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the first limo.
    Nathan strode toward me and wrapped his free arm around my waist. He easily lifted me off my feet and twirled me. “Wow,” he gushed. “When I signed up for this show I was sure hoping the girl would be hot and you are. Doll, you’re smoking.”
    Every alarm signal in my body went off.
    The first time around, Nathan had done exactly the same thing, only I’d thought he’d been sincere. How had he managed to do and say exactly the same thing in the same way? Edward had needed prompting and even then it came off flat, but not Nathan. No, this was just an act for him. Now I knew he was definitely on the show for the money.
    I pasted a smile on my face. “Nice to meet you.”
    He gave a little shake of his head and his longish blond curls shook. He licked his lips and headed toward the door.
    As soon as he’d disappeared through the door, Harris came out to make small talk with me.
    “Cut,” Cheryl called. She took Harris aside and whispered something to him.
    A team of hair and makeup people descended upon me. One stylist was doing something to my hair and the other woman was touching up my face powder. The one doing my makeup was the same woman I’d been trying to place earlier. I studied her while she fluffed me up.
    Suddenly I pictured her in another setting . . . a courtroom.
    My stomach lurched.
    This woman touching up my makeup bore a striking resemblance to Teresa Valens, a woman I had put behind bars five years before.
    “Clear the set!” Cheryl yelled.
    Teresa flitted off.
    Good God. What would Teresa be doing here? And she’d been on the set in San Francisco. My breath caught as I recalled standing on the railing of the bridge and the hand pressing against my back just at the moment when I needed my balance most. Could that accident have been intended for me?
    Before I could process the thought the limousine arrived again, with its second load of passengers.
    Richard, the attorney, stepped out. He wore an ascot and a top hat. I smiled inwardly because he looked like the type of guy my dad would want me to end up with.
    He oozed class. He introduced himself, kissed my hand, and walked into the house. I liked the simple introduction.
    Next was Bruce, the techie geek. He smiled, revealing a slightly crooked front tooth, which reminded me of my first boyfriend in fifth grade. I had trusted him immediately.
    Then out of the limo came Mitch, the real estate investor. He walked with confidence and then read me a cheesy poem from one knee. I laughed and thanked him for the poetry.
    Next out of the limo was Derek; he used a cane and slightly hobbled. He had a military crew cut and I learned the first night that he’d been injured in Afghanistan and had a few bolts in his ankle. He was expected to have a full recovery but it was still early for him, thus the cane.
    Finally, Paul got out of the limo. Unexpectedly my entire body began to shake. I wanted to run into his arms and tell him about Teresa Valens and finally feel like there was something in my life that I didn’t have to go at alone.
    Paul walked over to me and smiled stiffly. He said, “I’m Paul.”
    My breath caught and I felt a pain in my chest as if my heart had just cracked. I fought the tears threatening to spring into my eyes. I wouldn’t give him the satisfaction of seeing me cry. He gripped my hands. “Georgia, you’re shivering.” He released my hands and immediately took off his coat and wrapped it over my shoulders.
    “Here, this will keep you warm.”
    My heart sank. He’d misunderstood me yet again.
    He put his arm around me and led me toward the house.
    “Cut!” Cheryl yelled.

Six
    INT. LIBRARY DAY
    Bruce is looking directly at the camera. Behind him are some nondescript bookshelves and a small low table with a lamp. He is about thirty, wearing a green polo shirt with khaki pants. He has a few days’ stubble on his checks and his hair is slightly long and unkempt.
    CHERYL (O.S.)
    So tell us, Bruce, you’re a