Her Red-Carpet Romance by Marie Ferrarella

sounding almost half serious. “You look about the same size as Monica, so Wardrobe wouldn’t be unhappy.”
    Though flattered, Yohanna’s thoughts were focused elsewhere. “Did you see it?” she asked.
    Dirk looked at her uncertainly. He hadn’t a clue what she was asking. “See what?”
    â€œThe other contract,” Yohanna stressed. “Did you see the date on it?”
    Lukkas realized what his assistant was getting at. “Well, did you?” he asked his director and old friend.
    The expression on Dirk’s face was that of a man wondering if he had been duped. “Actually, no. I took her word for it. She said something about her lawyer holding on to it. The threat she was silently issuing was that she’d sue and hold up production on the picture if we didn’t let her out of this contract.”
    â€œWhat are you thinking?” Lukkas asked Yohanna.
    â€œThat she might be bluffing. I could be wrong, but judging by her recent actions—yes, I watch those tabloid programs—that might be something she’d be prone to do, lie to get out of a contract she decided wasn’t to her advantage to honor for some reason. It should be an easy thing to check out.”
    Lukkas turned his attention to his director. “You know anyone on the other set? Someone who might be able to confirm—or dispute—when the contracts for all the major players were signed?”
    Montelle suddenly looked very pleased with himself—and impressed with Lukkas’s newest addition to his crew. “As a matter of fact, I know a few people.”
    â€œKnew there was a reason I hired you,” Lukkas quipped. Then he looked at Yohanna. “Nice catch.”
    â€œ
Possible
catch,” she amended.
    â€œModest, too. Looks as though I got lucky. Remind me to throw some more business Mrs. Manetti’s way,” he told her. “And while you’re at it, give Joanne Campbell’s agent a call.”
    â€œThe actress?” she asked a little uncertainly. Joanne and Monica looked alike enough to be sisters. Why would he need one if he was keeping the other?
    â€œNo, the librarian,” he deadpanned. “Of course, the actress. The part’s a good fit for her.”
    â€œBut what about Monica?” Yohanna asked him. “Didn’t you just say—?”
    He held his hand up to keep her from going on. “I want to give her a hard time to show her that it’s not good business to create her kind of turmoil on one of my sets. She made Montelle here sweat. Now it’s our turn to make
her
sweat. Sound good to you?” he asked the director.
    The man’s grin said it all, but just in case, he confirmed, “Absolutely. Music to my ears, boss.”
    His attention back to the director, Lukkas told the man, “If you need me, I’ll be in the trailer for a while—” He suddenly paused. “The trailers did arrive, right?”
    â€œYesterday,” Montelle confirmed. “Most of them anyway. The rest are on their way. Should be here by the end of the week. What’s a production without glitches?” the director asked.
    â€œA production that doesn’t have me eating migraine tablets by the pound,” Lukkas responded.
    Dirk snapped his fingers as if he’d had a life-altering idea.
    â€œThat’s how I’ll fund my retirement. I’ll buy stock in your migraine medication,” he said, almost succeeding in keeping a straight face.
    â€œComing?” Lukkas asked Yohanna after he began walking away.
    There he went again. “Would you take offense if I had a bell collar make up for you?” she asked Lukkas, once again quickly striding after him to catch up.
    â€œI don’t wear jewelry,” he responded, straight-faced.
    â€œDon’t think of it as jewelry,” she told him. “Think of it as an early warning system. Kind of like with