Hollywood Ever After Read Online Free PDF

the soft sand. Mom would have them settled in and sleeping peacefully by now. Bedtime was my favorite time. It meant cuddles, talks, and love. I hugged myself, the sudden rush of homesickness sharp. I hadn’t left the kids, ever. But things were different now. I didn’t need to watch over them all the time. It was time to relax.
    I shivered as a gust of wind hit me, jolting me from my reverie.
    My eyes adjusted to the moonlight; the sand glowed white. The crisp, salty sea air tickled my nose after the various perfumes and scents crowding the party. The soothing sound of the waves muffled everything; only an occasional rise in volume from the party broke through.
    There were a few couples strolling, but it felt delightfully deserted compared to the crowd of the party. The only drawback was the temperature. It was colder here, away from the fire pits and people. I wrapped my arms around myself, but there wasn’t much to keep out the chill. I wandered down to the surf, keeping my toes safely on dry land.
    “Claire?” Josh’s voice made me jump. “Sorry I startled you. I saw you make your way down.”
    “Just lost in the moment.” My voice was strained. “It’s lovely.” Almost as lovely as you are.
    Josh’s gaze remained on me, not the ocean or the beach or the moon. “It is.”
    My heart thumped, warming under his inspection.
    He asked, “How did you meet Shannon?”
    “College. We had a Creative Writing class together. She was this outspoken, pushy chick that loved to talk at the class versus with the class. We both loved to write and we just clicked. She’s been trying to push me out of my shell ever since.”
    “She’s rather…opinionated at times.” He stole a glance from the corner of his eye, smiling.
    I nodded. “That’s putting it very nicely. But, all stubbornness and opinions aside, she’s the most loyal friend in the world.”
    “I’ve never read anything of hers.” He stared up at the moon.
    “She’s exceptionally talented.”
    “It appears that she feels the same way about you—as you’re her muse.”
    “She’s…I don’t know…” I had no idea what to say. I didn’t want to have this conversation, ever. C ertainly not on the beach, under the stars, with him. Wasn’t there anything else to talk about?I shrugged. “I honestly don’t know what she’s thinking.”
    I felt it the instant Josh’s hazel eyes were on me, but I refused to meet his gaze. I waited, keeping my mouth shut and a small smile on my face. I knew he was waiting for me to elaborate, but I had nothing to add. The quiet grew. The wind whistled as it blew around us. Goose bumps covered my skin and I shivered.
    “Here.” Josh removed his jacket and placed it around my shoulders. His thumbs stroked softly over my collarbone, leaving a trail of heat in their wake.
    I was acutely aware of Josh, of the fact that we were alone. My eyes lingered on his lower lip, mere inches from me. “Thank you.”
    “You’re welcome,” Josh said softly. His hands slid from my shoulders, putting some distance between us. “In a way I feel like I know you.” A slow and slightly flush-inducing smile spread across his face as he continued. “You’re a bit of a personal hero for Shannon. You come up often in conversation.” He watched me as he spoke, watched as I fiddled with the buttons on his jacket.
    “Really?” Shannon’s been talking about me? That probably wasn’t good.
    “I was curious to meet you, this tower of strength and inspiration that Shannon’s so devoted to. I imagined someone slightly intimidating and world-weary,” he said. “Nothing at all like you. You’re a complete surprise. She didn’t do you justice.”
    I was shocked and more than a little pleased by his compliment. It took an effort to speak, let alone sound normal, as I said, “She says a lot of things—some she probably shouldn’t.” I shivered at another gust of wind.
    He moved closer, trying to shield me from the breeze. “You must