Valley of the Dolls Read Online Free PDF Page B

another building, one that seemed to be hanging over the river.
    The new apartment was like a movie set. The living room was covered with forty feet of thick white carpet. The bar area was inlaid with Italian marble. There was a long staircase that obviously led to some upstairs rooms. But the breathtaking feature was the view.
    Glass doors opened on to an immense terrace that overlooked the river. He led her out. The cold wind blew the dampness in her face, but the beauty of the scene was overpowering. Bright lacework bridge lights looped the river, and tiny diamonds trickled across the spans. She stared, transfixed, not noticing Allen at all.
    “Shall we drink to the new apartment?” he asked.
    She came out of her reverie to accept an offered Coke.
    “Allen, whose apartment is this?” she said quietly.
    “Mine, if I want it.”
    “But who does it belong to now?”
    “A man named Gino. But he says it’s too big for him. He lives at the Waldorf—likes it better that way.”
    “But Allen, you can’t afford anything like this!”
    “You’d be surprised at what I can afford.” He was wearing that strange smile again.
    She started back inside. “Allen, I think I had better go. I’m very tired . . . and very mixed up.”
    “Anne . . .” He caught her arm. “I’m rich, Anne—very, very rich.”
    She stared at him silently. And suddenly she knew he was telling the truth.
    “I love you, Anne. In the beginning I just couldn’t believe you were going with me all this time and didn’t know.”
    “Know what?”
    “Who I am.”
    “Who are you?”
    “Oh, I’m still Allen Cooper. That’s the only thing you do know about me. My name. Only to you it doesn’t seem to ring any bells. You accepted me as an unsuccessful little insurance salesman.” He grinned. “You don’t know what it’s done to me these past few weeks, hiding you out at inexpensive restaurants, watching you order the least expensive thing on the menu, knowing you were worried about my sales. Anne, no one has ever really cared about me before. At first I thought it was a gag, that you knew and were conning me. Oh, it’s been tried before. That’s why I asked so many questions—where you came from, all about Lawrenceville. Then I had a detective make a check.”
    He saw her eyes narrow and grabbed her hands. “Anne, don’t be angry. You were too perfect to be true. Gino couldn’t believe it. But when the reports came in, when it all turned out to be on the level—the family home, the widowed mother, the aunt and your good New England background—you’re class, Anne, real class. Jesus, when I found out I wanted to send off rockets. I’d been so sure nothing like this could ever happen to me—that someone I worshipped could like me for myself! Can’t you see what that means to me?” He danced her around the room. “You care! You really care! Not for what I have, but for me!”
    She broke away from him and caught her breath. “Allen, how would I know who you were—or about any of this—unless you told me?”
    “I don’t know how you couldn’t know. I was always in the columns. I figured one of your girl friends would tell you. Or certainly Henry Bellamy.”
    “I don’t read the columns, and I have no girl friends except Neely. She only reads Variety. And I never discuss my personal affairs with Mr. Bellamy—or anyone else at the office.”
    “Well, now you can give them a big piece of news. About us!” He took her in his arms and kissed her.
    She stood there limply—then abruptly broke the embrace. God, it had happened again! At his kiss, a surge of revulsion had swept through her.
    He looked at her tenderly. “My sweet little Anne. I know you must be confused.”
    She walked to the mirror and repaired her lipstick. Her hand was trembling. Something was wrong with her. Why should she feel this cold distaste at a man’s kiss? Many girls enjoyed kissing men they didn’t love. It was supposed to be normal. And she liked