Page 114 of Sins (The Sins Trilogy 1)
“He was dating Audrey Duff, who you have to admit is stunning.”
Audrey Duff is a rising star, and is known for her sultry, voluptuous look. And now I hate her.
“He dumped her after a month. The rumor is he did it because she bleached her hair.”
“That’s ridiculous. Nobody dumps someone over their hair color!”
“The timing works out.”
“So if I belch after listening to Chopin, Chopin’s the reason I belched?”
“Oh, fine! But you know it’s weird anyway. That poor woman. She must love him to attempt to kill herself over him.”
“More like she needs some serious therapy. It isn’t normal.” Poor Tony, having to put up with this kind of nonsense. Is this what that call was about? If so, no wonder he was weird and closed off afterward.
“True love. But that’s not all to this drama. He totally ignored the entire incident. No statement, not even a basket of flowers to wish her a speedy recovery. It’s like he just…doesn’t care.”
I doubt that. Just because you don’t publicly react to something doesn’t mean you don’t have any feelings about it. “So what happened to her?”
“Nothing. She survived, and I heard she’s going to costar in a new movie with Ryder Reed.”
Maybe she got the help she needed. Or… “I wouldn’t put too much stock in that kind of stuff. You know how the tabloids are.”
“But—”
I wave a hand, not interested in any more pointless gossip about Tony and his mentally unstable ex. “If it makes you feel better, Tony’s been nothing but a gentleman.”
“I just don’t want you to get hurt.”
I manage a smile. If it was someone other than Julie, I might doubt their sincerity. But Julie’s an amazing friend, the kind who is happier than you for your good fortune and who sheds more tears than you over your setbacks. “Thanks. But so far, he’s been great, and you know how cautious I am.”
She sighs. “I know. That’s why I’m worried. Careful people tend to fall harder. And you’ve been so picky about who you date.”
Maybe she’s right, but I don’t want to dwell on it because—short of her telling me he’s a murderer—how I feel about Tony isn’t going to change. “What pieces were you working on in Moscow? You did more than just hanging out with hot Russian men, right?”
Julie perks up and launches into a long, involved explanation of how she reinterpreted Tchaikovsky’s concerto. I listen and nod. But her comment that careful people tend to fall harder circles faster and faster in my head until I barely register a word she’s saying.
