The Forever Dream by Iris Johansen Read Free Book Online

get an offer like that again," she ended, her lips quirking. "Do you think I should have taken him up on it?"
    "I think you should have socked him in the nose," Marguerite said indignantly. "I can't see why in hell you're so amused. Why aren't you insulted?"
    Tania shrugged. "Why should I be? Everyone has his own set of values. That money probably meant a lot to that old man. If anything, I should be complimented."
    "Tania, you're absolutely hopeless." Marguerite sighed. "You never react as I think you're going to. I'm surprised that you didn't take the old pervert up on his offer just to soothe his fevered brow."
    "I might have," Tania said with a grin, "if I hadn't gotten the impression that wasn't the portion of his anatomy that was fevered." She chuckled as she got to her feet. "Besides, I had another commitment—to my favorite man. And now I think I'd better go and get him, so we can be on our way." She checked her watch. "Its almost one now. I'll drop Barry back here at five. That will give me an hour to get to my photography class."
    "My God, Tania, don't you ever rest?" Marguerite asked. She frowned as her gaze traveled critically over Tania's slight form. "You look as though you're going to blow away any minute. Have you lost weight?"
    "Perhaps a little, but not enough to matter." She lifted a brow. "And why should I rest if I'm not tired?"
    "Because you should be tired, damn it," Marguerite said crossly. "Not only do you have rehearsals and actual performances every day, but you're always pushing yourself to go to some class or other. You don't even allow yourself time to breathe."
    "I like to learn new things," Tania protested. "It's not as if I looked at it as some kind of chore. It's terribly exciting to learn new skills."
    "You're also going to find it terribly exhausting if you don't slow down," Marguerite said grimly. She held up
    her hand as Tania opened her mouth to protest. "Don't tell me. I've heard it all before. There's nothing for me to worry about. This marathon of activities isn't going to faze you at all. You have e àb Right?"
    "Right," Tania said with an affectionate grin. "Besides, after tonight's performance, I'll have two weeks to rest before we start rehearsals for the new ballet. I'll be able to loll around the entire time if I please."
    "Fat chance."
    "Well, I admit I'd probably be totally insane if I did absolutely nothing for the entire time. But I'm planning to go up to Tyler's house party in Connecticut after the performance tonight. That will give me a long weekend in which to relax. Is that good enough?"
    "It's better than nothing, I suppose," Marguerite said, making a face. She also stood up, and gave Tania's braid an affectionate tug. "Come on, let's go find Barry. Maybe after squiring an energetic five-year-old for four hours you'll change your mind about the length of your R and R in Connecticut. You may definitely need a rest cure."
    She could hear the telephone ringing as she searched for her key, and she muttered a far-from-polite imprecation beneath her breath. There was nothing that annoyed her more than standing out in the hall not knowing how long the damned phone had been ringing and feeling the urgency to answer it. It would probably stop ringing just as she picked it up, she thought crossly as she threw open the door, kicked it shut behind her, and hurried to the cream-colored princess phone on the table in the foyer.
    "Hello."
    "Tania?" Marguerite sounded worried. "I thought you'd have been home forty-five minutes ago."
    Tania tossed her purse on the table and dropped
    down on the cushioned bench. "I should have been," she said as she stretched her jean-clad legs before her. "I had to sign a few autographs at the stage door."
    "More than a few, I'd guess, judging from what Michael said about your performance tonight. How many curtain calls did they bring you back for?"
    "Twelve," Tania said with satisfaction. "Michael was right. I was utterly fantastic."
    "I don't doubt