Trouble In Bloom by Heather Webber Read Free Book Online

twenty minutes."

    "Do you drive like that all the time?" Roxie clung to her little notebook. Her pale skin had lost all hint of color.
    "Are you going to be okay?"
    "Need to sit down."
    I helped her into a chair in Azure's reception area. I noticed two men sitting near the Wi-fitable. One had a camera just like Nels's.
    Nels spotted them too. "What are you doing here, George, Joe?"
    "George? Joe?" I asked.
    "They work for Hitched or Ditched too."
    "Ah." That made sense. They were probably Perry's team.
    "Working," the cameraman said.
    "Working?" Nels parroted.
    "Perry Owens."
    Nels looked at me. "Are you coming to see Perry?"
    I nodded.
    "You could have told us."
    "Does it matter?"
    He grumbled. "Not really. Just like to be prepared."
    "Ugh, I feel sick," Roxie moaned.
    "Oh, my driving wasn't that bad!" I snapped.
    Her eyebrows dipped, she slapped a hand over her mouth and lurched for the bathroom door.
    "Was it?" I asked Nels.
    "Nah. She gets carsick."
    "Don't field producers need to be in cars a lot?"
    Nels shrugged.
    "Nina!" Perry rushed over and kissed both my cheeks. "I'm so glad you came by." He walked a circle around me, finger to his lips. "I cannot wait to get my hands on you."
    Nels hefted his camera, aimed.
    "Uh," George warned, starting to stand.
    "You!" A cute little thing came bustling out from behind the desk, snapping her fingers. She was maybe five-one, five-two tops, with wide eyes, great cheekbones, and an angular haircut that accented her features. She wore black from neck to toe.
    George sat. Grinned.
    "Me?" Nels said.
    "Yes, you. No filming. Azure prohibits it."
    Nels glared at me.
    "What? I didn't know."
    "I'll take care of it, Justine," Perry cooed to the outraged receptionist. To Nels, he said, "Nina will be out in no time."
    "How long is no time?" Nels asked.
    "A little while. Relax, read a magazine, nap."
    Nels slumped into the vacant chair next to George.
    Perry whispered to me, "You've got two hours of freedom, at least."
    "Really?"
    Leading me around the frosted glass partition, he motioned to a chair, and I slid into it. With the fl air of a toreador, he slipped a silky black cape around my shoulders, fastened it at my neck.
    "You're so lucky you don't have to be filmed all day." I used the mirror to look at him.
    "So I've heard. Mario's already called three times about his crew. They're following him all over the courthouse— even to the bathroom."
    "Courthouse? What does he do?"
    "Court stenographer."
    "I'm surprised the county okayed the filming."
    "The judge Mario works most for is up for reelection."
    "That explains it."
    He nodded. "Okay." His fingers dove into my hair. "For color, I'm seeing honeycomb with a hint of oatmeal."
    "Perry," I said. "English."
    "Don't tell me you're a virgin? Your hair! Your hair!" he quickly explained at my look of shock.
    For a second there I was reminded of the last person who'd asked me if I was a virgin. I'd ended up digging up her body. I didn't think I should share that story with Perry.
    I forced out a laugh to hide my sudden discomfort. "As pure as the driven snow."
    He squealed with glee. "I'll be right back."
    Azure had many styling stations zigzagged across the room—most filled. I spotted a familiar face on the other side of the room and nearly fell out of my chair.
    Perry came back, all smiles as he set down two bowls and a handful of foil sheets.
    "Is that Genevieve Sala over there?" I asked.
    "Comes in every week."
    "Is that how you know so much about her?"
    Running the end of a comb over my scalp, he separated hair. "There are no secrets here."
    I'd remember that.
    Perry pulled a section of hair up, slipped a foil over it and slathered on what looked to be butterscotch pudding.
    "What's she saying about the threat?"
    "All a misunderstanding. A prank."
    "Did you see the news last night?"
    "Never miss it. That Carson Keyes is one good-lookin' man." He grinned. "Don't tell Mario I said that."
    "My lips are sealed."
    "I hear Genevieve's been