Read Sleepless in Savannah for Free Online Page B

am. Listen, Sophie, I have a new business on the side, and I want you to plug it on your show."
    Oh, gracious, what was her sister into this month? "You're not taking the Diva act on the road?"
    A man's teasing voice echoed in the background. "No, but that's not a bad idea."
    "It's a terrible idea; I told you to think about something more reputable. Dancing may be fun now, but as you get older it'll get old, too. Aren't you tired of men gaping at you, thinking you're easy just because you dance?"
    "I'm only twenty-six, not an old lady like you." Lucy was nothing if not a smart aleck. "And I don't think I'll ever get tired of men gaping at me."
    Sophie ignored her sister's barb about her being old. The big three-oh left plenty of time for fun and men, but she had to be responsible, too. The man's husky purr sounded louder, as if he had moved closer to the phone. Surely her sister wouldn't have answered if she were in bed.... "Lucy, who is that guy?"
    "Oh, it's just Elvin; he's helping me dress for the show."
    The nude dancer from the Pleasure Palace? He'd looked like a druggie to Sophie. "Please don't tell me that you and Elvin are involved."
    "No, of course not. We just like to have fun together. You do remember how to have fun, don't you, Soph?"
    "Of course I do." Sophie pinched her eyes together and bit her tongue. Her big-sister lectures would fall on deaf ears. "Deseree said something about you adding new moves to the act. You're not stripping, are you?"
    Lucy's laughter bubbled over the line. "No, Soph, but if I did, it wouldn't be a big deal."
    "Yes, it would; you're not going to strip."
    "Okay, then I need to make my new business work."
    Lucy logic. "All right, tell me about this new venture or whatever it is."
    "Well, last week I went to this thing called a Sleepover party and I decided to sell their products. My gosh, the discounts I get on the merchandise will make it worthwhile."
    A car horn blasted, drowning out half of Lucy's words, and Sophie skimmed the shoulder, trying to avoid hitting the Land Rover. Lucy had said something about sleeping over at a party? "What are you talking about?"
    "It's like selling Tupperware. You have home parties and demonstrate the items for sale. It's so much fun!"
    "You're going to sell Tupperware?" Now, that she had to see.
    "No, it's not Tupperware. It's gifts for singles."
    Hmm, like aromatherapy products, CDs?
    "Romantic gifts," Lucy continued.
    "Like cards and bubble bath?"
    "Er, yeah, we have cards and bubble bath and candles, among other things to enhance a relationship."
    "Well, that does sound like it might work for the show."
    "I know! Think of the great advertising."
    "But why come here?"
    "Because two of the girls here have the local market cornered, and you're featuring the singles series. It'll be the perfect way for me to launch into new territory."
    Sophie steered into the airport parking lot, then hopped out, holding the phone to her ear with her shoulder as she grabbed her suitcase. Static cut in, clogging the connection just as a plane took off with a roar over her head. "I'm losing you, Lucy, but you can come, on one condition."
    "I knew you'd agree."
    "Only if you promise not to mention the Diva act, or that I was ever a part of it."
    Lucy whistled over the phone. "Are you sure you don't want to let people know? You were a star in Vegas, Soph. Fans still remember you here."
    Exactly what she wanted to avoid. "I'm positive. I have a new career now. If the press gets wind of my past life, it could ruin things for me."
    "All right," Lucy agreed. "My lips are sealed."
    "Good, you'd better keep them that way." Sophie hung up, checked her watch, and jogged toward the terminal. If she didn't rush she'd miss her plane.
    Not that she was anxious to be with Rory, but she couldn't miss the date or her TV version of her romantic getaway wouldn't air. Then Lance Summers would never know what he had missed.
    And she definitely intended to show him what a wonderful time she