Read Riverstar (3) for Free Online

pulled you inside of him, both watching him onscreen and in real life. Over the years Bella had come to the conclusion that this way of portraying deep emotion and intellect through their eyes was a commonality amongst the great actors.
    While Gennie was still shooting the film in Colombia and after Bella had left Oregon last summer, she’d worked with Stefan on a film in Los Angeles. They’d immediately bonded, quickly developing a gentle rapport like brother and sister. Despite often playing angry characters, Stefan was soft spoken and sensitive. He was also a man susceptible to predatory women because he simply couldn’t fathom duplicity or manipulation and more than once had fallen for his female costars.
    “Oh, I’m so happy,” said Bella now, peering into the cupcake box. There were a dozen, in various flavors. “I call the Chocolate Velvet. Actually, I’ll try one now.”
    “Before dinner?” asked Linus, raising his eyebrows as if he disapproved. “How scandalous.”
    “No one gets as excited about cupcakes as Bella,” teased Gennie, her eyes on Stefan. “We might need to find her a support group.”
    Drake appeared from the front room, punching Bella lightly on the arm, before gesturing towards the kitchen. “Come in. As far as the cupcakes go, you best take one now before Bella eats them all.”
    Stefan closed the lid of the box as they all moved toward the kitchen. “Bella might be the only woman in Los Angeles who actually eats.”
    “Yeah,” she said, glaring at Drake. “And that’s a good thing. Right, Stefan?”
    “Absolutely, Bellalicious,” said Stefan.
    Bella stuck her tongue out at Drake. He rolled his eyes.
    “Did anyone bother you?” asked Bella of Genevieve, referring to the paparazzi.
    “It’s weird but I haven’t seen one photographer since we arrived. I don’t think they know we’re filming here,” said Gennie, taking off her baseball cap and letting her shiny brown hair fall loose about her shoulders. “And if the locals recognize us they’re too polite to approach us so far.”
    Bella looked at Gennie. There was no question she was one of the most recognizable women in the world. Bella forgot this sometimes because Gennie was unpretentious and fun, just a regular girl. But it could not be denied that she was, quite simply, stunning. She was tall and slender with eyes the color of iced tea and full lips covering impossibly white, straight teeth. Her skin was fair for a brunette and glowed with health. “I should hate you for being so damn beautiful,” Bella whispered to her as they linked arms and headed toward the large windows in the main sitting room.
    “I’m a mess,” Gennie whispered back. “I can’t figure out how to do my makeup without you.”
    “The river’s below,” said Bella to Gennie and Stefan, pointing out the window. “Is Tiffany Archer here yet?” She turned away from the window and went to warm her legs by the stone fireplace. “They follow her everywhere.”
    “I didn’t see any news people or paparazzi in town. We may have a few days of respite on that but they’ll find us soon enough,” said Gennie, following her to the fireplace. “They always do.”
    “I think you have it worse than I do,” said Stefan with smile. “Must be because you’re a huge movie star and I’m just some two-bit actor from Canada.”
    Gennie laughed. It was a real laugh, too, thought Bella. The kind that came from her chest; she hadn’t heard it for a while. And Stefan was staring at her adoringly. Already? This is the way it was with Genevieve Banks. Everyone fell in love with her eventually.
    Annie had come into the room, looking considerably better than she had that afternoon. Introductions were made and they all settled back into seats around the room.
     “Who’s Tiffany Archer?” asked Drake, picking up the thread of the earlier conversation.
     “Jeez, Drake, do you know anything about my world?” Bella pretended to be annoyed. Did he live