CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

Roz and Sandra clang their wine glasses and took sips as they sat across from each other in a restaurant booth.

"On some level it has to hurt, Roz," Sandra said. Roz was her talent agent for all of her Broadway gigs, and they didn't exactly fraternize the way they used to, but they'd been friends for a long time.

"It does hurt," Roz admitted. "On many levels. I mean look at me. Putting on this sexy dress to have dinner with you." Sandra laughed. "And he hardly glanced at me."

"That's how Drayson is too. I tried everything to please that man, but it was never enough."

"You talk like he's past tense."

"He is. As soon as you fired him, he fired me as his girlfriend."

"Sorry about that."

"Don't be. He was only using me to get ahead. He didn't give a damn about me. But you know what? I feel lighter, and freer, without him." Then she looked at Roz. "You will, too, if you get rid of your ball and chain."

"Girl please. That ball and chain is the father of my children. And I love him so much it's not even funny."

"What in the world could you love about him ?" Sandra asked. She'd only met him twice, and he was unfriendly both times. "He's got a good look about him," she added. "And I heard he was great in bed." Then she realized what she'd just said. "Before he met you, I mean." That wasn't what she meant, but Roz dismissed it. Mick was a lot of things, but nobody was going to convince her that he was a cheater.

Roz exhaled. "People don't believe this," she said, "but he's an honorable man."

Sandra couldn't help it. She let out a laugh. " Mick Sinatra honorable ? Are you serious? Roz, he's a mobster. I know you can't admit it to me, but I heard of him before you started dating him. He's Mafia."

"All lies," Roz said, although she knew it wasn't. "Anyway, I just wanted to let you know I'm still working on getting you that role."

"Have you met with Darryl yet? He's the one standing in my way."

Roz nodded. "Negative. He won't give me a meeting. At least not to talk about you. And you're my top priority. This role will win you a Tony, I guarantee it. But Darryl's being so stubborn."

"First Patrick told you I had an audition. Then he tells you Darryl won't allow it. Why is he blackballing me like that?"

"That's just what he does. Don't worry about that." Then she stared at Sandra. "I haven't seen you since that shooting. How have you been?"

Sandra shook her head. "It was traumatizing, but I'm okay. You?"

"I'm good."

"Yes, you are." It was a male's voice.

Both ladies looked and saw Patrick walking up to their booth. Sandra was excited. Roz was suspicious. "What are you doing here?" she asked him.

"We had some unfinished business I thought. I'm here to get it resolved."

"Sandra has an audition?" asked Roz. "That's the only resolution I'm looking for."

Sandra watched him with anticipation in her eyes. Then Patrick smiled. "Darryl has agreed to a meeting."

Sandra hadn't expected to hear that. Roz either. Sandra smiled. "A meeting to talk about me?" she asked Patrick.

"You're the one Roz wants in his biggest Broadway production in years. So yeah."

Roz looked at Patrick. "When does he want to meet?"

"I'll be honest with you. He doesn't want to meet."

Sandra frowned. "Then why did you say he wanted to meet?"

Roz wanted to hear that answer too.

"He's at my hotel right now," Patrick said to Roz. "He's meeting with a few investors. After that meeting, if you're already there," Patrick added, "I'm certain he'll meet with you. Nobody can make the case for Sandy better than you can, Roz."

"But why should she believe him now? He promised me an audition when he was on the phone with you, then he called it off. But he won't renege on his promise if he makes it directly to you."

Roz knew it too. She began grabbing her gloves. "Let's do this," she said as she slid off of the booth seat. "I'll give you a call after the meeting," she said to Sandra.

"Please do, Roz. I'm gonna be on pins and needles. Call me whether the news is good or bad." Then Sandra excitedly hugged her neck. "Good luck," she said, and Roz and Patrick hurried out of the restaurant.

Patrick glanced back at Sandra. Sandra smiled and nodded her head.