What Lola Wants (London Dolls Book 1) by JoAnne Kenrick Read Free Book Online Page B

long did you put up with him? Ten years?” Jane dashed around the breakfast bar.
    Louisa nodded. “Yes, pretty much. Ten long years. I’m a sucker for a man in tights who knows how to take charge. And boy, could he spin me with his dreamy Italian accent and flashy spending habits. Now, he gives me the shivers. And not in a good way.” Louisa parked herself on a barstool and leaned on the counter, the granite surface cold against her arms. The harsh reality sank in. She had let Al abuse and control her because she was greedy for fame, and she’d enjoyed Al’s attention at first. “I’m to blame for the mess of my life. After all, I’d planned on using Al to get to the top of the company, and his attention flattered me. I got my just deserts.”
    “Thank goodness you reported him to the police. Crazy dude stealing your money. I’m curious to find out how he managed that.” Jane whipped up a fresh batch of pink frosting and piped sugary goodness over the little treats. “I know what you need.”
    “A winning lottery ticket?”
    “That would be nice,” Jane said. “But, no.”
    “A supernatural ability to spot the good-for-nothing men from the ones who actually give a damn about other people besides themselves?”
    “No.”
    “A bodyguard? A Clue? A Chris Hemsworth look-a-like?”
    “Nope. Though I’ll take the last suggestion if you have one going. No, what you need is to dance.”
    “At The Doll House, I’m guessing?”
    Jane beamed. “Hell, yes. Even if it’s a short-term thing. Say you open on Friday to give you a few days to learn a routine. You could earn up to three hundred quid depending on how many seats are filled, maybe even get a regular gig out of it. And you can stay here until you’re on your feet.”
    “There’s one problem. I can’t striptease. You saw me. And when I’m on that stage, all I can think about is Al and the control he had over me.
    “I was consumed by dance, I guess. Life off the stage kinda sucked, so nothing else mattered after the performances and post-show parties. Nothing else needed to matter.” Louisa paused, debating how much disclosure she needed to give. “I’m sorry, but I can’t. I think I’m done performing. So done.”
    “Well, you’re here.” Jane handed her an espresso and another fairy cake. “And that’s worth celebrating. So, cheers.”
    “Cheers.” She tapped cakes with Jane then took a huge bite. “You must be doing okay to afford all this swanky stuff. I swear you nabbed a window display from that Swedish furniture store.”
    “Told you, The Doll House pays well. And Dennis helps out a lot. He moved in three months back when he left his fiancée, and he paid for the renovations and did all this while I stayed at the old place until he’d finished. Said he had to spend the money or she’d get her mitts on it. Plus, he needed a place to stay and something to do. Who was I to complain?” She snorted. “Remember how much we loved that old dump of a place we shared?”
    She nodded. “I went by there earlier. It’s how I found him. So, what’s his ex-fiancée like? What’s her name, Bianca?”
    “An artsty-fartsy drama teacher at the university. Lovely woman, but turned a bit nuts when he dumped her on the way to the wedding cake tasting session. After that, she claimed he owed her his life savings to pay for the wedding arrangements. Arrangements he’d already friggin’ paid for. Cheeky cow.”
    “So he is single? There’s definitely no one else? And the marriage is definitely off?” Louisa fought hard not to let out a cheer, to air any indication she thought of Dennis in any way except as a friend because she wasn’t sure if she was ready for that. For him. She was fresh from a breakup, and her career drowning in a puddle of mud. And his kiss. Oh, his kiss. Besides, he’d clearly stated he didn’t want the distraction.
    “There’s always someone else with him.”
    Her heart sank. “That Sally Sweetheart woman from last