Dream Girl Read Online Free

it?"
    He handed over the folder, and she flipped it open and scanned the documentation. “Can you meet with Mrs. Van Heusen this week sometime?"
    "Sure,” she said. “But I have to go right now. Applied Crypto class."
    "I thought you might have time for a coffee..."
    She shook her head, determinedly ignoring the disappointment on her father's face. He kept making efforts to recover their relationship, but it just wasn't going to happen. Not after what he'd done to her mother. “Sorry. Gotta go."
    "How was your test the other day?” he persisted.
    "Ninety-two percent."
    He beamed. “Atta girl."
    His praise only annoyed her. She saluted him with the file folder. “Bye, Dad.” And she was off at a run, as usual, to get to school on time. She'd look at the file later and call the wife to arrange a meeting.
    "Leaving already?” Brenda asked as Ashlyn zipped through the small reception area.
    Ashlyn spared a smile for the woman. Brenda was nice, and it wasn't her fault she worked for a cheater. “I'm late for class!” She barely registered Brenda's sigh on her way out.

    It was short notice, but Mrs. Van Heusen was sure her husband was going to be at a party at the Bonaventure Hotel in downtown Los Angeles on Friday night. She herself was not attending due to a family engagement.
    Ashlyn was good at matching her look to the occasion. It was like putting on a costume and playing a role. She pulled out her black cocktail dress and spiky stilettos for tonight's job. Her elegant up-do made her look a little older than her twenty-four years, and she added glittering earrings that looked like real, huge diamond studs. She carefully made up her face with smoky eyes and red lipstick. Satisfied with her appearance, she picked up the evening bag, complete with tiny digital camcorder, and left for the party.
    It could be awkward going into these things alone, but it was the only option. Besides, Ashlyn was used to it. As she entered the hotel ballroom, she smiled and picked up a flute of champagne off the tray of a passing waiter. Then when his back was turned, she furtively dribbled most of the champagne into a potted palm. Those two beers the other night had almost done her in. God, she hated beer. It was disgusting skunky stuff.
    Her eyes moved over the elegantly-dressed crowd for her mark. The guests were mostly men in expensive dark suits, although some women in cocktail dresses and diamonds—probably real—and exotic perfume mingled with them. Muted piano music tinkled beneath the murmur of many voices. Finally, she spotted Derek Van Heusen in a conversation with two other men, recognizing him from the photos provided by his wife. She smiled and made her way over to him.
    She stood with her back to him, moving slowly backward ... one step ... another ... “Oh!” She whirled around at the bump of contact.
    "Sorry!” She flashed her most brilliant smile.
    "No, I'm sorry. I hope you didn't spill your champagne,” Derek Van Heusen apologized.
    "No, no,” she assured him. “I'm fine.” She paused and looked at him. “Aren't you Derek Van Heusen?"
    He nodded and smiled, but looked politely inquisitive. “Have we met?"
    "Yes, we met a few months ago at a party at Jennifer Holland's,” she said easily. “You were there ... I'm Ashlyn Hartford."
    The information had come from his wife, and it slid right off Ashlyn's tongue.
    "That's right. I do remember you,” he lied. He moved closer. “You look just as lovely tonight as you did then."
    Ashlyn smiled. “Why thank you. What brings you here this evening?"
    The small talk started, and Derek introduced her to his two companions. But before she could get him alone, another man approached him. Then, after making apologies, he was led away.
    "Perhaps we'll talk again later,” he called as he left—and she held his gaze to let him know she wasn't averse to that.
    Ashlyn sighed inwardly. She had nothing to talk to these two gentlemen about, so she stood there smiling as they