Free Catch a Falling Star (Second Chances Book 3) by Merry Farmer Page A

with half a dozen starlets and backers at various events last year, along with a headline that read, “Benjamin Paul: The Things I Did For Awards.” Only “Things” was crossed out and replaced with “People” in what looked like red lipstick. There was no point in reading the article itself.
    He closed the magazine and tossed it casually on the table. “Looks like I’ll be calling my lawyer today.”
    “And why would that be?” Ashton asked.
    “To send out cease and desist orders or to cover your busy little ass?” Jett added.
    The waiter returned with coffee and eyes so sharp with interest in the conversation that Ben had the impression he would be sliced to shreds in theater circle gossip before the end of the day.
    “Here you go, Mr. Paul,” the waiter practically whispered. He set the coffee on the table, then rushed back to a spot by the kitchen door where two other waitresses were watching as if a bomb were about to go off.
    Ben made the best outward show of nonchalance that he could as he added cream and sugar to his coffee and took a sip. Even though his stomach turned. And here, only twelve hours ago, he’d been wrapped up in sweaty sheets, making love to a woman who knew how to make fantasies into realities, on paper and in his heart.
    No, not now.
    He finished his sip of coffee, set the mug down, and leveled a no-nonsense glance at Jett across the table. “So I’m the butt of industry jokes for a week or two. We all have to take our turn in the tabloids.”
    “ Stage Professional is not a tabloid.” Ashton reverently picked up the magazine.
    Ben shrugged. “Any press is good press.” He shifted forward in his seat. “We can use this to draw audiences next year when Last Closing Time opens.” Not that he would relish pillorying himself to sell tickets, but if it meant the show could go on… “Now, I’d like to start auditions for the workshop as soon as possible. I’m off to Maine in ten days and won’t be back for a month because of Second Chances , but—”
    Jett held up a hand, stopping him. “Pollard Productions doesn’t want to be associated with anyone who cheats to win.”
    Ben’s throat closed up. He held his breath, staring at Jett’s beady little eyes. “Sorry?”
    “It doesn’t look good for our integrity to continue backing someone who wins major industry awards based on something other than talent.”
    “Well, theatrical talent,” Ashton added with a wink.
    Rage welled up in the place of shock. “I am a damn good director,” Ben whispered, leaning further over the table. “I don’t care what that magazine or any other wants to print saying otherwise. I earned that award. I earned it on merit.”
    “Honey, I don’t think anyone is disputing that.” Ashton’s salacious smirk returned.
    Ben gripped the edge of the table hard enough to crack through it. “The streets of this town are paved with rumors. Are you seriously going to throw away a five-year working relationship that has netted more than this one award, not to mention enough stellar reviews to paper your walls?”
    Jett leaned forward to meet him stare-for-stare. “Rumors have a way of becoming reality. I still haven’t heard you try to deny any of it.”
    Cold sweat broke out on Ben’s back. “My love life is none of your business.”
    “It is when it affects the work.”
    “It hasn’t. It doesn’t. It never will.”
    “You just have an uncanny knack for coaxing voters and critics into your bed, right?”
    Ben could feel the color draining from his face. He’d never had a problem getting sex. Even from ordinary, beautiful romance novelists in a coffee shop. That didn’t make things sordid. Jo had enjoyed herself as much as he did. He hadn’t taken advantage of her. They were adults, and unlike the others, he still couldn’t stop thinking about her, even now.
    “We’ll tell you what.” Jett broke the sizzling tension at the table, taking in a breath and sitting back. “We are still