Page 34 of Until the Sea Runs Dry

9

An hour later, driven by a chauffeur in a smart gray suit, their car pulled into Universal Studios.

Known as the “Entertainment Capital of LA,” it was one of the oldest studios still in use. Jane wound down her black-tinted window, marveling as they drove past the streets of New York City, complete with brownstone houses and their stoops.

It looked so real that she found it hard to believe that it was a set. It was only when the city block receded into the distance that she saw the wooden planks and metal beams that supported the sets.

The magic of Hollywood was on full display.

They drove down an avenue flanked on both sides with soaring palm trees that reached into the cloudless sky, slowing only to let a golf cart pass.

In the back of the cart, her chestnut locks flowing, Jane recognized the stunning woman in the skintight peach evening gown and satin gloves that went up to her elbow, but couldn’t place her. The woman’s eyes landed on Jane without interest and looked past her into the car. She started, her Merlot-painted lips, parting.

“Logan? Is that you?” She gasped, her bust suddenly heaving from the apparent effort of saying those four words.

Logan cursed as he signaled for the driver to move on, but the woman had already stopped her cart and gotten out of it — directly in the path of their car, stopping them from continuing.

“Sorry, Boss,” Daryl apologized. “We’re going to have to wait until they pass.”

The woman sashayed toward them, hips snaking with practiced ease as she peered in, revealing a lot of cleavage that she pressed against the window. A whiff of sickly strong perfume assaulted Jane’s nose, making the back of her throat itch. She leaned back to get away from both the smell and that cleavage.

“I thought I recognized that steely profile,” the woman laughed, loving her own play on the words.

“Sheena,” Logan nodded. He couldn’t bring himself to fake enthusiasm or interest at the sight of her.

“I was shocked to hear about you and Ellie. You must be devastated,” she purred, not the least bit believable in her concern. Her words were directed at Logan, though her eyes openly assessed Jane from head to toe. Jane had the distinct feeling the woman was memorizing every detail so she could relay her impression of her later.

“The end of a relationship is always sad,” Logan replied in a bored toned. He must have repeated this exact same phrase many times before.

“But worse still when one partner moves on so quickly. I know Ellie feels terrible about finding love again, and so soon after your breakup.”

If there was an award for insincerity, this woman would have won it.

“She doesn’t like to waste time.” There was a bite to his comment. A bitterness that came with the words.

“Ellie’s not one to hang around, that’s the truth,” Sheena laughed coyly. “Anyway, I saw you passing, and I couldn’t help from stopping. I just wanted to check up on you. I know the last few months have been very rough on you…”

Logan gave her a level stare, knowing his welfare wasn’t of any concern to her. “Don’t believe everything you hear. I’m just on my way to a fitting now, actually—“

“Oh, yes, of course. I remember hearing about this one. You’re taking a lesser role.” Her heavily made-up eyes glittered with malice. Jane shrank back into her seat, unconsciously wanting to keep away from the negative energy the woman exuded.

“It’s a co-starring role,” Logan muttered through gritted teeth. “The shorter time constraints allow me to work on multiple projects.”

But Sheena had moved away from the window, done with the conversation now that she had gotten her jabs in.

“Oh Honey, you need to get a better publicist. That line is as overused as my plastic surgeon.”

With another laugh, Sheena swanned back to her cart and left, waving grandly at the two of them.

“Can you roll up the window?” Logan requested quietly.

“Of course.” Jane jumped to do his bidding. When he didn’t expand on that meeting, she couldn’t stop herself from asking, “Not a fan of yours, I gather?”

Logan turned to stare out of his window. “She’s a friend of my ex. She’s always been a bitch. Seems to live for other people’s misfortune. I don’t think she’s ever said a nice word about anyone.”

“Not even your ex? They are friends after all.”

“I’m sure she talks about her behind her back.”

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