Second Chances in Chianti (Escape to Tuscany Book 2) T.A. Williams (early reader books .txt) 📖

But, more than that, the idea of appearing alongside Felicity Winter, maybe even co-starring? It sounded like a dream come true, although she had no illusions as to the effect it would inevitably have on her private life. Still, she knew she would say yes if they offered it to her. Maybe this was another second chance to renew her relationship with Hollywood.

Fliss looked pleased. ‘Of course, the decision wouldn’t be mine, but I’d be surprised if they turned you down. I’m sure your comeback would be a major box-office draw.’ She reached across, caught hold of Alice’s hand and gave it a reassuring squeeze. ‘No rush. Just think about it. I’m off to Rome later in the week for a couple of days of meetings and then a few days’ holiday. I won’t be back in LA until early next week. You have my phone number. Think it over and if you want me to put your name forward, just give me a call.’ She leant over and gave Alice a peck on the cheek. ‘I’d really enjoy working with you, Alice.’

Alice was woken by her phone at seven o’clock next morning. As she picked it up, she was surprised to see it was Layla, presumably back in LA, where it was late at night.

‘Hi, Layla, all well?’

‘Hi, Alice, I hope I didn’t wake you too early. I’m fine, thanks, but I wanted to let you know what’s been happening. Millie’s been telling me about the way your David just took off for Hollywood and I’m appalled. What a way to behave! And to you of all people!’

‘It’s okay, I’m over it. In fact, he probably did me a favour. But has something happened?’

‘Nothing bad, but I’ve just had dinner with Millie and while we were sitting there, David appeared. I hadn’t seen him since getting back to LA, but he’d obviously been keeping tabs on me.’

‘What? Stalking you?’

‘Maybe not quite as sinister as that, but he’d been asking around to find out where I would be.’

‘And what did he want?’

‘It was all a bit weird, really. He just pitched up and hung about by our table, presumably waiting for an invitation to join us and when it didn’t come – Millie and I were in the middle of some personal stuff – he just stood there like a lemon and mooched about until I sent him packing.’

‘And he didn’t say what he wanted?’

She heard a momentary hesitation on the part of Layla. ‘According to Millie, he might have been after me.’

With Millie’s help, Alice had already worked this out for herself, but she was delighted to hear that Layla didn’t reciprocate his feelings. She gave an annoyed hiss. ‘What a prat.’

‘Quite… Anyway, look Alice, I wouldn’t want you to think I’ve been responsible in any way for encouraging him – apart from giving him the names of a few agents and TV execs, while we were still at the villa, to help with his career. The last I saw of him was at the airport, when I texted you about it. I was in first class and he was at the rear of the aircraft, so I didn’t even see him when we got to LAX. If I was in any way responsible for raising his hopes, I’m truly sorry – not to him, but to you. My friendship with you is far too precious to risk for the sake of some man. Please believe me that there isn’t anything, there never was anything, and there certainly won’t be anything between David and me at any time in the future.’

Alice thanked her warmly and did her best to reassure her that she didn’t blame her in the slightest. After chatting a bit longer, Alice rang off and lay back in bed as she digested this information. On the one hand, she was pleased – and relieved – to know that her friend Layla hadn’t behaved unscrupulously, but it also just confirmed what a moron her supposedly intelligent boyfriend had become. They had had no contact since the note he had left on her pillow, and that was fine by her. The shock of his sudden departure had gradually worn off and she knew she wanted nothing more to do with him. Besides, now there was Matt… hopefully.

Half an hour later she threw some clothes into the washing machine and sat down to check her messages over breakfast. There were two of them and her eyes were immediately drawn to the first. It was an email from Matt.

Hi Alice. Feel like a (longish) walk? I’ve just come back from a couple of days in London and I need some fresh air. Matt

She replied immediately and they arranged to meet at ten. Feeling buoyed by the prospect of seeing him again, she then checked a text message that must have come in while she was in the shower and saw that it was from Millie, back in Hollywood. It repeated the events at the restaurant that Layla had outlined and ended with the words:

It was awfully embarrassing and I just wanted you to know that it’s quite clear Layla had nothing to do with making David decide to come over to the States. She said she’d give you a call to apologise but, as far as I can see, she has nothing to apologise for. Hope you’ve hooked up with your mystery man. I want all the juicy details.

Mil

xx

Alice sent her a cheerful, friendly reply, but didn’t go into too much detail as to how things were going with Matt – mainly because she didn’t know herself.

Chapter 21

At ten o’clock, after spending far too long in the bathroom getting ready for what might be just a walk in the country, she put on shorts and trainers and drove up to Matt’s house, doing her best to dominate the rising sense of excitement at the thought of seeing him again. She had toyed with the idea of going up on