Turn Me On. Kristin Hardy

this mind control thing he gets going. You wouldn’t mean to, but you wouldn’t be able to help it.”

      “Trust me, I’d help it.” Kelly waved the waiter over and ordered another drink. “Anyway, never mind. I’m not interested in any guy who’s going to go all gaga over me anyway. I want a good time, good sex and a hot career. I’d rather stick with the ones who know how the game’s played.” She waved her hand. “Speaking of games, how’s the great American documentary going?”

      “Okay,” Sabrina said noncommittally, nibbling on an almond. “So are you going to the premiere?”

      “Don’t try to change the subject. Last time I saw you, you were dancing on air over this thing. What, are you having problems now?”

      “No, everything’s fine, great.”

      Kelly’s eyes narrowed fractionally; then she relaxed, glancing over at the dancing water fountain next to the restaurant. “You know, we have known each other a long time,” she said, leaning back in her chair and looking at Sabrina. “I don’t think I’ve ever told you, but did you know that every time you lie, there’s this little muscle by the corner of your eye that starts to twitch?”

      Sabrina choked on her drink.

      “What’s going on, Pantolini? Something’s up.”

      “Nothing’s up.”

      “Boy, look at that thing go,” Kelly said with enjoyment, and began digging in her purse. “I know I’ve got a mirror in here somewhere. You oughtta take a look. It’s really something.”

      Sabrina scowled at her. “I get the idea.”

      “So?”

      “I just had some problems lining up a director. Mine bolted for another project before we had him locked in.”

      “Are you going to be able to find someone else in time?”

      Sabrina chewed on her lip. “That’s where the problem comes in. My uncle Gus came up with someone, which was a good thing since I’d scoured the town and couldn’t find anybody.”

      “Why do I want to say uh-oh?”

      “It’s Stef Costas.”

      Kelly blinked at her. “Stef?”

      “Stef.”

      “The Greek god? Are you out of your mind?”

      “It’s okay, Kelly.”

      “Rina, there has to be someone else around. You can’t work with this guy. You talk about not letting your friends go near your cousin with a ten-foot pole, what about this?”

      “It’s history, Kelly, eight years ago. It’s nothing I can’t handle,” Sabrina muttered.

      “Are you sure of that? Don’t forget what he put you through. I haven’t. I was the shoulder you cried on.”

      And Sabrina would never stop being grateful for it. “I was nineteen then. I’ve gotten smarter. I can work with the guy without letting old news get in the way.”

      Kelly gave her a level look. “I hope you’re right.”

      “It’s business, that’s all. If I’ve learned nothing else since working for Uncle Gus it’s that you get the job done, no matter what.” Sabrina’s voice was shaded with intensity. “You don’t let anything get in the way of the job, especially nothing personal.”

      “Nothing personal? He broke your heart.”

      “Look,” Sabrina’s voice softened. “I appreciate your being concerned, but it’s okay, really. We set some ground rules. He knows I’m in charge.”

      “You sure about that? Because it would be a really bad idea to be going into this thinking that you’re going to rewrite history or something. Sexual politics never got anyone anywhere.”

      “Trust me, the only thing I’m thinking about is getting this pilot done the best way I know how. As far as I’m concerned, Stef Costas is just another person on the set.”

      Kelly shook her head. “Sure. And denial is a river in Egypt.”