Secrets of a Bollywood Marriage by Susanna Carr Read Free Book Online

urgency and creativity in the atmosphere.
    Tina spotted her mother sitting on the bright blue chair among the contemporary artwork depicting famous movie scenes. Tina was surprised that tears pricked her eyes when she saw Reema Sharma. Her mother’s long black braid was streaked liberally with gray hair and red henna. Her white embroidered dupatta slipped over her shoulders and her dark blue shalwar kameez strained against her voluptuous curves.
    “Amma!” Tina said in greeting as she stood in front of her mother. Inhaling the floral scent that she always associated with the older woman, Tina bowed down and touched her mother’s foot with respect.
    “I hate your hair,” Reema said as she pulled a spiky tuft. “What were you thinking? No one is going to hire you when you look like a boy.”
    “She could never be confused for a boy,” Dev drawled as he greeted her mother.
    Tina rose to her full height and glanced at Dev. She felt a pull deep in her belly when she saw the gleam of desire in his eyes. She blushed and hurriedly looked away. How could he look at her like that, when he had seen her at her very worst? No amount of makeup or gloss could erase those moments when her eyes had been dulled, her hair lank and her face colorless.
    What was she thinking? She didn’t want Dev to desire her anymore. To look at her with such intensity that her stomach would clutch with anticipation. She needed to keep her distance.
    “Would you like a tour?” Dev asked.
    “Yes!” Reema said enthusiastically.
    “Where are Rani and Meera?” Tina asked as they walked. She was very aware of Dev beside her. Tina didn’t like the way he towered over her. It made her feel small and delicate.
    “I told your sisters that I needed to speak to you alone,” Reema said as she straightened her dupatta . “It’s a shame that they’re missing this. Do you think we’ll meet any stars?”
    “They will be working,” Tina said. She didn’t point out that her sisters didn’t care about the Hindi film industry. They had other interests and goals, something her starstruck mother couldn’t understand.
    “Yes, but we will be with the boss,” Reema reminded her. She glanced at Dev and then back at Tina. “We can always talk later, when we’re alone.”
    “I’m her husband,” he reminded his mother-in-law. “You can say anything in front of me.”
    That didn’t mean a lot to Reema Sharma. She wasn’t impressed with Dev’s good looks or his male charm. Tina couldn’t remember the last time her mother had said anything complimentary about a man. Her mother didn’t like, respect or trust men. Not since the day her husband had deserted her with three young daughters.
    “Is everything all right?” Tina asked as they walked through the crowded corridor. When her mother wanted to talk, it was usually about money. Reema was always worried about when Tina was going to get her next role and her next paycheck.
    “You tell me.” Her mother’s voice rose. “Where have you been?”
    Tina pressed her lips together. She knew she couldn’t tell her mother. Couldn’t tell anyone. She glanced at Dev and fear pulsed through her veins in response to his intent look. It was as if he was waiting for her to reveal her deepest, darkest secrets. “I was in California.”
    “Hollywood?” Reema’s eyes lit up. “Did you meet anyone famous? Anyone in the movie business?”
    “There was a television director,” Tina said, remembering the anxious woman who chain-smoked and drank coffee constantly. “I had lunch with her several times.”
    “That’s good!” her mother said as they walked past several offices. “Did she want to hire you?”
    Tina shrugged. “There was some talk about it.” She didn’t think the director had been serious, which was fine for Tina. She couldn’t imagine moving away from Mumbai. It was her home.
    “That’s it? One director?” Reema asked. “You were gone for so long.”
    She decided to stick with Dev’s