Madness or Love (Be With Me Book 1) Read Online Free PDF Page B

And I don’t mean your career—you.” She asked a
question of her own. “Just think about it. Would it have been challenging? Were
you excited to play the character? Or was it the fat paycheck and the possible
bump to your career that appealed to you?”
    Ian listened to her calm and comforting voice,
questioning his motives for the first time. “I guess, no. It wasn’t about me.”
He sighed. “Everyone believed it would become a huge franchise, and if I would have
gotten the chance to become a part of the craziness, sure, my career would
skyrocket.”
    Victoria didn’t need more. “Then forget about it,” she
said quickly. “Let it go! If it wasn’t important to you, then it wasn’t
important at all.”
    “Easier said than done.”
    “It’s all about perspective,” she continued. “Think
about it this way—a door has been closed, but there could be hundreds more to
open, countless chances to take and explore. Now you’ll be free to choose and
pick a project that is close to your heart, something that will bring you
satisfaction, something to be proud of.” She took a breath and realized how much
easier it was to talk to him when she wasn’t distracted by his blue, enchanting
eyes.
    Ian already felt lighter. Victoria had managed to lift
the weight with a few words spoken over the ocean. “Do you know what I think?”
he asked. “I’m gonna stop paying my shrink and start calling you instead.”
    “You have one!” She faked horror but then laughed.
“Please, don’t. I don’t want to be responsible if you have a nervous breakdown.
I’m not a professional, remember? I can only give you the truth and my honest
opinion.”
    “And that’s all I can ask from you.” It’s all I
want , he thought. 
    “Then we might get along pretty well, but that’s only
if you stop calling at two a.m.,” she teased.
    “I promise,” he vowed. “Your turn now. How’s life?”
    “I almost forgot. Thank you for that letter you sent
to the general manager.”
    “It was nothing,” he said humbly.
    “No, that’s not true. I was promoted right after, and
it’s thanks to you.”
    “It’s not. It’s all you. I told the truth, no more.”
    “If you don’t want to take credit, fine, but I’m
grateful anyway.”
    “I can tell you’re super excited for that new job.”
    “I am. And I’m one step closer to the end game. Do you
remember — ”
    “Yes, your green hotel. I remember,” he said.
    “I’m surprised,” Victoria responded. “You have
probably met hundreds of people since our dinner date. I thought you’d erased
me from your consciousness,” she teased.
    His low laugh made her shiver. “There are some people,
Victoria, whom you can’t shake off, no matter how hard you try. You are one of
them.”
    Shocked, Victoria fell silent.
    “May I call you again?” Ian interrupted the electric
silence with his soft voice.
    Sitting alone in the dark room, a bright smile lit her
face up. “Yes.”
    “Thank you for listening to my ramblings.”
    “You’re welcome. Good night, Ian.”
    “Sweet dreams, Victoria.”
    They will be , she thought, and pressed the red
button on her phone.

Chapter Six
     
    From the ashes of Ian’s contract a friendship had been
born. The whole concept of maintaining any kind of relationship over the phone
was ludicrous, but they managed it really well. At first, Ian hadn’t been
calling very often. Busy life, his career, the countless castings, and reading
scripts got in the way. But he always sought her honest advice when desperation
punched him hard. He valued her opinion and knew that Victoria would never lie
to him, no matter how painful the truth. She had become his true critic.
    In time, their conversations took on a different
course. He felt the need just to hear her voice, to share a laugh with her, to
say good night. They learned each other’s secrets and shared deeply hidden
desires and hopes. And in no time, they became inseparable and important like
the