Read Online Diva Las Vegas by Eileen Davidson - Free Book Online

over for dinner tonight?” I didn’t want to fill him in on everything over the phone.
    “What about Sarah? You think she’s ready to—”
    I stopped him. “She’s going to a friend’s for dinner. And my mom has plans. I’ll see you tonight. Anything special you want?”
    “Surprise me.”
    “You got it.”
    I changed my clothes and headed out the door. Once in the elevator I had to lean against the back wall. What a day! Manipulating a makeup artist for info, almost getting busted in Barry’s room and two seconds from being late for work. That was enough excitement to last me a while.

    I got back in my car and headed south on the Santa Monica Freeway. I couldn’t help thinking I should get a new car. I was weird about my vehicles. They sort of became family members to me and I had a hard time parting with them. But this was getting silly.
    I was driving what I called my kid car, a 1999 Ford Explorer. The car had been in an accident not long ago, but it hadn’t been totaled. The insurance company had footed the bill, and the car had been repaired. Still, it didn’t drive the same or feel the same. And we still didn’t know who had run me off the road, although Jakes suspected it might be my ex, Randy. I didn’t want to believe that the father of my daughter would try to hurt me like that, but . . .
    I drove to Venice and stopped at a small grocery store. It was a throwback to those neighborhood stores that were quickly becoming corporations. It made me feel like I was part of a community. I liked that. I called home to check on Sarah.
    “Sarah’s already at her play date. And I’m going out with Marjorie for dinner.”
    I was happy Mom had made some friends and was actually getting a life of her own. Sarah was doing well in school and had some good friends. I had a great job, not as great as others I’d had, but a job nonetheless, and a relationship I was excited about. Things were looking good.
    I smiled to myself as I walked the aisles of the grocery store. I found myself in the frozen food section first. Pistachio ice cream. Sarah’s favorite. I tossed that into the cart. I was still trying to make up my mind about dinner when I suddenly noticed someone standing in front of me. I stopped short.
    “Hello, Alex.”
    It was Randy.

Chapter 16
    I had several urges.
    The first was to punch him in his still-handsome face.
    The second was to run.
    The third was just to scream.
    I did none of those things.
    He picked up the ice-cream carton from the shopping cart. “Pistachio,” he said. “Still my little girl’s favorite?”
    “You son of a bitch,” I said, finding my voice.
    “Take it easy, Alex.” He put the ice cream back. “I’m just here to talk.”
    “How did you find me?”
    “I followed you from work.”
    “Get away from me, Randy,” I said.
    “What the hell is wrong with you?” he demanded. “I just want to talk.”
    Randy had a way of convincing himself he was the wounded party. How he could muster that kind of indignation, I never knew. It was false to everyone but him.
    “I don’t want you near me.”
    “Hey,” he said, “the last time we saw each other, you punched me in the face.”
    “You tried to kill me, you son of a bitch!”
    “What are you talking about?”
    “I’m talking about the night you chased me on PCH and drove me off the road.”
    “I don’t know what you’re talkin’ about,” he said. “Look, I’ve been tryin’ to get my life together, tryin’ to find a job, stayin’ away from you and Sarah until I was settled. Now I am, and I want to talk about custody.”
    “Custody? Are you crazy, Randy? After you tried to kill me?”
    “I just told you, I didn’t try to kill you!”
    Suddenly, I realized everyone in the store was looking at us. I left the shopping cart where it was and headed for the door.
    Outside, Randy came up from behind and grabbed my arm. I yanked it away and turned on him.
    “If you touch me, I’ll start screaming.”
    He