Playing the Game Read Online Free PDF

with flowers and miniature golf clubs. Standing at a spot in the far corner of the room, near the kitchen entrance, she lifted a Baccarat crystal champagne flute from a passing waiter’s tray. She joined a group of newer patrons, to welcome them, when she saw Barry Dennis arrive.
    A crowd immediately surrounded him in the middle of the room. She couldn’t resist watching him. The quirky smile never left his face, except to be interrupted by a hearty laugh or a witty comment for his fans’ amusement. Roxanne admired the way he handled people. It was a talent she knew well and could appreciate far more than his ability to shoot a basketball.
    When she caught his eye, she smiled and nodded at him. When he didn’t smile in return she knew she was in trouble. He must still think she was a married woman, a wicked married woman. Or worse, maybe he’d read about her in the paper and thought her a greedy murderer. It was time for her to seriously consider how she was going to convince this man to give her an interview. An explanation was in order, she knew, as she twirled the champagne flute between two fingers.
    Barry continued to entertain the crowd of people. He looked princely standing above the group in his dark suit and tie. She watched as the jacket tightened across his shoulders when he folded his arms across his massive chest. God damn, but there was something about him, she thought. He was not the only handsome man in the room. But he was the only man in the room who fascinated her.
    Turning to a group of people near her to join in their conversation, she knew she was only postponing the inevitable confrontation with Barry. But this was an event and she had a job to do first. Eventually she would get to Barry and then she would somehow convince him to do the interview and be damned with what he thought of her. If he was going to refuse to give her an interview, she would see to it that it was a tough decision.
    In the meantime, she would see to it that everyone enjoyed themselves. After all, they were paying a lot of money to play in this tournament. It was her role to encourage them to find it in their hearts to donate generously to Children’s Mercy Hospital.
    Laura joined her as she stood near the bar surveying the crowd. “Not a bad evening. Barry Dennis sure is a big attraction,” Laura said, waving her hand in the man’s direction.
    Roxanne checked her Rolex and took a deep breath. “He certainly is.” The party would be winding down soon.
    “I noticed you haven’t spoken to him all night,” Laura prompted. “And I know you worked hard to charm the wallets out of the pants and purses of everyone else tonight.”
    Roxanne laughed. “Just doing my job.” It was time she talked to Barry. She’d been chicken long enough. “But you’re right. I’m going to remedy that right now.” She zeroed her gaze in on him and walked toward him, but she was stopped before she got there.
    “I realize you don’t know me, but I’d like to introduce myself. I’m Kevin Moroni, sports writer with the Boston Globe.” He put out his hand. “I know who you are. In fact, didn’t I read somewhere in the paper that you were recently widowed?”
    The reporter’s freckled face and youthful appearance gave him a Mr. Nice Guy look. She imagined he did very well interviewing people
    “Yes, I bet you did—along with all kinds of other juicy insinuations I’m sure. Let me guess, you would like to know if any of it is true? Are you going to ask me if I murdered my husband, Mr. Moroni?” Never allowing her eyes to waver from his, she knew she easily outdid the man in the bold approach department and waited for his next move.
    “No, no. Of course not,” he said, his face reddening.
    “Of course not. Then what exactly is it you want to know, Kevin?” She leaned the slightest bit closer. He seemed to stand a little taller.
    “I understand you’re running the show here?”
    “That depends.” She waited for his response.