Falling From Grace Read Online Free

time, I’m babysitting you into sobriety, at least long enough to get you cleaned up and presentable to the people who think you’re too much of a train wreck to insure you.”
    Dani blinked as if he’d slapped her with brass knuckles. “What are you talking about?”
    He exhaled in irritation. “Don’t you even know what’s being said about you in common circles? You’re toxic out there, babe. You went from top of the world, to bottom of the trash bucket in a relatively short amount of time. That’s talent, sweetheart. But even so, there’s someone out there who still believes you have what it takes to be someone other than yesterday’s news. I don’t necessarily agree with them but hey, it’s not my dime.”
    “You’re lying,” she said, paling. “Everyone wants me on their next project.”
    “Really? What kind of offers are banging down your door? How many missed auditions have there been? How many times has your agent said, ‘they went in another direction’ for parts that you thought were a shoe-in? Pull your inflated head out of your ass and start smelling what’s right beneath your nose.” For the first time since walking through that door, Miles caught the vulnerable youth of the girl she’d once been and he found himself softening, if just a little, because hell, he wasn’t a total prick. He drew a deep breath and tried again. “Listen, there’s this director who really wants you to play the part of Hattie in the film adaptation of Falling From Grace and for what it’s worth…I think you’d do the role justice.”
    Dani wiped her eyes and stared up at him. “Really? You’ve read the script?”
    “No, but I’ve read the book and it’s a part that you could play…if you got your shit together. It’s up to you. Get yourself clean and possibly play the role of a lifetime, or keep doing this stupid crap with people who don’t give two shits about you and watch your entire life go down in flames. Your choice.”
    She sniffed back tears and wiped at her eyes, remaining silent, fidgeting with her fingers as she contemplated what he’d told her. “Who is your friend?” she asked in a small voice that betrayed her. Good God, was it even possible that Dani was jealous? Dani looked up, waiting. “I mean, she must be a pretty good friend for you to go to all this trouble.”
    “ Yeah, she is.”
    “Do I know her?”
    “You probably know of her. It’s Lindy Bell.”
    Dani’s eyes widened in recognition as she gaped a little. “You know Lindy Bell? The same Lindy Bell who played Sarasota in the Broadway play, Secrets and Lies?”
    “Yeah…and she’s a good friend, so I’m doing this for her . I want to make sure we’re clear.”
    Her expression soured and she said, “Right, because you hate me. I get it.”
    “I don’t hate you,” he disagreed, but there was probably a thin line he was walking in that regard. “But I sure as hell don’t like you very much, that’s for sure. Do you blame me? You did me dirty and you know it so let’s not try and play the victim. Save your acting skills for the screen because it’s a waste of time on me.”
    “I wasn’t acting with you.”
    Her quiet statement slid like a sharpened razor across his heart and he hated that she still had that effect on him. “Yeah, well, whatever. Are you strong enough to shower?” At her slow nod, he was glad. He needed a moment to regroup. “Good. While you’re showering, I’m going to mix up a protein shake with plenty of electrolytes to replenish what you’ve lost.”
    “I doubt I have what you need t o make a power shake,” she retorted until she saw him grab a bag and start unloading it on the counter in the kitchen. “Oh. I see you came prepared.”
    “I came for a purpose, not for fun times.”
    Her expression dulled and she bit out, “Okay, stop rubbing it in, already. I get it” wincing a little as she changed position. He could only imagine what kind of abuse she’d put her body