Beautiful Abyss (California Dreamers #3) Read Online Free PDF Page B

seven.
    It’s already quarter after.
    “I’m on my way,” I say into the phone before she has a chance to speak.
    “You’d better be here in five minutes. You’re already late.”
    I’m about ten minutes from her place, unless I run. I’ve got on jeans and a polo shirt. She didn’t tell me to get dressed up, and I don’t have time to get changed anyway.
    I don’t want to take cards for Abby with me to Penny’s place, so I place the three I picked out back on the shelf and hurry out of the store.
    I make it to Penny’s condo in seven minutes. Not too bad, but I know she’s still going to be pissed.
    Maybe I should have gotten a card for her so she wouldn’t yell at me.
    Who am I kidding? She’s still going to yell at me no matter what I do.
    The woman is spooky sometimes. She opens the door before I even have a chance to knock.
    “Do you have EST ?” I joke.
    She shoots daggers at me. “You’re already late. Don’t be stupid too.”
    I’m not sure what to say without sounding even more stupid so I shove my hands in my pockets instead.
    “You’re lucky you’re gorgeous because you’re not the brightest bulb in the box.”
    “You don’t have to be mean,” I tell her.
    “And you don’t have to speak. Ever . Just dazzle my friends with your charming smile, and when we get home, make magic happen between the sheets. That’s all you need to do. Understand?”
    I nod.
    “Good.”
    She slams the door in my face.
    A few seconds later she opens it again. This time she’s holding her purse. “Let’s go.”
    ***
    The entire cab ride I do as I was told and keep my mouth shut. That seems to make Penny happy, and that’s what I’m here for.
    But all I keep thinking about is Abby.
    I’m not going to be able to keep screwing Penny if I want to be with Abby. But what will that mean for my career?
    Will Penny still want to be my manager if I‘m no longer her boy toy?
    The cab stops at one of the many McMansions that are all over Beverly Hills. Penny has been in the business almost as long as I’ve been alive, and she knows a lot of people.
    Success in Hollywood is almost more about who you know than how talented you are. Every time I attend one of these events with Penny I get to know more people.
    If I meet enough people I figure eventually I’ll get my big break. It feels like I’m getting so close it’s probably the worst time to part ways with Penny.
    But what other option do I have? If things get as serious with Abby as I’d like them to I can’t imagine telling her, “Sorry, I’ve got to run. I’ve got to give my forty-five-year old manager some action.”
    Whenever we go to parties Penny likes to have me along as eye candy. I’m as much of an accessory as her purse. She just has me on the other arm.
    She talks to several actors who I recognize from current shows on television. After they look me up and down they pretty much ignore me.
    “Let’s get something to drink,” she tells me once the television actors take off.
    She orders champagne for both of us. I’m not much of a champagne drinker, but I don’t want to look out of place so I hold the glass as if I’m drinking it.
    Penny, on the other hand, loves to drink. Not just champagne either. She’ll down anything with alcohol in it like it’s water.
    And that’s exactly what she does with the champagne. She downs her first two glasses like they’re water.
    When she notices I haven’t even touched mine she glares at me. “Are you going to drink that?”
    I hand it to her. “I was just holding it for you.” Then I give her a big grin.
    If she drinks enough of the bubby maybe I won’t have to perform tonight. She’s been known to pass out and not require my services. 
    Once she’s downed my glass I order us two more drinks.
    She takes a little more time drinking her fourth glass, but not that much.
    By the time I hand her the fifth, she’s already a little wobbly.
    Knowing Penny she probably hasn’t eaten anything all