Transplanting Holly Oakwood Read Online Free Page B

God, she’d never seen so many donuts in her life.
    She remembered a conversation with her sister, the day she’d rung to tell her she was moving to LA. Her sister teased her relentlessly when she admitted she’d joined a gym, but she had to, she explained. She was overweight, had no waist or body tone and was white and pasty. She sure as hell didn’t want to stand out in LA for all the wrong reasons.
    “You won’t stand out, believe me,” her sister laughed.
    “I will, I know I will. Everyone in LA is attractive, tanned and toned.”
    “Everyone who?”
    “Everyone on TV or in the movies,” she replied.
    “Yeah right. Don’t worry, Holly, there’s plenty of fat people in LA too.”
    Her sister was right. LA was full of fat people and they were all staying at the Shangri-La. Now she knew why the place was deserted all week. Everyone stayed in their rooms, recovering from the Sunday donut fests.
     
     

FIVE

    Brittany
    Brittany pedalled furiously, considering Jenna’s question. It should have been easy to answer, but nothing was straightforward these days. She knew she could change things, told herself she wanted to, and yet, did she? Maybe she thrived on the intrigue that came with Warren.
    She stopped cycling and traced the back of her hand across her damp forehead. It was late afternoon and the gym was quiet, but within thirty minutes it would be heaving with young professionals, lining up to show off their perfect bodies.
    “I’m not sure I want him to leave her.”
    “Really?” asked Jenna, looking puzzled. “I don’t understand. Don’t you love him?”
    “I do, sort of. I’m fond of him, and the sex is great.”
    “That’s it?”
    “His power turns me on.”
    “You’ve got to be kidding.” Jenna shook her head in disbelief.
    “And his connections.” She took a sip from her water bottle, then circled her lips with her tongue. “Not to mention his money.”
    “There’s more to life than money.”
    “Easy to say when you don’t have any. I love the way I live when I’m with him.”
    “You do love him then?” Her only female friend, Jenna was a hopeless romantic and Brittany knew Jenna wanted to believe her only motivation was the pursuit of true love.
    “I’ve got the best of both worlds.”
    “What do you mean?”
    “I love my job, I love my apartment, and most of all I love my independence. I need it in case Mr Right comes along. In the meantime Warren spoils me. I couldn’t afford half of what I have on my salary.”
    “Sounds like you don’t really love him.”
    “It’s complicated,” she said, ignoring the tone of sarcasm in Jenna’s voice. “You know how I feel about Guy. He relies on me more and more.” She paused. “I’m sure our friendship will develop into a relationship.”
    “You know it will take him ages, maybe years, to get over his wife,” said Jenna, puffing with exertion.
    “And when he does, I’ll be waiting for him.” There was an unspoken challenge in her eyes, but Jenna stayed silent. “In the meantime I don’t want him to know I’m seeing Warren. Guy’s old fashioned about things like that.”
    Jenna snorted. “Aren’t all men?”
    “I’m trying to keep Warren away from the office. I don’t want my two worlds to collide.”
    “Sounds stressful. Why don’t you finish with Warren and concentrate on Guy?”
    “I’m having too much fun.” She climbed off the bike, and towelled herself lightly. “Warren’s taking me to Palm Springs for the weekend. Want to come to the Beverley Centre? I need a new outfit.”
    Half an hour later, showered and changed, they left the gym and drove to the mall, recharging with an espresso before making their way to one of the centre’s exclusive stores.
    “What do you want?” Jenna asked. “Casual or dressy?”
    “A dress. Something simple and chic.” She flicked through the racks of cocktail dresses, and pulled out an exquisite satin sheath smothered in glittering bugle beads.
    “Oh it’s