Laguna Nights by Kaira Rouda Read Free Book Online Page A

light-headed. Truth be told, she had taken extra time getting ready this morning, wearing her favorite black pencil skirt, a crisp white blouse and a bold gold necklace. Her blonde hair was pulled back into a low ponytail, and her favorite diamond studs glistened in her earlobes. She felt pretty, pulled together. And, as usual, Josh looked hot.
    “You cleaned up nicely yourself,” she said, feeling her cheeks flush as he flashed her the dimpled smile. “Now if you could lose the sunglasses, you could be almost perfect.”
    “It’s part of my mysterious persona. The formerly famous actor and his Ray Bans. Gotta keep them on. Come on inside with me and I’ll take them off,” he said motioning toward the tent.
    “Oh, thanks but I’m working,” Madison said, though they both knew the set up was finished, her job done.
    “Come on, I want you to meet the guys. I actually like one of the producers and well, you know my manager, Marty,” Josh said, nodding toward Mr. Flexible. “Besides, we’re better together.”
    “Better at what,” Madison said, feeling the electricity pulsing between them.
    “Everything,” Josh said, his voice low.
    She swallowed. “I can only stay for a minute,” she said and led him inside, entering the tent first so he wouldn’t see her flushed cheeks. They used to be better together, the perfect complement, yin and yang. That was true, she thought .
    “Roger, come here,” Josh said, pulling on the arm of a rather short, rather stout bald-headed man wearing funky orange-framed glasses and a dark black suit, no tie, who was standing next to Mr. Flexible. “Meet Madison. Roger is the one who is going to resurrect my career. All of this was his idea.”
    “I can’t take full credit, but I do believe in the kid,” Roger said. Madison liked him instantly and realized, from the two men’s tones and interactions, that they were close. She wondered if Josh had found the father figure he’d needed for so long. “You, my dear, are gorgeous. Have you been in anything?”
    “No,” Madison said quickly.
    At the same time, Josh said, “Yes. We were in Laguna Nights together. She went by Holly, her middle name, back then.”
    Roger pulled his glasses to the tip of his nose and stared at Madison. “Of course you are. Lovely. You’ve grown up well, my dear. In fact, we’re going to host a reunion of sorts, on the new show, and you must appear,” Roger said. His enthusiasm and compliments seemed sincere, even as Madison took a step back.
    “My days on TV are over, Roger, but thank you,” she said. Just then, she noticed Mr. Flexible, otherwise known as Marty, staring at her across the room. Probably wondering why she was acting like a guest instead of an employee, she realized. “I need to go check on things for your upcoming dinner. Please excuse me.”
    Madison smiled and hurried out of the tent, avoiding Josh’s sad eyes. She needed to protect herself from these people, she knew. Especially Josh. She’d grown up, gotten smart. She was successful and her life was on track. The last thing she needed was her first love, her true love, messing it all up. And she was very aware that Hollywood could mess people up better than almost anything, anyplace, any business in the world.
    She pulled out her cell phone and called Dolby, getting his voice mail. She knew he probably was surfing, working at the surf shop or hanging out with his surfing friends. He was a great guy, with an uncomplicated life. The most low-key man she’d ever dated. He was good for Madison, trying to teach her by his example about going with the flow, like the tides. It hadn’t rubbed off, and most likely wouldn’t, but she appreciated his efforts and his easy smile. She realized he probably wasn’t even mad about the Laguna Nights episode any more, if he ever was.
    He was so laid back he probably didn’t even notice they hadn’t talked since Josh came into town. He was so laid back he probably had plans with a