Mandy Makes Her Mark Read Online Free PDF Page B

assures me that the staff are at work quite early.”
    â€œBy seven a.m.?”
    â€œThey don’t have to be camera ready,” Mandy said. “Which you of all people ought to know. I’ll go over there myself at 6:30 and drag them into the shower if I have to, and then I’ll turn them over to the team.”
    Tad nodded, and jammed his hands into his pants pockets, not meeting her eyes. “So.”
    â€œSo,” Mandy replied after a moment.
    â€œThanks. I guess. For the, you know. Talk.”
    â€œIt was nothing,” Mandy said, trying to cover up her disappointment—no, this strange feeling must be relief. It truly had apparently been nothing. At least to him.
    â€œI’ll walk you back. To your bungalow.”
    â€œYou don’t have to,” Mandy said. “This isn’t exactly Queens. I’ll be fine.”
    â€œI said I’d walk you.”
    There was an edge to Tad’s voice, and Mandy revised her diagnosis of his emotional condition for the third or fourth time that night. Maybe he was truly okay with the breakup, maybe they hadn’t been on the verge of some weird attraction, but there was definitely something off about the guy.
    And, after all, he was going to be a part of the shoot too. He might not be doing more than standing in the background in a tuxedo, but he still had to be present and at least halfway alert.
    â€œWell, in that case, thank you.”
    They exited through the outdoor patio, winding their way past late-evening diners talking and laughing softly in the candlelight. Watching pairs of lovers sharing intimacies and kisses, Mandy felt wistful. Her carefully cultivated cynicism over her sister’s romantic life wasn’t usually hard to sustain, but there was something about this place…the balmy evening air, the billions of stars overhead, the palm trees swaying gently in the moonlight, who knew…that made her want to believe in the possibility of true love. Even just a little.
    Once they were on the path, they were alone. No other couples strolled past the rose garden and cabana, the tennis courts and the beach. Mandy watched the moon hover above the horizon, a huge yellow orb sending its gentle glow out on the water. Tomorrow, her models would be down on the beach, posing for ads that would send thousands of brides into daydreams of destination weddings, and fantasies of sparkling celebrations to be launched with their attendants dressed in Lark bridesmaid gowns.
    But tonight the beach was empty. There were neat rows of chaises, their cushions stowed for the night, the cabanas neatly closed up. The tiki bar was shuttered; the parasols rolled and stacked.
    â€œLet’s walk on the beach,” Mandy said impulsively.
    â€œNow? After you just ordered the rest of us to bed?” Tad’s tone was only slightly less somber than usual, and Mandy couldn’t tell if he was teasing.
    â€œI haven’t had a vacation in over a year,” Mandy said defensively. “I haven’t gone barefoot in the sand since—since before I came to L.A. The last time I was even in Santa Monica it was to get my car fixed.”
    â€œFine,” Tad said slowly. “It’s kind of a strange time for you to decide to focus on quality of life issues. But yes, I’ll walk on the beach with you.”
    They took their shoes off where the paved walkway ended, leaving them in a neat row. Then Tad held out his hand. Mandy stared at it, confused.
    â€œSo you don’t trip,” he said patiently.
    But when she slipped her hand into his, it was tempting to imagine that the way he closed his fingers around hers meant more than just steadying support as she descended the wooden steps to the beach. She didn’t like him, despite her sister’s accusation—couldn’t stand him, in fact. Still, when she reached the bottom and her toes sunk deliciously into the cool sand, he didn’t let go.
    â€œThis is