Free Paradise By The Rifle Sights (Greatest Hits romantic mysteries book #5) (Greatest Hits Mysteries) by Leslie Langtry Page A

because the cameramen were embarrassing in public. They all looked like homeless men dragged off the streets, handed a camera, and given an assignment. And they filmed everything from every angle possible. And I mean every angle possible. It was difficult to ignore them.
    After we ordered, I decided to make another attempt to get to know these women. It wasn't their fault they only had seconds with me at the pool. They deserved the benefit of the doubt.
    " So, Leila, tell me a little about yourself." I asked, hoping she'd go into a monologue about her work with orphans or something like that. This was an opportunity to tell the world that she was a real person.
    Instead, she treated it like an interview for a gig as a Playboy centerfold.
    " I'm a thirty-six double D," she began. "I like puppies and rainbows and my favorite movie is Titanic. " She ended with an ear-splitting grin.
    " No," I said, trying to give her one more chance. "I mean, who are you really? What are your interests?" Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Cindee trying hard not to laugh. I was really in danger of liking her.
    Leila struggled with an answer. She kept cocking her head to the side and stammering. Finally, she gave up. "What is the right answer?" she asked.
    I shook my head. "There is no right answer," I said gently. "Just tell me what you're passionate about." I meant, does she fight for animal rights, or is she interested in women's rights.
    What I got was, "I'm passionate about you, Paris." Her eyes were huge, and she was licking her lips.
    I sighed and turned to Bridget, who was once again, smiling silently. "How about you, Bridget?"
    " Don't listen to Leila," she said. "She's brain-dead from years on the pageant circuit."
    " You can talk!" I sputtered.
    Bridget giggled. "Of course I can talk. What are you, stupid?"
    I suddenly didn 't want to talk to Bridget anymore. Unfortunately, she wanted to talk to me.
    " I have goals in life," she continued. "I want to pursue a professional career. Not like that." She pointed at Leila, who actually hissed at her—something I didn't think women actually did.
    " Okay," I said slowly, "what do you do?"
    Bridget grinned as if she 'd just one some sort of challenge. "I want to be a porn actress."
    I didn 't say anything for a moment. This woman went from telling me I was stupid, to informing me her biggest dream was to have sex with men (or possibly women) on camera.
    I turned to Cindee. "Why are you here?" I asked.
    " I believe I told you that already." She really looked amazing tonight, in a Chinese, red satin dress that hugged her ample curves. It was hard to take my eyes off of her.
    " Thank God," I said to her. "You're not just trying to make it as a centerfold or in direct-to-video pornography?"
    " No. And I'm starting to wonder why I'm here." She glanced at her two date-mates (who were arguing about who had better tits—their word, not mine). "These women are all nuts. I wish I'd never come here."
    " I'm wondering about that too," I said.
    " Why are you here then?" Cindee asked. "I got the impression you didn't think much of this kind of show."
    I winced. "Can you blame me? You are the only woman here I find interesting."
    Cindee frowned. "I don't really know how to take that. Am I just an exception to what you think is the norm? Or are you trying to cover up for slighting me on the trip here?"
    " Yes. And no. You are an intelligent, thoughtful woman. And I haven't found anyone else like you among the contestants. You're the only one who will do well here."
    " I guess I should be happy about that. It sounds like you think I have a better shot at you than the others."
    I stared at her. Was I wrong about Cindee? Or was she mocking me? Her face was impassive. She wasn't letting me have any clue.
    " Maybe you should pay attention to Leila and Bridget? They are your dates too," Cindee said, and then I knew she was upset.
    " Why does this have to be so difficult?" I asked her. "Why can't you see I'm paying