Read Online Prosecco & Paparazzi (The Passport Series Book 1) by Celia Kennedy - Free Book Online Page A

brothers. She can be pretty unfiltered.” I completely skipped over the subject of my crush.
    “Not for the reasons Marian mentioned, I’m quite glad to have a few minutes alone with you. I couldn’t help but notice last night that Brynn was rather cold with you. She’s generally quite sweet, not prone to bursts of anger. Let’s just say that life has been challenging lately, and our commitments have plotted against us. The paparazzi have been particularly annoying. This holiday has been months in the making and was meant to be relaxing. Unfortunately, it has been anything but. I know it shouldn’t matter, but I would rather you have a more pleasant opinion of her. She is quite lovely.”
    Saying the first thing that came to my mind, I said, “Okey doke.” I nudged my skis downhill. He took the hint and followed behind me.
    We skied in silence. I wanted to appear focused on skiing through the fog, but mostly I was caught up in my thoughts. Finally, I decided to seize the moment and came to a stop. He stopped, looking at me curiously.
    “I can appreciate that she’s fed up, and I’m genuinely sorry that I added to the problem. I can’t deny that I enjoyed talking with you the other night. If she’s as wonderful as you say, I’m sure, under different circumstances, I would have enjoyed talking with her, as well. But let’s be honest. Under what normal circumstances would I be sitting around and hanging out with two of the world’s most famous movie stars?”
    “Thanks, Charlotte. If it makes you feel any better, I rarely get invited anywhere for a chat. You think, when you’re watching the Golden Globes or what have you, that we’re enjoying ourselves. Really what’s happening is one bloke walks over to another and says with a smile, “You were fucking terrible in that role.” Or, “They asked me, but I knew the film would tank!” And the women! They’re even more brutal!” he joked. Or at least I thought he was joking.
    Not being satisfied to leave well enough alone, I said, “You know, you both chose a way of life that puts you in the public eye. People are curious, and it’s that curiosity that helps pay for your twelve houses, fancy holidays, and whatever else. You weren’t born royal or wealthy. Don’t you remember imagining how wonderful someone’s life might be?”
    Not knowing what to expect, I was surprised when he answered forthrightly, “You’re right. But then, so is Brynn. If people would be content with a smile or even a hello, it would be fine. The problem is that many of the people and paparazzi we encounter want something from us, and they aren’t particularly concerned with being reasonable or polite. As for you, at the casino, you were persistent but not rude.”
    Inwardly, I felt hypocritical. He hadn’t caught on to the fact that Tiziana had been part of the plan or that I had been searching for him before the night we met.
    “Well, I was a bit rude. To be fair, I can’t imagine how you stand all of it. Everyone wanting your attention. You wouldn’t remember, but a few years back, you and I were at an event at Oxford. You were speaking about taking charge of your life, not waiting for things to happen to you. Anyway, afterwards I was standing about two feet from you. You smiled, but I didn’t know if it was at me. Very deflating to a girl’s ego, I’ll add. If you or Brynn want reassurance, I have enjoyed your company, I know you love your girlfriend, and I never thought you were interested in me.” The last bit rushed out of my mouth and left me embarrassed and breathless.
    I was rewarded by a genuine chuckle. “I must say, your frankness is refreshing. You’re quite right, you know. Too many questionable people, and, undoubtedly, I’ve become jaded. I’ll endeavor to look at people less suspiciously,” he said and then added, “You appear to be quite unique, Charlotte.”
    I was thinking of how to respond when I saw skiers descending. “It looks like we