Read What the Lightning Sees: Part One for Free Online

question, full of assumptions. For your information no, Gay Dave is our mutual friend, who I met in college. And before you ask, I’ve not fucked him either.”
    Haven started laughing, and I couldn’t help but smile.
    “So tell me, have I got it so wrong about you?” she asked.
    “I have no idea who, in that twisted little head of yours, I’m supposed to be. All I know is that you haven’t known me long enough to know anything about me.”
    “So tell me.”
    “I’m the one asking the questions.” I wasn’t about to start spilling my life story to her, but I liked that she’d asked.
    “Not so far,” she said.
    “Patience is a virtue, haven’t you heard?”
    “I don’t have any. Haven’t you heard?” she asked me back.
    “You don’t have any virtues?” What did she mean?
    She shrugged. “You’ll hear them gossiping, if you haven’t already.”
    “In case you haven’t noticed, I haven’t been in the office much.”
    “You’ll see,” she said.
    “What? I’ll see you being bitchy to everyone?”
    She sighed. “I don’t know. I don’t think so. Anyway, there’s not many people there that think I have any virtues.”
    “Does that bother you?” It sounded like it did.
    “Is that an official question?” she asked.
    I nodded.
    She shrugged. “Sometimes.” It seemed like it upset her, which I didn’t understand. Why didn’t she make more of an effort to be likeable if it bothered her?
    “Harry! Get over here,” Sandy screamed from across the set. She was waving and bouncing up and down next to some people huddled over a screen.
    I made my way across to her and she clasped her arms around my waist. I hoped she was just being friendly.
    “What do you think?” She pointed to the monitor and the scene that they’d been shooting was playing out. “I’m so nervous! I hope I’m not going to sink this ship.”
    “You’re amazing, doll. A very talented lady,” one of the men dressed in black said to her. She grinned up at me.
    “I’m sure you’re doing great,” I reassured her. “Seems great.”
    I glanced back at Haven. She was watching. I held her gaze for longer than I meant to. That girl was going to be trouble for me.
    “Do you have a break now? You, me and Haven could have coffee.”
    “Can’t it just be you and me? I don’t think she likes me.”
    “What do you mean? She’s a total fan. She told me that she’s really nervous about meeting you. She was playing your songs in the car on the drive up here. It’s been driving me insane.”
    “She has?” She giggled.
    I was going to hell.
    “Sure. You’ll really like her when you get to know her.”
    A special place in hell reserved only for the biggest liars.
    Sandy didn’t let go of me as we made our way back to Haven.
    “Come on Haven, let’s go and grab ourselves some coffee.” I winked at her and was sure I saw a trace of pink in her cheeks.
    “So, how is your first day going?” Haven asked Sandy as we found a table toward the back of the stage and coffees magically appeared in front of us. Haven pulled out a Diet Coke from her bag.
    “Well, I have nothing to compare it to. I’m just trying to enjoy myself and leave it to all the talented cast and crew to make me look good.”
    “Is this the first film offer you’ve had?”
    Jesus couldn’t she have phrased that a little differently? Sandy could be prickly, Haven needed to tread lightly. I could see the pout start to form around Sandy’s lips.
    “She meant the first one you’ve had a chance to consider properly. Now that you’re established in your singing career.”
    Haven’s eyes flicked to me, she looked slightly frightened and started to nod. “Yes, exactly. I mean, you must get tons of offers. What made you accept this one?”
    Sandy relaxed her shoulders. “Well I adore the director. Love Etcetera, his film before this one, is one of my favorite films, and he told me when he read the script he couldn’t see anyone but me in the role. He said