"Roberts, Nora - Private Scandals" - читать интересную книгу автора (Roberts Nora)

The leggy, doe-eyed woman turned, brushing her glorious mane of flaming hair aside. Her face--the ivory
complexion, the delicate bones, the melting eyes and generous mouth--was as stunning as it was famous. The quick,
flashing smile was automatic. She was, first and last, an actress.
"Hello."
"Those braces sure as hell did the job." Now Deanna laughed. "Kate, it's Dee. Deanna Reynolds."
"Deanna." The furious nervous tension beneath the smile dissolved. "Oh, God, Deanna." The infectious giggle that
turned men to putty rang out. "I can't believe it."
"Imagine how I feel. It has to be fourteen, fifteen years."
For Kate, for one beautiful moment, it felt like yesterday. She could remember all the long talks--the innocence of
girlish confidences.
Under Cassie's fascinated eye, the two women crossed the room and embraced. They hung on to each other a
moment, tight.
"You look wonderful," they said simultaneously, then laughed.
"It's true." Kate drew back, but kept Deanna's hand in hers. "We do. It's a long way from Topeka."
"Longer for you. What's Hollywood's newest star doing in Chicago?"
"A little business." Kate's smile dimmed. "A little hype. What about you?"



"I work here."
"Here?" The remnants of the warm smile vanished. "For Angela?"
"No, downstairs. In the newsroom. Midday, with Roger Crowell and Deanna Reynolds."
"Don't tell me two of my favorite people know each other." Angela stepped out, the gracious hostess. "Kate, dear, I'm
sorry you had to wait. Cassie didn't tell me you were here."
"I just got in." The hand still gripping Deanna's stiffened, then relaxed. "My plane was delayed this morning, so I've
been running behind all day."
"Awful, isn't it? Even a woman with your talents is subject to the whims of technology. Now tell me ..." She strolled
over to lay a proprietary hand on Deanna's shoulder. "How do you know our Dee?"
"My aunt lived across the street from Deanna's family. I spent a couple of summers in Kansas as a child."
"And you were playmates." Angela's laugh was delighted. "That's charming. And Deanna's been keeping her brush
with fame all to herself. Shame on you."
In a subtle move, no less potent for its polish, Kate shifted. The gesture eased Angela out of the circle. "How's your
family?"
"They're fine." Baffled by the tension snapping in the air, Deanna tried to find the source of it in Kate's eyes. All she
could see--was allowed to see--was the soft, tawny gold. "They never miss one of your movies. Neither do I. I
remember how you'd put on plays in your aunt's backyard."
"And you'd write them. Now you're reporting the news."
"And you're making it. You were incredible in Deception, Kate. I cried buckets."
"There's Oscar talk." Smoothly, Angela moved forward to drape an arm around Kate's shoulders. "How could there
not be when Kate so effectively played the heroic young mother fighting to keep her child." A look passed between
them, sharp as a razor. "I attended the premiere. There wasn't a dry eye in the house."



"Oh, I imagine there was one."
Kate's smile was brilliant, and curiously feline. "Or two."
"I'd love to give you girls time to catch up." Angela pressed her fingers warningly on Kate's shoulder. "But we're
running late."
"I'll let you go." Tucking Angela's speech under her arm, Deanna stepped back. "How long will you be in Chicago?"
"I'm leaving tomorrow." Kate stepped back as well. "It was good to see you."