'What do you feel like having?' he asked. 'They make a helluva sandwich here.'

'Giant sandwiches,' she replied, perusing the menu. 'You Americans eat enough for three people.'

'That's 'cause we need our energy.'

'So you can fight the rest of the world?'

'Low blow.'

'Sorry,' she murmured, deciding on a tuna melt.

Pete went for a hamburger with everything on it and a side of French fries.

'I'm sure you're aware that you have a few stunts in our movie,' he said, after the waitress left their table. 'I'll be coordinating your stunt double, which means we'll be working together quite a bit. I was thinking you should build up your strength.'

'Why would I want to do that?'

'In case you decide to try some of the stunts yourself.'

'Me?'

'Is there a reason you can't?'

'I've never done anything like that before,' she said hesitantly.

'Now's the time,' he said, full of enthusiasm, "cause I got a hunch you'll love it.'

'I will?'

'I could start you on a training programme,' he said. 'Nothing too strenuous.'

'I don't know...'

'C'mon,' he said encouragingly. 'I'll take you to my gym in Santa Monica, work out a programme for you to follow.'

'You have a gym now?'

'A chain of 'em.'

'That's terrific,' she said, picking up her glass and taking a sip of water.

'You know, I am kind of interested in learning about self-defence. Would you be able to teach me?'

'How about shooting a gun?'

'Let's not get carried away,' she said, laughing softly. 'I'm hardly planning on appearing in a cowboy movie.'

'The way the world's going, learning to shoot is not such a bad idea.'

'Guns scare me,' she said, remembering Linc's graphic stories about the night his father shot himself in the head.

'Not when you know how to use 'em.'

Their order arrived, and Pete attacked his burger as if he were a starving man.

Shelby leaned forward and stole a French fry from his plate. 'So tell me, Pete,'

she said, attempting to sound casual, 'are you married?'

'No,' he answered, giving her a long, penetrating look. 'Truth is, Shelby, I gave up trusting women after you.'

She lowered her eyes. 'I'm sorry.'

'I'll be honest,' he said, speaking slowly. 'After you ran off an' married Linc, I have to admit I was kinda bitter for a while. 'Cause, well... you're not exactly easy to get over.'

'I wish I could make you understand how overwhelming it was for me when I met Linc. We fell in love and I was helpless.' She paused for a moment, wondering what her life would've been like if she'd stayed with Pete. Different, that was for sure. 'Y'know, Pete,' she continued, her eyes meeting his, 'it was never my intention to let you down.'

He nodded. 'I know that.'

'I would be so happy if you and Linc could be friends again. I hate thinking it was me who came between you.'

'Me and Linc - friends?' Pete said scornfully. 'That's never gonna happen. I'll be your friend, not his. There's no way after what he did to me.'

'Pete,' she said, impulsively reaching across the table and squeezing his hand.

'We both did it. Why can't we be grown-ups and forget about the past?'

'Oh, Shelby, Shelby,' he sighed, 'you make it sound so damn simple.'

'It is simple.'

'For you , maybe.'

'For you, too,' she urged. 'All you've got to do is let go.'

'Easy for you to say.'

'It would mean so much to me.'

He gave her a long, lingering look. 'Here's the big question: does he make you happy?'

'Of course he does,' she replied, once more meeting his gaze. 'Linc's a great guy. I mean, he has his problems, but we've managed to work through them.'

'That's more than most women were able to do.'

'I promise you, he's a changed man.'

'Because if he doesn't make you happy...'

'What, Pete?'

'Then he'll have to deal with me.'

Somehow it was comforting to know that she had a man who was totally on her side.

Cocooned in a haze of champagne, grass and decadence, Lola surfaced slowly. She was naked in Tony Alvarez's bed in his hotel suite, with Tony asleep beside her.

Flung casually across the bed was a mink-lined satin throw, while on it were Tony's black silk sheets - he never travelled without several sets. Tony was an extravagant hedonist.

Thank God it's Saturday and I'm not on call, she thought, gently touching his back. She could feel the heat still there, vibrating through his dark olive skin. God, Tony Alvarez was an addiction she'd never got over.

Naked, she stepped out of bed, and padded into the bathroom. What a night! Tony had insisted on exploring all the new Latino supper clubs. They'd covered three or four, with the paparazzi dogging their every step, growing in numbers as they exited each place. It was exhilarating, running out through back entrances, sneaking into their limo, seeing if they could outrun the paparazzi. Tony, with his sly smile, flashy entourage, and way of doing things with such style.

After she'd gone down on him in the car, he'd presented her with a single ten-carat yellow diamond on a thin diamond chain to wear round her neck. 'It's your slave chain, baby,' he'd said, with a cunning smile. 'Every time you wear it, you'll think of me.'

He certainly knew how to please her. But then again, she certainly knew how to please him.

'Where's your so-called fiancee?' she'd asked, knowing for sure that the girl was history.

'On ice,' he'd replied, pouring more champagne.

End of that story.

They'd started off the evening with Cristal in the limo. It was not until later that he'd begun snorting coke. She was not happy about his habit. 'Tony,' she'd pleaded, 'you know that's why I had to leave you last time.'

'You wanna be with me, you take me how I am,' he'd said, full of confidence.

'Nobody's gettin' busted, baby. I got bodyguards on top of bodyguards.'

'But, Tony-'

'Fuck, Lola,' he'd interrupted, his voice hardening. 'I'm on probation. You think I wanna go through any legal shit?'

Somehow it added to the excitement. Tony, the drugs, the danger.

Not that she indulged: she'd decided early on that she was never getting into drugs - she knew how they affected people's looks. She'd watched one actress on a TV series whose face had got more bloated and disgusting every time an episode ran. Plus cocaine wasn't for her. Champagne was more her style.

'I don't understand why drinking doesn't do it for you,' she'd complained.

'What's the fascination you have with cocaine and the other stuff you're into?'

'Hey, just know I'm ecstatic you ain't into it,' he'd said. 'Nobody wants to mess with a coke whore. 'Specially not this dude.'

They'd danced the night away with crowds of people watching and surrounding them, clapping them on. They were both fine salsa dancers who took pleasure in excelling. It wasn't simply because they were famous that they cut such a swathe: some couples were meant to be.

Lola knew she should call Otto and warn him that they were back together, and she should certainly inform the formidable Faye. Then she decided the hell with them, it was her life, she could do whatever she liked.

Wrapping herself in one of Tony's luxurious cashmere robes, she leaned forward, carefully examining her face in the mirror. Fortunately, she was blessed with perfect olive skin, and this morning she was positively glowing. Who needed diamonds when she had Tony?

Thankfully she'd inherited her mother's beauty and her father's zest for living.

Poor Isabelle and Selma had not - they were both quite ordinary-looking. She was the star of the family, although it helped that she was surrounded by experts who helped her look the best she could.

Piling her hair on top of her head, she stuck a pin in it, then returned to the bedroom. 'Tony,' she murmured, leaning over him, her full breasts grazing his chest, 'time to get up. It's way past noon.'

'Oh, baby, baby,' he muttered, throwing out his arms. His chest was covered in a smattering of fine black hair. She would've hated it if he shaved his chest like so many Hollywood actors. She loved the way a thin line of hair headed straight down his stomach, making a steady line towards his crotch, where it curled around the stem of his magnificent cock.

'Tony,' she murmured again, fluttering her fingers lightly across his stomach.

'Lola desires your company, so please quit snoring in my face.'

He opened one eye and squinted at her. 'Who snores, baby? Not me.' He opened his other eye. 'Howya doin'?'

'Sensational, thank you,' she replied, teasing his lips with her tongue.

He undid the tie on her robe. It fell open. He reached in and began squeezing her nipples with his fingertips. 'Gotta say I missed this,' he said, continuing to caress her.

She began stroking his cock, which immediately sprang to attention. 'And I missed this,' she said, in a low, throaty voice.

'Nice,' he said, thrusting himself towards her. 'We both got somethin' we missed.'

She shrugged off her robe.

'Where's your diamond, babe?' he asked.

'I left it on the bedside table.'

'Put it on,' he ordered.

'Now?'

'Yeah, now.'

She picked up the exquisite diamond and fastened the thin chain around her neck.

It hung between her breasts like a talisman.

'Wanna fuck you, babe,' Tony said, pulling her down next to him. 'You and your great big diamond.'

She spread her legs, welcoming him into the place where he truly belonged.

Tony Alvarez was her addiction, and she'd never stopped loving him.

It was a crisp, sunny New York morning. Freddy Krane was in town, so Linc decided to take him on a jog around Central Park. Freddy bitched and moaned, but went along with the programme when Linc insisted it was good for him. 'S' long as we make it to the deli an' have a good brunch,' Freddy said, huffing and puffing as he lagged along behind Linc. 'Don't forget I'm on L.A. time. My stomach's screamin'.'

'All you think about is your goddamn stomach,' Linc remarked, jogging at a steady pace. 'It wouldn't hurt for you to lose a few pounds. You got a gut like a pregnant cow.'

It was impossible to insult Freddy - he was impervious to it. 'Listen to Mr Fit,' Freddy chortled. 'You gotta stay in shape. I don't.'