"Bennett, Cherie - Sunset Island 005 - Sunset Reunion (b)" - читать интересную книгу автора (Bennett Cherie)

"Just do what I say," Faith told her. "We might even catch him with a trace of white powder under that gorgeous nose of his."
Carrie looked at her friends, then at
Mark, for help. All three were speechless. She'd have to handle it herself. "Listen, Faith," Carrie began, "I think that's an ' invasion of privacy or something."
Faith sipped the last of her champagne and eyed Carrie coolly. "Rule number one, Carrie," Faith said, counting on her fingers. "Stars have no privacy. Rule number two," she continued, "you are employed by Rock On, get it? I don't know what kind of relationship you have with GrahamЧalthough it appears to be pretty personalЧbut right now you work for me. Now go get the shot."
Carrie bit her lip and walked over to the bathroom, standing a few feet away from the door. Her hands were sweaty and trembling. Before she could lift the camera to her eye, Claudia came flying over to her.
"Hi, Carrie! I told Chloe you were here and she really wanted to say hello this afternoon," Claudia began nervously. Chloe was Claudia and Graham's four-year-old daughter. "I just didn't want to interrupt you while you were working." Claudia's eyes kept darting to the bathroom. It was obvious to Carrie that Claudia knew Graham was in there, and that she did not want his picture snapped when he came out.
At that moment the bathroom door opened and Graham bounded out, sniffing audibly and pinching his nostrils nervously.
Claudia got more animated, even spinning Carrie half around to turn her away from Graham. But Carrie had seen what she'd seen. Even though she didn't actually know anybody who did cocaine, she'd certainly read enough to know the telltale signs. Still, there was no proof, and she absolutely did not want to see Graham's image wrecked this way. Obviously Faith disagreed, though; Carrie could feel the journalist glaring at her from across the room because Carrie hadn't taken the shot she had demanded.
"Mark, conference," Faith said tersely to her assistant. "Excuse us," she added as she and Mark walked briskly away from Sam and Emma.
"What a barracuda," Emma shuddered.
"Yeah, but she dresses great," Sam said. She was still watching Johnny out of the corner of her eye. Across the room he was eyeing her, too. Sam made sure he never saw her looking in his direction.
"What was that whole thing about Carrie taking a picture of Graham coming out of the bathroom?" Emma asked Sam.
"I'm not sure," Sam said. "Something is very weird. It sounded like Faith was insinuating that Graham's coked up, and she
wanted
Carrie to get a picture of it."
"But tiat doesn't make any sense!" Emma cried. "Graham is head of Rockers Against Drugs, i m't he? He did that music video and all those TV commercials. ..."
"Could be he's in trouble," Sam said. She looked across the room at Carrie, who was still having a conversation with Claudia.
Emma shook her head sadly. She'd seen too many very rich and very bored kids her own age experiment with cocaine and get hooked on it. People in her crowd had the money to support such an expensive drug habit, but that didn't stop it from ruining their lives. ^
"Carrie really looks miserable over there," Emma observed softly. "I think she'sЧ"
"Hey, don't look now, but Mr. Tall, Blond, and Irresistible is heading our way," Sam hissed under her breath. ""
"I brought you both more champagne," Johnny Angel said, coming up next to Sam and Emma.
"Thanks," both girls said, accepting the crystal fluted glasses.
"So, are you girls with Graham's band?" Johnny asked.
"Not really," Sam said coolly.
"But you do have names," he coaxed with a laugh.
"Emma Cresswell," Emma said.
"Sam Bridges," Sam said.
"And I'm Johnny Angel," Johnny said.
Silence. He was obviously waiting for the usual big reaction.
Sam furrowed her brow and looked at Emma. "Wasn't there some ancient rock song called 'Johnny Angel'? I think I heard it once at an oldies party."
"Could be," Emma said, playing along. She looked at Johnny curiously. "Did your parents name you after a song, or is it coincidence?"
The smile on Johnny's face faltered for a second. "You're kidding, right?"
"About what?" Sam asked.
"I'm Johnny Angel. You know, 'Breathless for You'? That's me. I'm opening for Graham tonight."
Sam shrugged. "I listen mostly to reggae."
"And I spend a lot of time in Europe," Emma added.
Johnny was at a loss for words. Then he threw his head back and laughed. He looked at Sam, his eyes dancing.
"So listen, are you planning to come to the show tonight, or are you going to be tied up with some Rastafarians?"
"I'll be there," Sam said casually. "I'm a friend of Graham's."
"How close a friend?" Johnny asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Graham is married," Sam said demurely. "I'm also a friend of Claudia's."
"So you two already have backstage passes, then," Johnny said.
"Right," Sam agreed.
"Well, then, let's see if when I sing 'Breathless for You,' I can't ignite some kind of fire under that cool exterior of yours."
"I usually wait in Graham's dressing room during the opening act," Sam said.
Johnny's jaw dropped open. Emma had to bite her lip to keep from laughing.
"But tonight I might make an exception," Sam added.
"Great," Johnny managed.
"Well, we have to run," Sam said, handing her empty champagne flute to a passing waiter. "Nice to meet you," she added.
Emma offered her good-byes as Sam half dragged her toward the door and out of the suite.