Page 22 of Out of the Gold

The thought of being able to finally sleep in makes me feel better than I have since we got to Amalfi. I’ll have to work out, of course, but at least it won’t be until eight rather than four in the morning. “I’m looking forward to it.”

“Me too. I’ve heard the beach is to die for, and the women are”—he darts a look at Melody—“Italian.”

“Lame, man. The women are fucking hot,” I correct him.

He waves his pen. “Yeah, well. True.” A few more clicks follow his scribbles. “Well, it promises to be a good day tomorrow. Are you joining us, Melody?”

The woman working on my leggings pauses for a moment. “I don’t think so.”

Her words give me a sense of relief. No, not relief. I refuse to name the emotion.

Thomas picks up the chatter. “We’re meeting at ten at the docks if you change your mind.” He turns to me. “Now, Chase, I have it from Tina in makeup that Susan from Noble’s office mentioned a new project that Stephen Janus is going to be starting soon.”

I sort through the barrage of names, then focus my attention back on my personal assistant. “What’s Stephen up to?”

Thomas’s face lights up with knowledge he has good gossip. He rubs his tight abdomen—although it’s not as tight as mine. Nor fueled with so much clean eating. I grimace.

“Mr. Janus picked up a script for a brand-new sci-fi epic. Rumor mill has it the movies will be better thanStar WarsandStar Trekcombined.”

My eyebrows rise. “That’s some boasting going on.” I chuckle.

“Right? But if anyone can live up to the hype, it’s him. Want me to contact Sam to get your name put in for the lead? I can see you now in some futuristic outfit, green screening against an army of bad guys.” He grins.

All air whooshes out of my body.

At my leg, Melody’s needle pulls back.

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