The Prada Paradox by Julie Kenner Read Free Book Online

interview. He’d been unprepared to talk about his personal life, and when Letterman had asked him if wedding bells were in the future, he’d shot off an answer without thinking. Because at the time, hehadn’t been thinking about marriage. Why would he be? Sure they were serious, but marriage? Not on his radar.

    So, yes, he could have handled the question better. But dammit all to hell, Devi knew he was an idiot in interviews. But had she cut him some slack? Not even a tiny bit.

    For that matter, neither had the media, and “Trouble in Paradise” headlines popped up everywhere. Suddenly every ex-girlfriend had something to say about him, and all the gossip rags started speculating about how he’d only gotten together with Devi in order to land the part inGivenchy.

    The whole situation was fucked up, and he hadn’t had a clue how to make it better. He’d gone back to Los Angeles expecting Devi to commiserate with him, maybe even laugh at the press and his own stupidity. Instead, she’d cried and told him to get the hell out of her life. Something that was easier said than done, considering they were scheduled to start shooting the movie.

    Yes, he’d screwed up, but she’d overreacted, too. But none of that changed the fact that he’d hurt her, however unintentionally. That one reality haunted him. He’d grown up with an absent father, a mother he adored, and two impish little sisters. It simply wasn’t in his nature to hurt a woman, especially not a woman he cared for.

    Having theLetterman crew on the lot was like rubbing salt in her wound. Which was why he’d gone to her trailer to see if she wanted to come on the segment with him. She’d pissed him off by not hearing him out and assuming the worst, and he regretted the way he’d stormed out without telling her why he’d come in the first place.

    At least he’d had the wherewithal to cancel the damn thing. He might not completely understand women—with Devi at the top of that list—but he knew enough not to make the same mistake twice. No matter what Elliot Kelly might think.

    Of course, since Elliot made no secret that he thought Blake should date a star with more box office bang, Blake’s attempt to save Devi’s feelings probably wouldn’t pull much weight with his manager. A manager who was currently pacing, his jaw working back and forth as if he were trying to chew something really unpleasant.

    As he stalked about, the scalp under his comb-over started to turn red, a sure sign his blood pressure was rising. “So I guess I should just quit,” he finally said. “Why not? You don’t need me. Not if you got a fucking death wish.”

    “A death wish?”

    “Yeah. A death wish. You’re gonna kill off your career. And my reputation, too. You remember that the next time you pull a stunt like this.”

    Usually Elliot’s histrionics just rolled off Blake. Not today. Today, he wanted to hit something. Or someone. “Give it a rest, Elliot. They’re rescheduling.”

    That stopped Elliot’s pacing. “Rescheduling? For when, exactly?”

    “It’ll get done,” Blake said. “Trust me.” The truth was that he’d be perfectly happy if the damn interview never went forward. He liked the work just fine, but the trappings that came with it? All the damn publicity and people sticking cameras in his face?That he hated. Especially since he seemed to be miserable at it. He’d sure as hell shoved his foot firmly into his mouth on more than one occasion.

    Elliot’s fat finger came out again, and his mouth opened, but Blake cut him off. “I said it’ll get done.”

    “They’re still on the lot,” Elliot said, suddenly perking up. “If you don’t have a time already set to reschedule, then let’s just do it now. Get this out of the way, and you can concentrate on your performance. Trust me, that’s the way to go.”

    “Give it a rest.”

    “She’s not worth it, Blake,” Elliot said. “She’s not a girl who’s going to make your career.”

    “Maybe not,” Blake agreed. “But I’m not going out of