.’
    ‘Have you been together long?’
    ‘I knew her years ago, well before…’ He looks around him. ‘You know.’ Well before he was famous, I’m assuming he means. ‘We’re
engaged.’
    ‘Oh, that is so lovely, congratulations!’ I say in a high-pitched voice.
    ‘Is that Dana Reed over there?’ Joseph suddenly asks.
    My lips turn down, but I don’t follow the line of his sight. ‘Afraid so.’
    ‘Last time I saw her she was lit up like a Christmas tree.’ He grins. ‘Do you remember?’
    I can’t help but laugh. It was at the Halloween party and she went dressed as an angel. ‘How could I forget. And you were rocking your Karate Kid look.’ That was the night we
slept together. Argh! I don’t want to think about that now! I take a small step backwards to include Kitty and Dex in our conversation. I haven’t even said hello to Dex, yet. I rectify
that now.
    ‘I’m Meg, by the way.’ I smile at him.
    ‘Sorry, I should have made the introductions,’ Joe apologises. ‘Dex works at the studio.’ I know this of course.
    ‘Nice to meet you,’ I say, shaking his hand.
    ‘Great to meet you, too. Kitty’s always talking about you.’
    ‘Likewise,’ I reply with a raised eyebrow.
    ‘I might grab another champagne,’ Kitty says smoothly. ‘You want one, Meg?’ She gives me a pointed look, warning me not to give away anything about her feelings for the
office hottie.
    ‘Okay.’
    ‘You boys want anything?’
    ‘Sure,’ Dex says, affectionately touching her wrist. I can sense their chemistry from here.
    ‘Nah, I’m good,’ Joseph replies. ‘I’m going to shoot off in a bit.’
    I’m disappointed to hear this. Talking to him again has reminded me how much I liked him in the first place – and he doesn’t seem to have changed much. It would be nice if we
could be friends, but that will never happen if Johnny has anything to do with it. I don’t imagine Alice would be too thrilled by the idea, either. ‘Well, if I don’t see you
again…’ I say regretfully.
    ‘We’ll bump into each other,’ he brushes me off, his dark eyes full of warmth. ‘LA is a small town.’
    ‘It’s good to see you, anyway,’ I say sincerely. ‘And I’m so happy to see you doing so well.’ I feel compelled to tell him this, just in case I don’t
get another chance. ‘I always knew that you would.’
    ‘It’s good to see you too, Mystic Meg,’ he jokes. Then he touches my arm affectionately and I turn away before he can see me blushing.
    I love and fancy Johnny like mad, but Joseph Strike will always have something about him. Alice is a lucky girl, whoever she is.
    Just as I think that thought, I see Johnny staring straight at me from across the terrace. And he does not look happy.
    ‘Johnny’s here,’ I say as an aside to Kitty.
    ‘I’ll get the drinks. See you in a bit,’ she replies.
    He’s not smiling as we make our way through the crowd towards each other. I cover more ground, because he keeps getting stopped by people wanting to say hi. He greets them distractedly
then continues on his way, his green eyes locked with mine.
    I’m on edge. Is he properly angry with me for that Joseph comment? I should have called him back, but now it’s too late.
    ‘Hey,’ I say as he reaches me.
    ‘Hi.’
    He bends down and presses his lips to mine, sliding his right hand into the hair at the nape of my neck and holding me to him. I pull away with confusion.
    ‘Did you get my message?’
    ‘Just now,’ he breathes, his brow momentarily furrowing. ‘I was already on my way when you called.’ His eyes flicker past me and around the room. ‘Where is
he?’ he asks drily in my ear.
    ‘I think he’s