Free Once More With Feeling by Nora Roberts Page A

bill?”
    â€œYeah.”
    She laughed and shook her head. “A fat lot of good it would do you then. Here.” She dug into her bag again and came up with a slip of paper. One side was scrawled on, a list of groceries Julie had given her a few weeks before, but the other side was blank. “What’s your name?” she demanded.
    â€œSam, Sam Rheinhart.”
    â€œHere, Sam Rheinhart,” she said. Dashing off a quick line on the paper, she gave him the autograph. He stared after her, the twenty in one hand and the grocery list in the other, as she rushed off.
    Raven found the glass doors without trouble. Though they were closed, the sounds of the party came clearly through. There were groups of people out back listening to a very loud rock band and drifting around by the pool. She stayed in the shadows. She wore an ankle-length skirt and a dolman-sleeve pullover in a dark plum color with silver metallic threads running through which captured the moonlight. Entering through the library, she gave herself a moment to adjust to the darkness before groping her way to the door.
    There was no one in the hall immediately outside. Pleased with herself, Raven stepped out and gravitated slowly toward the focus of noise.
    â€œWhy, Raven!” It was Carly Devers, a tiny blond fluff of an actress with a little-girl voice and a rapier sharp talent. Though they generally moved in different circles, Raven liked her. “I didn’t know you were here.”
    â€œHi, Carly.” They exchanged obligatory brushes of the cheek. “Congratulations are in order, aren’t they? I heard you were being signed as second lead in
Fantasy.”
    â€œIt’s still in the working stage, but it looks like it. It’s a gem of a part, and of course, working with Steve is
the
thing to do these days.” As she spoke, she gave Raven a piercing look with her baby blue eyes. “You look fabulous,” she said. Raven knew she meant it. “And of course, congratulations are in order for you as well, aren’t they?”
    â€œYes, I’m excited about doing the score.”
    Carly tilted her head, and a smile spread over her face. “I was thinking more about Brand Carstairs than the score, darling.” Raven’s smile faded instantly. “Oops.” Carry’s smile only widened. “Still tender.” There was no malice in her amusement. She linked her arm with Raven’s. “I’d keep your little collaboration very tight this time around, Raven. I’m tempted to make a play for him myself, and I guarantee I’m not alone.”
    â€œWhat happened to Dirk Wagner?” Raven reminded herself to play it light as they drew closer to the laughter and murmurs of the party.
    â€œOld news, darling, do try to keep up.” Carly laughed, a tinkling bell of a sound that Raven could not help but respond to. “Still, I don’t make it a habit to tread on someone else’s territory.”
    â€œNo signs posted, Carly,” Raven said carelessly.
    â€œHmm.”
Carly tossed back a lock of silver-blond hair. A waiter passed by with a tray of glasses, and she neatly plucked off two. “I’ve heard he’s a marvelous lover,” she commented, her eyes bright and direct on Raven’s.
    Raven returned the look equably and accepted the offered champagne. “Have you? But then, I imagine that’s old news, too.”
    â€œTouché,” Carly murmured into her glass.
    â€œIs Brandon here?” she asked, trying to prove to herself and her companion that the conversation meant nothing.
    â€œHere and there,” Carly said ambiguously. “I haven’t decided whether he’s been trying to avoid the flocks of females that crawl around him or if he’s seeking them out. He doesn’t give away much, does he?”
    Raven uttered a noncommittal sound and shrugged. It was time, she decided, to change the subject. “Have you