Read Past Regrets: Love and Friendship, Book 2 for Free Online Page B

you meet two roadies? They’ve worked with French Letters ,” Christina said, excitement making her bounce around like a kid. The motion set her multitude of bracelets jingling.
    “Did they say how long they were back in Auckland before they head off again?” she asked in an attempt at casual.
    Christina and Maggie both stared at her. “Don’t you know?”
    “We’re getting a divorce. It’s none of my business,” Julia said.
    “He doesn’t want a divorce,” Maggie said. “I think he’s cute.”
    “Connor, your wife is lusting after my husband,” Julia shouted.
    Maggie clicked her fingers in Julia’s face, her satisfaction veering close to smugness. “So you admit he’s yours. I thought as much.” She sobered. “Was he the father—?”
    “I don’t want to talk about that,” Julia snarled, her teeth bared in a heart-pounding flash of rage. “And if you tell him I’ll never speak to you again.”
    Maggie’s humor faded and she backed away, her hands held up in a gesture of surrender. “Julia, I’d never do that to you. I’m sorry I mentioned it. It was a bad joke. I didn’t mean to upset you.”
    Anguish filled Julia then, the feelings she’d tried to stuff in the pockets of her mind jumping front and center. The fury at Ryan, at herself for the loss of their child. The accursed guilt that never seemed to go away. Why had Ryan crashed back into her life? She’d started getting herself back together, and now that he’d appeared every bad memory seemed brand new again. She sucked in a breath, battling the need to blubber. God, she was turning into a crybaby. Her hands clenched the clipboard like a lifeline.
    She wondered how long Ryan was back for this time. French Letters was doing well on the charts. Surely it wouldn’t be too long before they headed off on tour and her life could return to normal.
    Julia’s glance hit the stage and landed on Ryan and Caleb. Or as normal as it could be for the manager of an ailing strip club.

Chapter Four
    “I need to check in with Susan and get the staff meeting underway.” Julia strode away from Maggie.
    Have you no shame, woman? Stop looking at his ass .
    The vibes from her skeleton staff weren’t encouraging, but she pinned on a friendly smile. “Thank you for coming,” she said, studying the faces of the women clustered around the bar. “I’ve gone over the books and thought about our situation, and this is what I propose. We’ll close for two weeks while we do a facelift on the place.” She ran through the rest of her plans for the club. “While the club is shut I’ll need help with painting and some of the other stuff. I’ll also do rehearsals for stripping and burlesque. Before you go tonight let me know if you want to keep working here or if you intend to hand in your notice. Any questions?”
    “What about pay?” one woman asked.
    “Those who come in to help and turn up for rehearsals will receive their regular pay.”
    “I can’t survive without my tips,” the woman said.
    “From what I saw last night, tips are few and far between,” Julia said briskly. “I’ll pay your base wage. Once we open again I hope we’ll bring in more punters, and everyone will receive tips.”
    “A facelift is all very well.” The woman’s weary features held challenge. The heavy lines fanning from the corner of her eyes and mouth hinted at a hard life. Her voice rasped with the undertones of a heavy smoker. “But why the hell should we trust you? You’re young. A secretary, I hear. What the hell do you know about running a strip club?”
    Julia met the woman’s gaze and understood she’d need to prove herself, to respond to the opposition. Wheeling about, she caught Ryan staring. A ripple of awareness shot the length of her body, irritating the hell out of her. She didn’t feel anything for the rat. She. Did. Not.
    She stalked over to him. “Cue some music for me, please. Can you manage that?” Her voice was icy and held distinct