Strife: Part Two (The Strife Series Book 2) Read Online Free PDF

get back to reality, to my real life. I didn't come to California to be a hero, I came to further my career, and that's exactly what I need to focus on. Further my career and hopefully find someone to settle down with.
    At thirty-five, and after a long career in the music business, I'm tired of girls just throwing themselves at me. I want to give chase like a man is supposed to. That's part of the reason why I'm so excited about meeting Marie. She's gorgeous, sophisticated, wealthy, and on my same level professionally.
    As I call for the limo to come pick me up, my eyes drift to the empty plates on the dining room table. Then they land on the cash still sitting there, and I feel a pang in my chest. Alexis didn't take the money. To be honest, I kind of thought she would when I wasn't looking. Now I feel bad for thinking that.
    I scoop up the bills and shove them back in my wallet before heading downstairs. Even though I try to psych myself out for the business luncheon, I find that my mind keeps drifting back to Alexis. To the awkward way that her body moved in front of mine when I was trying to teach her to dance. To the sad song that she strummed out on my guitar. To the gorgeous silhouette of her practically naked body on my bed. That last part makes me feel randy, which is completely inappropriate when I'm about to walk into a room full of important people.
    Get it together, Dmitri. Out of sight, out of mind. On to better things. On to Marie Overton.
     
    ***
     
    The luncheon is every bit as hectic as I expected it would be. We're a large group, and so the producer decided to have the event privately catered for on one of the sets. It's a good opportunity to get familiar with everyone before we start filming tomorrow.
    I do my best to be friendly, shaking hands and trying to remember names. All the while, I scan the crowd for Marie, but she's nowhere to be seen. Apparently, no one is too worried about starting without her. We take our seats around a long set of tables that have been pushed together from end to end. The producer and director toast the hopeful success of the movie, and we start eating as if her absence doesn't even matter.
    Finally, after most of the festivities are over, I pull the director aside for some chatty conversation, easing into what I really want to know. “So, Marie didn't show up?”
    “Nah.” He brushes it off with a wave of his hand. “She's worked with a lot of the people here, so she probably didn't think it was necessary.”
    “I see.” I do my best to pretend like it doesn't matter. Inside, I feel kind of shitty. If she didn't think it was necessary, then it most likely also means she isn't particularly interested in meeting me. Definitely not as interested as I was in meeting her.
    “These things aren't mandatory. It's just something we like to do so that people aren't all nervous about meeting everyone on the first day,” he continues.
    I nod and smile, still stuck inside my head. I had hoped to ask her to dinner tonight. With that no longer an option, I'll have to come up with other plans. Either that or I could just chill at the hotel and practice my lines.
    “It's a great idea. I'm glad you guys put it together.” I look across the room at the producer, who is talking to some of my co-stars.
    “I'm glad we were able to hook you for the lead.” He places a hand on my shoulder. “I'm sure you'll do great.”
    “I'll try not to let you down.”
    “You won't.” He shakes his head as if the notion is silly and then walks away from me to continue socializing with everyone else.
    I'm used to being surrounded by strangers, keeping up a happy appearance and trying to give everyone equal attention. Even after all these years, though, it's still kind of draining. By the time the luncheon is over, I just want to go somewhere and unwind. Not back to the hotel. If I go back to the hotel, I'll just brood about how I'm going to have to wait until tomorrow to meet Marie.
    I stand