Read Online Easy on the Eyes by Jane Porter - Free Book Online Page A

assistant.
    “Liv,” Christie says, “Tiana is the best news reporter in this business, and I know she’d be interested in hearing more about
     Ashley’s involvement with YouthAIDS. I know Ashley’s been the global ambassador since 2002, but I don’t think the rest of
     the world knows how active Ashley’s been with them. Maybe you can fill Tiana in?”
    I look at Christie, and my heart just brims over. This is why I love the girl. She’s always thinking of others, always looking
     out for me. In a world that can be callous and self-absorbed, Christie is a breath of fresh air. She’s sunny and strong. She’s
     creative and brave, and she’s the first one to open a door, especially if it’s for another woman, and for Christie I would
     do anything. For Christie I’d drive three hours in traffic just to watch her youngest dance for three minutes.
    Two hours later, the shower winds down and Christie walks me to the lobby. “So, what’s this about your job? I haven’t been
     able to stop thinking about it since you told me. What’s going on?”
    “I don’t know. It all just happened Thursday. Glenn pulled me into his office to talk about adding Shelby as a co-host to
     my show. He said my ratings are down, hers are up, and they’re hoping she can lift my ratings.”
    Christie winces. “Ouch.”
    “Yeah, I know.”
    “Is she good? Would she make a good co-host?”
    I shrug. “She’s dedicated. She’s already had her eyes done.”
    “How old is she?”
    “Twenty-eight.”
    “Is that scary, or what?” Christie just shakes her head in disgust. “The industry’s soulless.”
    “Unfortunately, the execs are proud of her for doing it. I think it’s what they want me to do.”
    Understanding dawns. “They’re scaring you into getting a face-lift.”
    “I know this happens,” I say as we step outside to give my valet slip to the attendant, “but I just didn’t expect it to happen
     to me.”
    We watch the valet run off to get my car. “I think that’s the problem,” she says after a moment. “We know intellectually we’ll
     age, but we’re still surprised when it happens to us.”
    That’s for sure. I honestly never thought I’d get old. My mother was thirty-eight when she died— my age now— and she’s forever
     frozen in my mind as young, laughing, beautiful. Most children find their mothers beautiful, but my mom was a true beauty
     queen who took second place at the international competition behind Miss Venezuela. My mother stopped men in their tracks.
     But to me, she was always my mother, a mother who smiled, laughed, and chased us about the garden.
    “How’s Trevor?” Christie asks as my car appears.
    I look at her, but I’m still thinking about my mom and family, and my eyes fill with tears.
    Christie sees, and she puts an arm around me. “Oh, hon, no. What’s wrong?”
    I shake my head. “All this talk about thirty-eight being old hits a little close to home. My mom was my age when she died—
     ” I break off, look away, bite my lip to get control. “And the studio is making me feel old, but thirty-eight isn’t old. Thirty-eight
     is still just a beginning.”
    Christie’s arm squeezes my shoulders. “Do you want to come to my house for dinner tonight? I’ve got nothing planned. Simon’s
     working.”
    “I have more events. Two more, to be precise.” I reach up to hug her back. “But thank you. I appreciate the offer.”
    She looks at me hard. “You need fewer appearances and more downtime. You need a personal life, someone to love you. A good
     someone. Someone who would appreciate you. Not these ridiculous men you date— ”
    “Oh, Christie.”
    “It’s true.” Her eyes blaze blue fire. “You want love, need love, but the men you date are the ones you’ll never love, and
     they’ll never love you back.”
    “But at least this way if they die, I won’t mind,” I joke.
    “Tiana Irene Tomlinson!”
    “I’m kidding,” I answer, giving her a hug and