Through the Shadows Read Online Free

we having lunch?”
    Lydia gulped the swallow she held in her mouth so she could answer and swore as the hot coffee scalded her throat.
    “Bloody hell!”
    “What? I didn’t hear you. Where did you say?”
    Lydia dabbed at her smeared lipstick and again reached for the bottle.
    “We’re eating at The Fountain.”
    Tori sighed then pulled her sweater over her head and jerked down the zipper of her jeans. She duck-walked to the closet; the jeans still wrapped around her ankles. She lifted one leg free and sailed the pants across the room with her other foot. She scraped hangers across the metal rod in her closet, trying to find a dress suitable for the restaurant Lydia had chosen for lunch. Tori would’ve been happier with fast food but Lydia would have been horrified at such a thought.
    She rummaged through the dresser drawers, looking for a pair of stockings with the least runs, muttering to herself. The best pair she found had no runs but there was a rip in the crotch.
    Well, it’s the best I can do. With any luck, they won’t rip any more. Where’d I put my clear fingernail polish?
    Tori covered the entire ripped seam with the acrylic polish then blew on them to speed the drying process.
    “Why The Fountain, Lydia? Couldn’t you have chosen something a little less elegant? Good grief! It’s only lunch!”
    Tori could just imagine Lydia rolling her eyes toward the ceiling as if imploring someone to give her strength to not yell at her young, unsophisticated writer.
    “Well, love, we’re having a guest for lunch. An important guest, and I thought it terribly inappropriate to ask him to eat a kiddy’s meal!”
    Tori walked into the living room and lifted her eyebrows at the flask sitting on the end table next to her agent.
    “If I’m forced to drink this swill I have to make it more civilized. Coffee, indeed!”
    Lydia dropped the alcohol back into her purse, not bothering to make any further excuses for herself.
    “A guest? Who is it, Lydia?”
    Lydia grinned and Tori recognized the look. It was the expression Lydia wore when she had successfully pulled off a great coup.
    “It’s your next publisher, Tori. His name is Ted Woodward and he’s the acquisition editor for one of the biggest houses in New York! Isn’t this exciting?”
    Tori was always amazed at Lydia’s confidence. She didn’t doubt for one moment that this publisher would be interested in Tori’s work.
    “Lydia! You just automatically assume this man will want to publish my book?”
    The agent stood in front of Tori and smiled as she smoothed the young woman’s stray wisps of hair.
    “No, love, I don’t doubt it. You are very talented, Tori, and this man will see that. Not only will he publish this next book but he will be begging to publish each one of your books after that.”
    Tori quickly hugged her agent and tears shimmered in her eyes.
    “I wish I had as much faith in me as you do, Lydia.”
    “One day you will, sweet Tori. Now, hurry it up! We’re going to dazzle this man, but it may be more difficult if we show up an hour late!”
    She swatted Tori with her purse as she rushed her to the front door.
    * * *
    Lunch with Lydia was always a learning experience for Tori. She watched the beautiful agent work her magic on the editor. She charmed and wooed the distinguished looking man, winning him over completely. She had brought along the partial for Tori’s next book. At first, Ted Woodward seemed eager to read it but he only gave it a cursory glance before he told them he would look forward to reading the completed manuscript.
    As they were parting at the entrance to the restaurant, he shook Tori’s clammy hand and kissed Lydia’s cheek.
    “Tori, it was a pleasure to meet you. After all of Lydia’s glowing praise, I wondered if your work could live up to it. Lydia, are we still on for dinner this evening? Ladies, it has been a delight!”
    Tori was wondering just how much her written words had swayed this man’s opinion