and followed Serena into the hall. By the time I got there, they were halfway to the front of the building, one of Vonetta’s arms wrapped protectively around Serena’s shoulders.
Chapter 7
Still reeling from my encounter with Vonetta, I turned in the other direction and made my way through the shop area toward the rehearsal hall. I’d never seen that side of Vonetta before, and I wasn’t sure I liked it. Obviously, she wanted to keep me from talking to Serena about Laurence, but why? What did they have to hide, and how long did she think she could keep Serena from talking about it?
She’d piqued my curiosity, but I decided to leave it alone—at least for tonight. Serena would be on guard, and Vonetta would be watching. Besides, it was late and I was tired, and I still hadn’t eaten dinner. Interesting as things were here at the Playhouse, it was time for me to rescue Max and get back to the real world.
When I opened the door to the box office a few minutes later, Max greeted me with a flurry of grateful doggy kisses. That’s both the best and the worst thing about dogs. Whether you go outside to check the mail or leave for an entire day, they’re always excited to see you when you get back. But they can also dish out guilt. I think it’s the expectation and trust in those big, sad, puppy dog eyes that does it. The How could you leave me? look they give as you’re closing the door. It gets me every time.
Before Max came to live with me, he’d been the constant companion of a friend who owned a clothing store. When Brandon was murdered, Max became my dog. Alas, unlike his previous owner, I couldn’t take the dog to work with me at the candy store—health regulations don’t allow it—and Max wasn’t happy with the change. His adjustment to long days spent on his own had taken a toll on my wardrobe and my apartment.
Tonight, as he slathered me with kisses and wagged his nubby tail in excitement, I felt like a jerk for leaving him alone so long. I sat beside him on the floor and indulged in a scratch-fest to make up for my neglect. Max forgave me immediately. He’s far more understanding than most people. But I didn’t get up right away. I had a lot to make up for.
I think Max would have indulged me for hours if we hadn’t been interrupted by the sound of strident voices coming our way. Max got to his feet and tilted his head to listen. Even before I could make out what they were saying, I could tell that another situation had exploded.
What was going on around here?
While Max and I inched out of sight, Laurence Nichols strode into the lobby. Vonetta followed close on his heels. Her voice was low, but her anger was unmistakable. “I mean it, Laurence. Get the hell out of my theater.”
Ooo-kay. That was a switch.
Intrigued by Vonetta’s sudden change of heart, I nudged Max further into the darkened box office. This abrupt about-face must have something to do with Serena. Naturally, that made my curiosity shift into high gear.
Laurence glanced over his shoulder, a thin smile on his handsome face. “That’s a helluva thing to say, Vonetta. Especially since you practically begged me to take this job.”
“That was then. This is now.”
Laurence’s smile grew a bit wider. Unlike Vonetta, who looked angry enough to hurt someone, Laurence seemed to be enjoying himself. “You’re hysterical, Vonetta. You’re not thinking clearly.”
“I’m thinking clearly for the first time in years . There’s nothing further to discuss, Laurence. You’re a despicable man. You don’t care who you hurt, and I don’t work that way. You’re through here. I’ll find another musical director.”
He shifted his whole body to face her. That charming smile still stretched across his face, but the expression in his eyes had turned to ice. “Don’t be a fool. How easy do you think it will be to find someone Alexander Pastorelli will be willing to work with? Especially on such short notice.”
“I’ll take
Chapter 7
Still reeling from my encounter with Vonetta, I turned in the other direction and made my way through the shop area toward the rehearsal hall. I’d never seen that side of Vonetta before, and I wasn’t sure I liked it. Obviously, she wanted to keep me from talking to Serena about Laurence, but why? What did they have to hide, and how long did she think she could keep Serena from talking about it?
She’d piqued my curiosity, but I decided to leave it alone—at least for tonight. Serena would be on guard, and Vonetta would be watching. Besides, it was late and I was tired, and I still hadn’t eaten dinner. Interesting as things were here at the Playhouse, it was time for me to rescue Max and get back to the real world.
When I opened the door to the box office a few minutes later, Max greeted me with a flurry of grateful doggy kisses. That’s both the best and the worst thing about dogs. Whether you go outside to check the mail or leave for an entire day, they’re always excited to see you when you get back. But they can also dish out guilt. I think it’s the expectation and trust in those big, sad, puppy dog eyes that does it. The How could you leave me? look they give as you’re closing the door. It gets me every time.
Before Max came to live with me, he’d been the constant companion of a friend who owned a clothing store. When Brandon was murdered, Max became my dog. Alas, unlike his previous owner, I couldn’t take the dog to work with me at the candy store—health regulations don’t allow it—and Max wasn’t happy with the change. His adjustment to long days spent on his own had taken a toll on my wardrobe and my apartment.
Tonight, as he slathered me with kisses and wagged his nubby tail in excitement, I felt like a jerk for leaving him alone so long. I sat beside him on the floor and indulged in a scratch-fest to make up for my neglect. Max forgave me immediately. He’s far more understanding than most people. But I didn’t get up right away. I had a lot to make up for.
I think Max would have indulged me for hours if we hadn’t been interrupted by the sound of strident voices coming our way. Max got to his feet and tilted his head to listen. Even before I could make out what they were saying, I could tell that another situation had exploded.
What was going on around here?
While Max and I inched out of sight, Laurence Nichols strode into the lobby. Vonetta followed close on his heels. Her voice was low, but her anger was unmistakable. “I mean it, Laurence. Get the hell out of my theater.”
Ooo-kay. That was a switch.
Intrigued by Vonetta’s sudden change of heart, I nudged Max further into the darkened box office. This abrupt about-face must have something to do with Serena. Naturally, that made my curiosity shift into high gear.
Laurence glanced over his shoulder, a thin smile on his handsome face. “That’s a helluva thing to say, Vonetta. Especially since you practically begged me to take this job.”
“That was then. This is now.”
Laurence’s smile grew a bit wider. Unlike Vonetta, who looked angry enough to hurt someone, Laurence seemed to be enjoying himself. “You’re hysterical, Vonetta. You’re not thinking clearly.”
“I’m thinking clearly for the first time in years . There’s nothing further to discuss, Laurence. You’re a despicable man. You don’t care who you hurt, and I don’t work that way. You’re through here. I’ll find another musical director.”
He shifted his whole body to face her. That charming smile still stretched across his face, but the expression in his eyes had turned to ice. “Don’t be a fool. How easy do you think it will be to find someone Alexander Pastorelli will be willing to work with? Especially on such short notice.”
“I’ll take
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