Free Movie Lovers by Jean Joachim Page A

Just In Time? ”
    “I did. What a bitch! I’d love to know
who Movie Maven really is.”
    “I was calling to see if you knew
who she was.”
    “Nope. But if I find out, you’ll be
the first to know.”
    “I’ll fix her. If I find out who she
is, I’ll ruin her. No one attacks Gunther Quill and gets away with it.”
    “Let me know. I might like to take a
swing at her, myself.” Jake chuckled.
    “Merry Christmas, Jake. And don’t
worry. We’re not paying any attention to her nasty review.”
    “Good. Goodnight.” He closed his phone.
“Gunther actually thought I knew who the bitch is who wrote that awful review.
Wish I did.” He looked up to see Grace standing stiffly a few feet away, eyes
wide, face pale, frowning. “He sure spoiled the mood, didn’t he?”
    She nodded.
    “Don’t worry, honey. We’ll get it
back on New Year’s. You and I have chemistry to burn,” he whispered. He leaned
down to give her a quick kiss and felt how rigid she was. “You okay?”
    “Fine. See you on New Year’s.”
    “Yeah and at the theater, too
right?”
    “Right.”
    “Merry Christmas, Gracie.” Jake
turned and headed for the elevator, humming “Jingle Bells.”

 
 
 
 
    Chapter Five

 
 
    Black Magic should be
titled No Magic. Yes, another time-waster. Mistaken identity and paranormal
elements left me yawning. The dialogue was the worst I’ve seen since…oh, yes,
last week!
                                             
    Gracie wrote another nasty write-up.
Tiffany put it first among her reviews.
    Research showed forty percent of
readers were heading straight for the column. Her agreement with Tiffany kept
her from posting each opinion on her blog, but she didn’t care. She was getting
paid, and the reviews were getting raves.
    But the nasty comments were getting
harder and harder to write as she began to feel very guilty about ruining sales
for others in the same industry. How
would I feel if someone wrote something like this about my movie? I’d be
crushed. She tried to soften her sharp remarks but Tiffany rejected those columns
and refused to pay her.
    By New Year’s, she had decided to
cancel her arrangement with Tiffany. But she was the only person who knew the secret
identity of the Movie Maven. Grace was afraid the cold-hearted editor would
expose her.It was a dilemma.
    She decided not to think about it on
New Year’s. She left the theater early to play a board game with Sarah before
the child went to bed. Grant was getting ready for the party. Grace had made a
few delicacies earlier in the day to share with Jake.
    After reading Sarah a bedtime story,
Grace set out a platter with cold jumbo shrimp and cocktail sauce, egg rolls
from her favorite Chinese restaurant, stuffed mushrooms, and bacon-wrapped
concoctions from a secret family recipe. Another dish held giant strawberries
dipped in chocolate, cannoli, and mini napoleons from the French bakery down
the street along with her own homemade chocolate chip cookies.
    Grace’s mouth watered while she
arranged the food artfully. Grant entered the kitchen. “It’s black tie tonight,
and Cara said you tie a mean bowtie. Would you mind? Hey, what’s all this?”
    “No problem,” Grace said reaching
up. “A little something for Jake and me after the show.”
    “I think maybe I’m going to the
wrong party. This looks great.”
    “Help yourself, I have tons.” He nabbed
an egg roll while Grace expertly wound the tie into a perfect bow.
    “Jake’s a lucky guy.” He picked up a
shrimp and carefully dipped it in cocktail sauce.
    “He’s got a good appetite.”
    “I mean, dating you.”
    She smiled with pleasure at his
compliment. “Think so?”
    “Sure do. You’re one in a million,
Grace. And that’s not just because you’re Cara’s sister.”
    “Although that doesn’t hurt, eh?”
    “You two broke the mold.”
    “Done!” She pulled the bow tight. Grant
took another shrimp and popped it