Page 85 of An Accidental Love Affair

“Who is the actress picked for the part?”

Marcus spoke up. “Melanie Daniels has shown an interest.” Everyone’s eyes shot daggers at him. “What? They have great on-screen chemistry.”

“We’re not Tracy and Hepburn. Stop trying to pair us in everything.”

Nicole turned to her father. “You’ve been quiet, Daddy. What do you think about it?”

Her father could see the worry and doubt in

her eyes. “I believe you can do anything you set your mind to, Coley.”

Now he was being supportive? She bit her lip. “What if I’m no good?”

“At least you’ll know you tried.”

It was all too much. She still wasn’t over her fear of rejection when it came to her books. Why would they want to add this to her plate?

She caught Reece’s eye, surprised to discover something like pride shining in them. Was she missing something?

“I’m not sure this is a good idea. The way I’m feeling about you right now makes me want to say yes, just so I can write something embarrassing for your character.”

“Write me any way you want, Nicole. I’ll play the part to perfection.”

Was that a challenge? Her lips tightened. “I’m going to personally put you through hell.” Her head swiveled back to Audrey, a mutinous expression in her eyes. “Call my secretary. Have her add screenwriter to my resume.”

“Yeah, I get to see Hollywood,” Lindsey whooped. Everyone but Marcus laughed.

“That’s great, but what about me? What’s going to happen to me?”

Reece moved behind Nicole. “I hear the McDonald’s near Westminster Bridge is hiring. Can you say, ‘Would you like fries with that?’”

“Very funny, Reece, but I’m serious.”

“So am I, Marcus. Your days of calling the shots with me are over. Don’t think you can work with someone else and do the same thing to them. I will spread the word of your misdeeds. You’ll be persona-non-grata in the industry.”

“You’ll ruin my career for this upstart American hussy?”

Nicole turned whip-quick, punching him in the face. She instantly sprang back, cradling her right fist. “I am not a hussy. Your brother is my friend.” She frowned in confusion. “Maybe something more; we haven’t figured that out yet, but whatever I am, I deserve some respect.”

“You’ll never be good enough for him,” Marcus spat, blood coating the hand holding his nose.

“Maybe not, but that’s for him to decide. I’m also successful in my own right. I don’t need to ride his coattails to claim my way to fame. Can you say the same?” When he was silent, she turned into Reece’s conveniently available embrace. “I need to go to the hospital. I think I just broke my hand,” she said, abruptly fainting.

~ ~ ~

When Nicole woke up, she was lying across a massive king-size bed in a room she’d never seen before. Where was she? And why the hell was she so groggy? The last thing she remembered was punching Marcus Woodhouse in the face and then . . . nothing.

She tried to sit up, but a weight on her right arm made her glance in that direction. Her arm was in a cast up to her elbow. What the hell? Her other hand felt heavy as well. Her head turned, glancing down, her eyes widening at what she discovered. Her heartbeat sped up as she stared at the object on her left hand.

“Reece!” she screamed, hearing movement in the other room. He came through the door, sitting down on the bed beside her.

“Jesus, woman, you just scared the dickens out of me.”

She held her hand out from her body like it was infected with the plague. “What is this on my left hand?”

“It’s a ring.”

Her eyes were huge. “I know it’s a ring, but is it a diamond ring or is it a ring with a diamond? There’s a difference between the two.”

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