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  Table of Contents

  Cover

  Synopsis

  Title Page

  Copyright Page

  Other Books by Ann Roberts

  About the Author

  Acknowledgments

  Dedication

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Chapter Seventeen

  Chapter Eighteen

  Chapter Nineteen

  Chapter Twenty

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  Chapter Twenty-Seven

  Chapter Twenty-Eight

  Chapter Twenty-Nine

  Chapter Thirty

  Bella Books

  Synopsis

  Addy Tornado wishes her love life was as dramatic as her name. A true romantic, Addy lives for the movies and yearns for a mate who is as beautiful, sexy, witty, and as smart as the heroines on the screen. Of course that someone would also have to put up with her OCD about color coordination…

  Mazie Midnight has one dream—to finish her Master’s program in music performance. She reinvents herself and moves to the west coast to attend Cammon University, hoping a new name and a new start will be what she needs to face the one barrier keeping her from a degree: terrible stage fright.

  Mazie takes a job at the Bijou Theater, Addy’s favorite place in the whole world, and the two clash immediately over Mazie’s re-arrangement of the colorful candies. Mazie meets none of Addy’s expectations in a mate, and Addy sees Mazie as nothing more than an adversary…until Mazie opens her mouth to sing.

  Believing the world should hear Mazie, Addy vows to help her overcome her stage fright. But can she see Mazie as someone to love? Will they ever share anything as perfect as a screen kiss?

  Copyright © 2019 by Ann Roberts

  Bella Books, Inc.

  P.O. Box 10543

  Tallahassee, FL 32302

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, without permission in writing from the publisher.

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental. The publisher does not have any control over and does not assume any responsibility for author or third-party websites or their content.

  First Bella Books Edition 2019

  eBook released 2019

  Editor: Katherine V. Forrest

  Cover Designer: Judith Fellows

  ISBN: 978-1-64247-033-8

  PUBLISHER’S NOTE

  The scanning, uploading, and distribution of this book via the Internet or via any other means without the permission of the publisher is illegal and punishable by law. Please purchase only authorized electronic editions, and do not participate in or encourage electronic piracy of copyrighted materials. Your support of the author’s rights is appreciated.

  Other Bella Books by Ann Roberts

  Romances

  Brilliant

  Beach Town

  Root of Passion

  Beacon of Love

  Petra’s Canvas

  Hidden Hearts

  The Complete Package

  Pleasure of the Chase

  Vagabond Heart

  General Fiction

  Furthest From the Gate

  Keeping Up Appearances

  The Ari Adams Mystery Series

  Paid in Full

  White Offerings

  Deadly Intersections

  Point of Betrayal

  A Grand Plan

  A Secret to Tell

  Justice Calls

  Acknowledgments

  My parents watched three or four movies every week. It wasn’t uncommon for my mother to break into song on a Sunday afternoon, grab one of us kids and foxtrot across the living room, while singing a show tune from a Broadway hit that had been made into a movie. I love film because of them. As an architect, my father instilled in me an appreciation of old and repurposed buildings, maintaining they were the best constructed since most of the new stuff was “crap.” He loved the old theaters, buildings truly worthy of something magnificent like a wonderful cinematic experience. This book blends those two loves.

  I’m indebted to Becky Bailey, a transportation supervisor with Lane County, for sharing her stories, experiences, and insights about the world of public transportation and those who ride. She helped shape Addy’s character significantly.

  Julie Blonshteyn, the owner of the real Bijou Theater in Eugene, Oregon, is a shining example of tenacity, as she risked everything to achieve her dream of owning a movie theater. She explained all the ins and outs, the technical aspects, and the challenges she faces to survive as a small independent. My first visit to the Bijou, a magnificent refurbished and repurposed building, planted the initial seeds for this story. Thanks, Julie.

  Linda and Jessica Hill and the crew at Bella Books down in Tallahassee work tirelessly to publish our stories, even in the face of natural disasters like Hurricane Michael. I so appreciate their support.

  My wife Amy continues to be my greatest cheerleader. She’s the protector of my writing time, the kitten and puppy wrangler, and the most honest critic I have. I love you, honey.

  A huge thanks to my editor and mentor, Katherine V. Forrest. Each time an edited manuscript from Katherine arrives on my doorstep, I take a deep breath, hoping she’s happy with the story—and she was! I’m incredibly fortunate to have a pioneer of lesbian fiction guiding and pushing me toward the best story I can tell.

  Finally, to all of my readers, I’m honored and forever grateful that you continue to spend your money and time on my writing. I’ll keep writing if you keep reading.

  About the Author

  Ann Roberts is the award-winning author of nineteen mystery, romance, and general fiction novels. Ann’s most recent romance, Vagabond Heart, was a Lambda finalist, and Conference Call, the collection of stories she edited in 2017, was a Goldie finalist. She lives in Eugene, Oregon, with her wife and a growing collection of fur kids. When Ann isn’t writing her own stuff, editing someone else’s, coaching a newer author, or remodeling her home, she can be found exploring Oregon’s wineries or strolling along a beach, preferably near a lighthouse. To learn more about Ann, please visit her website, annroberts.net.

  Dedication

  For those who preserve our old theaters and the

  independent filmmakers who tell our stories.

  Chapter One

  A murmur of excitement buzzes through Lane Eight—Addy Tornado’s checkout line. When she scans the customer faces, most of whom are Value Shop regulars, her gaze lands on the famous Princess Meritain of Merutious. She has just joined Addy’s line, right behind Mr. Flanders, who is skimming the latest edition of Guns Around the World. He clearly doesn’t realize he is rubbi
ng elbows with royalty, mainly because he never faces forward, too busy looking at the impulse purchase items available on his left and right.

  Princess Meritain takes a step back from Mr. Flanders and his elbow thrashings. Her regal chin turns upward. While she is a diminutive woman, her erect posture and proper carriage creates the impression she towers over all. Perhaps it is her royal training that gives her command of Lane Eight, that or the four-inch, red, don’t-fuck-with-me heels that complement her black, tight-fitting A-line skirt. Addy permits herself one long graze of the princess. She drinks in the shapely calves, curvaceous bottom, thin waist, stellar bosom, red lips, long eyelashes, and eyes so blue she can see them from three customers away.

  Her grazing complete, she returns her attention to the MOST IMPORTANT CUSTOMER, the one standing in front of her. Value Shop policy reminds its employees that the customer currently being served is the MOST IMPORTANT CUSTOMER in the store. Mrs. Kaminsky is one of Addy’s favorites, a delightful retiree who has just returned from summer vacation with her son’s family. Mrs. Kaminsky frequents Addy’s line at least four times a week, and she has confided she is lonely and enjoys Addy’s company, if only for a few fleeting minutes while Addy rings up her purchases.

  As she regales Addy with yet another story about granddaughter Chloe’s antics in the hotel swimming pool, and a game of Marco Polo gone awry because of some deflated floaties, Addy sneaks a second glance at the princess, who offers a cold, hard stare. Addy immediately looks down, flustered.

  “Hey, Addy,” Mrs. Kaminsky says. “You just charged me four ninety-eight for a bunch of radishes.”

  Addy gasps and apologizes. She voids the item and focuses on her work. Mrs. Kaminsky leaves with appropriately charged radishes and as Addy’s line moves forward, the princess draws closer and unloads the contents of her little shopping basket onto the conveyor belt with the disdain befitting a task beneath her. She flings a package of overpriced plastic cutlery with such force, it somersaults over the dividing bar and lands in Mr. Flanders’s stack of purchases. He discreetly nudges the cutlery back to the other side, his gaze never straying from the article he’s reading.

  Addy frowns at the behavior of the princess. She has a reputation for being callous and insensitive, and her treatment of the cutlery affirms the stories. Addy allows herself another quick glance while Mr. Flanders debates whether or not to purchase the magazine and finish an article on German rifles from WWII.

  He finally placed the magazine in his shopping bag, exchanges a smile with Addy, who rings it up and hands him his change.

  Princess Meritain steps to the pay station and stares at Addy as if she’s nuts.

  Of course, Addy greets her with the required Value Shop smile—while she groups each item by prominent color before scanning it and placing it in one of the Value Shop paper bags.

  Addy can’t help herself. When she looks at any object, its prominent color pushes forward, whether that is the color of the packaging, the letters on the label, or the color of the item. It’s like a spotlight turns on and all Addy sees is one color. Thus, bananas are always grouped with yellow squash, banana popsicles and various cheeses, while lettuces, cucumbers and margarita mix journey out of the store together. Her regular customers have learned her system, but of course Princess Meritain of Merutious has not. But how could she? Addy again forgives the princess this understandable faux pas.

  As the princess’s luscious lips curl into displeasure, Addy offers,“I’m all about order,” as an explanation for her behavior.

  “I’d rather you not touch my things any more than necessary,” Princess Meritain replies, in a breathy voice Addy finds very sexy. “It’s not sanitary.”

  “I promise you, I sanitize my hands after I touch the register or handle money or credit cards.”

  Princess Meritain raises an already high-pitched eyebrow. “Every time?”

  “Every time.” And then Addy leans forward, resting her elbow on the check-writing desk, and whispers, “My hands are so clean right now that I could feed you a strawberry.” It’s a risky flirt, and Addy watches the princess’s response carefully.

  The eyebrow descends and joins a face of the creamiest skin Addy has ever seen. She gazes into the extraordinary blue eyes for another second before completing the princess’s transaction.

  Princess Meritain gazes into the bag and screams, “What the hell? Why is the Drano in the bag with my tomatoes? That’s disgusting!”

  “Well, tomatoes and the bottle of Drano are the only red purchases you have. If you’d bought something else that was red, I could’ve started another bag.”

  The blue eyes turn a darker shade. “I demand to see your manager.”

  Addy crosses her arms. “No.”

  The high-pitched eyebrow returns. “Excuse me?”

  “You may not see the manager. I won’t allow it. That will be twenty-seven dollars. Even.”

  The princess turns up her regal chin. “I won’t pay it.”

  “Then you can’t have your Drano.”

  With a swoop, Addy pushes the bags into a corner of the bagging area and welcomes the next MOST IMPORTANT CUSTOMER, Mrs. Delano. While she offers her sweetest smile to Mrs. D., she remains cognizant of the princess’s stare.

  So she gives her a show. She quickly lines up Mrs. D’s reusable bags and scans her items, correctly grouped by dominant color. She swipes and taps keys at lightning speed, stealing a glance at the princess, who seems entranced by her grocery ballet, an homage to efficiency.

  As Mrs. Delano departs, Princess Meritain steps back to the pay station, licking her lips.

  Addy knows that look.

  “I’d like to pay now.”

  Addy completes the transaction, her gaze locked on the princess’s gorgeous eyes. When she hands her the receipt, she says, “Value Shop encourages you to follow this link and complete a survey regarding my service and your level of satisfaction. Are you satisfied?”

  “Not yet,” the princess whispers.

  Addy glances at the next customer in line, a young woman engaged in a battle of wills with a preschool-age boy. He wishes to add a candy bar to their otherwise healthy purchases that fill the conveyor belt—and are not grouped by color. Addy sighs.

  Suddenly the princess is behind her, pressing into her back. “Meet me in frozen dinners,” she says, in a voice almost as smoky as her blue eyes.

  Addy nods and drops the CLOSED sign at the end of the conveyor belt. She completes the young woman’s transaction, including the candy bar, in record time, given the plethora of colors involved.

  She scampers toward the frozen food section as the princess makes a quick turn from an adjoining aisle and pulls in front of her. Addy is afforded the luxurious view of Princess Meritain’s ass, her butt cheeks rising and falling with each step.

  She stops suddenly, but Addy is so entranced with her backside that she almost plows her over. She grabs a door handle just in time and rights herself. Princess Meritain’s amused look is striking and sexy. Addy is smoldering, but she doubts stuffing a Lean Cuisine down her shirt will help.

  The princess faces a refrigerated case and slaps the glass with both hands. She grinds her center against it, right in the Green Giant’s line of sight.

  She glances over her shoulder and says to Addy, “Can you satisfy me now?”

  Addy presses against her. She matches her rhythm, kissing the side of her neck while her hands and lips explore the princess’s sultry curves, enjoying the continuous undulation of their pelvises. The silk buttons of Princess Meritain’s shirt come undone, as does the clasp of her bra, neither a match for Addy’s nimble fingers. When the princess’s bare nipples meet the cold glass, she gasps and lolls her head to the side. Addy pulls that regal chin up and connects their mouths for a deep kiss. Then she steps away.

  “No, please,” the princess whines.

  Addy, still fully clothed, adjusts her Value Shop polo shirt and nametag, which hangs askew from her gyrations. The glass is fogge
d and she wonders if it’s possible to spoil the food from the outside of the case. Princess Meritain’s tiny skirt suddenly drops to her ankles, revealing a sheer, pink thong that matches the bra Addy has already woman-handled. When the princess sloughs off the silk shirt and bra, Addy almost grabs them, protecting the fine garments from the dirty, scarred linoleum floor.

  But the princess doesn’t notice. She spins around, stepping away from her discarded clothes toward a fresh case, one that hasn’t been a victim of their heat. She presses her back against the frosty glass, her eyes grow wide and her lips form an O.

  “Feeling a chill. Come warm me up, Addy.”

  The princess is a sight. Her face is flush, her nipples firm, and the blue eyes have turned a cooler shade of crystal. And she still gyrates, only now her back and buttocks are assaulted by the cold. She spreads her legs wider, beckoning Addy. When Addy doesn’t respond immediately, she caresses her own breasts, splays her fingers across her belly and moves the manicured digits closer to the thong, the only strip of clothing she still wears.

  “Let me,” Addy instructs, sliding in front of the princess, disregarding the inevitable dirt stains on the knees of her white pants. She yanks down the scrap of material and brings the juicy center to her mouth.

  “Addy? Hello, Addy?”

  Addy blinked. Her gaze shot left and right. She was at work, sitting in the driver’s seat of Bus 29, the crown jewel of the Wilshire Hills Transportation Department. It was Thursday in late August. Her bus idled in front of Rhinehart’s Mini-Mart, stop number six on her route. The bus’s front door was still open. Thankfully, the brake was still engaged, but the hot summer wind blew inside and devoured the A/C.

  She looked up into the full-view mirror above her driver’s seat to acknowledge the passenger who had called to her. Mrs. Gelpin waved from the second row, a gentle smile on her face. At eighty-four, she was a long-time resident of Wilshire Hills, and one of Addy’s regulars. She understood that periodically Addy took a mental vacation, and it wasn’t always at the most convenient time.