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to form his own production company. A few powerful jobs later he was head of the studio. She was impressed.
    Extending a delicate foot, she admired the pearly glow of the polish on her pedicured toenails. Howard Soloman. One of Mannon’s best friends. Funny, vulgar, street-smart Howard.
    She shivered uncomfortably. Even thinking about going to bed with Howard was crazy; she had known him for too many years – and all four of his wives, including Poppy, the present one. And yet, last night at the Fields’ party, Howard and she got to talking – quietly, in a corner, with no one else around – and something had happened. He understood her. He understood her career needs. And sometimes that could be the most important part of any relationship.

Chapter Five
    Springsteen belted, and Jade felt good. She had unpacked three boxes and already the apartment seemed more like home. The doorbell buzzed and she peered through the spy-hole – an old New York habit. ‘Who is it?’ she called out.
    ‘Pizza.’
    ‘I didn’t order any.’
    ‘You’ve always got an order of pizza on the way.’
    ‘Corey!’ She flung open the door. ‘What a sneak! You told me you couldn’t get here until next week.’
    ‘For you, sis, I worked magic.’
    He placed the box of pizza on the floor and hugged his sister. There was no family resemblance. Corey was shorter than Jade, and several years younger. He was pleasant looking, with uniform features and none of his sister’s mesmerizing charisma.
    ‘This is so great!’ she exclaimed.
    ‘Me or the pizza?’
    ‘The pizza, what else? Let’s eat. I’m starving! It’s double mushroom, I hope?’
    ‘And cheese and bologna and meatballs and peppers. Does that suit you?’
    ‘Oh, Corey, baby – you suit me. It’s fantastic to see your silly smiling face.’
    He grinned. ‘Likewise, pretty sis. It’s been too long.’
    ‘I know.’
    He picked up the box of pizza. ‘Am I coming in?’ he asked jokingly. ‘Or are we eating out in the hall?’
    ‘Sorry! C’mon. In. Now. Food. And all the news. Right?’
    ‘You got it.’ He followed her into the ultra-modern kitchen and placed the box on a counter top.
    Jade reached for plates and a knife. ‘How’s Marita and the Johnson heir?’
    Corey looked around. ‘This is a really nice place,’ he said admiringly.
    ‘Better than my rabbit hole in New York, huh?’ she teased.
    ‘Bigger.’
    ‘What do you want to drink? Shall we live dangerously and open a bottle of wine?’
    He consulted his watch. ‘It’s only twelve-thirty.’
    ‘Y’know, sometimes I think you never moved to the big city.’
    He glanced out of the window. ‘Sometimes I wish I hadn’t.’ Turning towards her he added, ‘Have you spoken to Mom and Dad lately?’
    She handed him a bottle of white wine and an opener. ‘I’m going to call tomorrow. I always call on Sunday. If I change the routine they get panic-stricken and think God knows what. Why?’ her tone became anxious. ‘There’s nothing wrong, is there?’
    He wrestled with the wine. ‘They’re fine. I spoke to Mom yesterday.’
    ‘Good.’ She busied herself with dividing the pizza into two huge pieces.
    Uncomfortably he said, ‘It’s just that I figured if you’d spoken to them you would’ve heard.’
    She fixed him with a sharp look. He had something to say and she wasn’t sure she wanted to hear it. ‘What’s on your mind?’
    ‘Marita and I split up.’
    ‘Oh, shit!’
    Shrugging defensively he said, ‘It’s no big deal.’
    ‘Yes it is,’ she replied grimly. ‘You have a child. That makes it a very big deal.’
    He glared. ‘No lectures. Not unless you want me to talk about your situation.’
    ‘I’m out of my situation,’ she said pointedly, a determined set to her jaw.
    Sensing a weakness he pounced. ‘You’ve wasted six years of your life with a married guy, so if you’re planning to give me advice I’m not interested.’
    Anger filtered across her face. ‘Don’t get