Sunshine Beach by Wendy Wax Read Free Book Online Page B

enemy.
    â€œYou’re right,” Avery said. “What’s the point of you following us around all morning hoping for a clean shot you might never get?”
    Kyra turned the jogging stroller around. “I agree. Why don’t we just have a little photo op right now so you don’t have to work up a sweat or anything?”
    The three paparazzi conferred. “I wouldn’t mind having some breakfast,” Nigel said.
    â€œIt’s not like they’re doing anything we haven’t shot a hundred times before,” Bill said. “They haven’t even had a good argument since Deirdre died.”
    Avery fisted her hands on her hips. Her lips tightened. “Sorry to be so disappointing.”
    â€œYeah,” Kyra said repositioning the stroller. “Take the photo or don’t. Jeez.”
    The three conferred again. One of their stomachs rumbled loudly, which ultimately decided the matter.
    Avery, Nikki, Maddie, and Kyra slid their arms around each other’s waists. Without prompting Dustin took off his Mickey Mouse sunglasses, leaned forward in the stroller, and spread his arms wide.
    â€œGentlemen.” Maddie nodded when the photo frenzy ended. The women turned their backs on the photographers and took the path to the beach.
    â€œThat was a good move,” Nikki said as they walked downto the hard-packed sand and headed north. “Maybe if we throw them the occasional photo op and keep things boring enough they’ll give up and go away altogether.”
    â€œYou mean cancel the orgy I had lined up?” Maddie asked drily.
    â€œYeah. You do that and I’ll postpone that nude morning run I was considering,” Nikki said.
    There was laughter.
    â€œI think we have the basis for a workable strategy here,” Kyra said. “We just need to keep it up until some real celebrities show up.”
    â€œI’d settle for a couple of reality TV stars doing something stupid,” Avery said.
    â€œ
We
are reality TV stars,” Nikki pointed out.
    â€œNot by choice. And not anymore,” Avery replied. “And if the Singer women could detach from their celebrity attachments, we could probably run around naked without attracting the slightest attention.”
    â€œSpeak for yourself,” Nikki said.
    The mood lightened further. In truth it was difficult to be negative with sugar-white sand sifting beneath your feet and a perfect blue sky overhead.
    â€œDustin will always be Daniel Deranian’s son,” Kyra said. “Whether I ever see Daniel again or not.” She kept her voice even, but no one there thought this was likely.
    Maddie understood far better now than she had when Kyra had first come home pregnant by a movie star, just how difficult it could be to resist someone that charismatic. William had been flying way under the radar when they’d first arrived to renovate Mermaid Point. Would that change now that he’d begun making music again? Maddie turned her face up to the sun trying to lose the thought in the sound of the waves washing onto the sand and the light breeze that caressed her bare shoulders. A picture of Renée Franklin’s bleak gaze replaced it.
    The Don CeSar Hotel’s pink castle-like structure grew larger as they neared.
    â€œSo how far from the Don is the Sunshine Hotel?” Nikki asked. “I’ve run this beach a thousand times and never seen anything near it that looked in need of a major rehab.”
    â€œI know,” Kyra said. “It’s really hidden.” She pointed toward the distant glint of sun on metal. “It’s just up there.”
    â€œNear those dunes?” Avery asked.
    â€œBetween them. And if Nigel and his friends show up let’s just keep walking,” Kyra said. “It’s not the kind of place you want to lead scavengers to.”
    â€œNo, it doesn’t sound like it. But that’s exactly what we’d be doing if we somehow got