Free Playing for Keeps by Dara Girard Page A

"Nothing. I thought I heard---it's nothing." But it wasn't nothing when she heard his voice again. It was as if he was in the next room. His tone distinctive, but this time casual, amused. Stacy left the kitchen and followed the sound to the family room, but of course he wasn't there. Emily sat focused on the TV screen. Stacy was about to turn away when she heard his voice again then saw his face appear.
    Stacy stared at the TV, a sudden coldness settling in the pit of her stomach. What was Chance doing on TV? Why was his face staring back at her on the screen? But it wasn't the Chance she remembered. It wasn't the man with a shabby beard and casual clothes. This man was clean shaven and gorgeous. Part of her didn't want it to be him, maybe it was a lookalike. But she couldn't deny that mouth, those eyes, and the voice. They were all distinctly his. She swallowed.
    "What's wrong?" Julia said behind her holding a plate filled with an assortment of party crackers and several cheese slices.
    "He's an actor," she said as if he were fatally ill.
    "They're all actors. Did you think this was a reality TV show or something?"
    Emily looked away from the screen. "Oh, you look great."
    Stacy forced a smile, no longer caring what she looked like. "Umm...what show are you watching?"
    " Heartbeat ."
    "And the actor's name is Chance Jamison?" she asked just to make sure. She wanted to be wrong.
    "Yes, he's really good," Emily said. "He’s been on the show for six years. He's Dr. Michael Staton. His father is a total jerk and his brother is sleeping with his wife, but he doesn't know it yet. He's so sweet. He's really in love with Monica Young but he had to marry Nicole in order to save the family medical practice, but she's also just using him."
    "I see," Stacy said, although she wasn't interested.
    "Juicy entertainment," Julia said adding a pitcher of lemonade to the refreshments.
    Stacy turned from the screen no longer able to face the truth. He was an actor. She'd almost fallen for another actor. "I have to leave."
    "Why?" Julia said alarmed. "Tell me what's wrong?"
    "I have to go."
    "Not until you tell me what's going on."
    "I went out with him."
    "Who?"
    "Chance Jamison," Stacy said in a breathless rush.
    "What?"
    Why hadn't he told her he was an actor? She inwardly groaned remembering all the awful things she'd said about those in his profession. "I can't believe he's an actor," she said her voice cracking.
    "And he's gorgeous," Julia added. "You have to break it off with him."
    Stacy stared at her friend confused. "What?"
    "You cannot keep seeing him. You've got to break this pattern. Actors are your weakness. You just got rid of Marshall."
    "He's not Marshall."
    "You're rebounding."
    "After three years? I haven't dated in--"
    "Exactly. You're picking the first guy who shows interest in you. That's not healthy. I let you talk me out of going to court with you, although I knew I shouldn't have, and I kept my mouth shut when you were married. Now listen to me. You need to stay away from actors. You need to find a man who will adore you. A man like that," she pointed to Chance's image, "is surrounded by beautiful temptations. You don't want to have to compete with that."
    Stacy's cell phone rang and she saw his number.
    "Is that him?" Julia asked.
    "Yes, he's taking me to lunch this weekend."
    "Cancel."
    "But I--"
    "If you can't talk to him then let the phone ring. Trust me. I'm looking out for you."
    Stacy sighed, feeling uncertain. She knew her friend cared but this felt wrong. When the phone stopped ringing she felt her heart drop.
    Julia took the phone from Stacy and grinned. "Good, he got the message." Her smile disappeared when a text appeared on the screen.
    "What does it say?" Stacy asked.
    "He's just telling you where he's taking you," Julia said swiftly texting back a reply. "Don't worry I'll handle this for you."
    "What are you doing?"
    "I'm canceling as we agreed."
    Stacy snatched the phone back before Julia could text