A Midsummer Night's Fling (Stage Kiss Series Book 1) Read Online Free Page B

changed my last name . Especially if he was going to get upset every time anyone asked him about Peter.  
    "I see good genes run in your family." Judith raked her gaze over him, her mouth quirking with pleasure or maybe amusement.
    "You're just in time, Judith." Isabelle ever-so-slightly moved between them. "Max, you're among the first to know: I've asked Judith to be co-artistic director for the company. She'll be overseeing Midsummer for me."
    Max gritted his back teeth, trying to stay standing after that hammering set of blows. A new co-artistic director. A stranger overseeing Midsummer . He knew Isabelle had felt overwhelmed by her workload, but bringing a stranger to oversee half the company seemed a bit extreme. "Does Rita know?"
    "Not yet."
    Judith sailed into the room and settled herself into the spare guest chair. "Max, I do like the direction Rita intends for this Midsummer . The younger cast and everything."
    Isabelle shot her a funny look, opening her mouth in question. Judith, oblivious, continued, "I have some concerns, though, about this Charles girl. Isabelle tells me she's never heard of her."
    "Nicola can do this part, I promise you." It was himself he was worried about. Shit, just seeing Nicola had him so wound up he was practically having a heart attack.  
    But here were the artistic directors giving him an out. He could easily – well, maybe not easily – go to Rita and say Isabelle had put her foot down. And that would be that.  
    So why was he still fighting so hard for Nicola?  
    Because I promised Nicola. And Rita . He cleared his throat and leaned forward. "Rita wants Nicola. What will it take to get you two onboard?"
    "An audition," Judith replied. "I want this girl of yours to read for me. With you and with the actor playing Bottom. If she's any good then we'll see."
    He hissed his breath out. Maybe Judith wouldn't be so difficult to work with? It might annoy Nicola to audition for a part she thought she'd been offered fair and square, but he was counting on Nicola to be the more reasonable party here. He'd convinced Isabelle and this Judith woman as far as he was likely to. "OK."
    "Bring your girl in," Isabelle said. "Tonight. As soon as possible. We need to get Midsummer back on its feet."
    At this dismissal, Max hopped to his own feet so quickly he nearly toppled the chair as he retreated toward the door.
    "By the way," Isabelle said, freezing him in his tracks. "Is your brother coming to opening night?"
    "I don't know."
    "You invited him, didn't you?"
    "I invited all of my family," Max said, smiling while inside he burned. Do you have me in your company because of my talent or my connections? he wanted to ask.  
    But he didn't; he wasn't sure he'd like Isabelle's answer. She'd hired him years ago when no one else would have. The only reason he had a career at all anymore was because of her. He liked to think that was because she respected his talent. He didn't want to know if it was because she'd been angling after his brother the movie star all along.  
    Anyway, Max needed to hustle if he was going to get Nicola in to audition. Tonight. His head ached. Oy . "Judith, nice to meet you, I'll see you tonight. Later, Isabelle."
    Isabelle waved him away with a shooing motion, and Max allowed himself to be thrown out. He had an audition to arrange, after all.
    And an angry ex-girlfriend to deal with once he had arranged the audition, no doubt.  
    ***
    Cassie was half-sprawled on the bed and staring at the front door through which Max had abruptly made his exit. "Man, I didn't know they made them like that in real life."
    "Like what?" Nicola asked.
    "Like a Greek god had babies with a Ken doll. Only better looking. I mean wow ." Cassie gaped at her. "He's Peter Fiesengerke's brother ? You dated Peter Fiesengerke's brother ? You know Peter-fucking-Fiesengerke? The Sexiest Man Alive?"
    Nope, the sexiest man alive just left my apartment . Nicola popped to her feet, fighting to appear nonchalant