Lucky Charm by Marie Astor Read Free Book Online Page A

she would never know.
    In a sudden surge of anger, Annabel jumped to her feet and flung open the closet door. One by one, she ripped Jeremy’s pastel-colored shirts and corduroy jackets off the rack and flung them onto the floor. For several moments , she continued to empty out his closet drawers, adding Jeremy’s possessions to the heaping mound by the front door. Then she opened a carton of garbage bags and started jamming Jeremy’s stuff into them. She wanted him out tonight . G iven the circumstances, the least he could do was to leave. And now that he was seeing the glamorous Athena, Annabel was certain that Jeremy would much rather stay in Athena’s posh place on the Upper East Side than in their cramped little studio.
    It was almost nine o’clock at night when Annabel heard Jeremy’s key in the front door lock. The bulging trash bags that she had assembled in the foyer obstructed the door from opening fully, and Jeremy had to squeeze himself through the narrow opening.
    “Ann, where did all these garbage bags come from?”
    Perhaps it was her imagination, but Annabel was certain that she heard a note of apprehension in Jeremy’s voice.
    “Those are your clothes.”
    Annabel stood facing him, her arms folded across her chest. She hoped that Jeremy would not notice the puffiness that still lingered around her eyes from all the crying.
    “My clothes?” Jeremy looked dumbfounded. “But why would you put my clothes into garbage bags? I know that you don’t always approve of my fashion sense, but don’t you think that’s a bit extreme?” Jeremy managed a chuckle, but his eyes darted about nervously.
    “That’s right . I never liked your preppy shirts and your corduroy jackets with leather patches on the sleeves. Why would anyone buy a new jacket with sleeve patches ? T hey are pretentious and full of shit, just like you.” Annabel could barely believe the words that were coming out of her mouth . S he had been terrified of bursting into tears at the sight of Jeremy, and yet here she was, sounding tougher than nails, albeit with the help of several shots of Hine cognac that she had downed to dull her anguish.
    “Where is this coming from? Baby, what’s wrong? I was going to surprise you with wonderful news , and this is the kind of welcome I get?”
    “Let me guess . Athena sold your book?”
    “How did you know that?”
    “Because I saw you with her, celebrating.”
    Jeremy had an exc ellent poker face, but now it failed him completely as he turned paper white.
    “I can explain,” he murmured.
    “That ought to be a good one . I’d like to hear how you’re going to explain your tongue in her mouth.”
    “Ann, I did it for us…”
    “How can you say that?” She stared at him, uncomprehending. “How long have you been seeing her behind my back?”
    Jeremy looked away.
    “Tell me how long you’ve been sneaking behind my back . Y ou owe me this much.” She glared at him.
    “Ever since she started representing me…”
    Three months , Annabel thought. Jeremy’s admission stunned her like thunder on a sunny day . S he had been made a fool of for three months.
    “Ann, she promised to get me a movie deal! Do you realize what this could do for my career?” Jeremy halted. “I did it for us . I t was the only way I could get my foot in the door! Now, I can finally give back to you as I’ve promised.”
    “You have a very interesting understanding of paying back, Jeremy . I f I had known that from the start, I would have never wasted seven years of my life on you.” Suddenly Annabel felt that the tears she had managed to stall off until now were about to unleash themselves with a vengeance. “I’m going to go out for a walk. I’ll be back in an hour . I hope that by that time you’ll be gone.”
    “Please, baby! Don’t leave . N ot like this!” Jeremy rushed toward her.
    “Not like this? Is the timing wrong for you? Sorry I wasn’t blind enough to let you go on with your charade until