To: Andrew Folly Subject: re: Scenic shots Dear Folly: So sorry to disappoint, but I got plenty of footage. If I were you, I'd be careful not to underestimate my ability to get what I want.

Julia Scarlet Boudreaux To: Julia Boudreaux From: Katherine Bloom Subject: Wow

What did you say to Andrew? He's practically spitting nails he's so mad. I'd be careful if I were you, Jules.

Kate

Katherine C. Bloom News Anchor, KTEX TV, West Texas

To: Katherine Bloom From: Julia Boudreaux Subject: re: Wow Not to worry about me, sugar. I'm back. And I don't mean simply that I'm back from that hideous tram ride. I clearly wasn't meant to be a good girl. I don't have a clue who Julia Boudreaux really is, but whoever I was has to be good enough.

Watch out, West Texas.

xo, j To: Julia Boudreaux From: Katherine Bloom Subject: Oh dear

What do you mean, Watch out, West Texas? Don't tell me you're going to do something crazy.

Though I have to admit, I miss the old Julia. But whoever you are, or whoever you want to be, you know I love you.

Kate

p.s. Seeing Folly spit nails is the happiest I've seen this office since the day he arrived.

To: Katherine Bloom From: Julia Boudreaux Subject: Born to serve I'm happy to oblige and offer a bit of relief for the staff at KTEX TV. I miss them all. And hopefully as soon as I finish this show I'll be back, installed in my old office. He better not have messed with my purple leopard-print sofa.

Juliet-back and better than ever at 28.

To: Julia Boudreaux Katherine Bloom From: Chloe Sinclair Subject: Should be shot Julia, I can't believe we forgot your birthday!!

HAPPY HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! As soon as I get back, we'll have a huge celebration!

Lots of love, Chloe To: Julia Boudreaux Chloe Sinclair From: Katherine Bloom Subject: re: Should be shot Julia, I have no excuse! I'm here in town and forgot. The only thing I can say is that I've been dealing with an assortment of jealous females. It's disconcerting, all the women who throw themselves at Jesse-regardless of the fact that I'm standing right there, and frequently he's holding my hand!

But I'll make it up to you! Promise.

K To: Chloe Sinclair Katherine Bloom From: Julia Boudreaux Subject: No problem Don't give it another thought. I know you both adore me. And when you get back, I promise we're going to have more to celebrate than just my birthday. I'm just about finished with my show. It's going to be great.

As to jealous women, forget them. Jesse loves you. He married you. Not any of those groupies.

xo, j To: Julia Boudreaux Chloe Sinclair From: Katherine Bloom Subject: Never fail You always know what to say. Thanks!

Love, K p.s. are you coming over tomorrow for Thanksgiving dinner?

To: Katherine Bloom From: Julia Boudreaux Subject: Thanksgiving Thanks for the invite. But I already have plans.

xo, j Chapter Nineteen Right or wrong, good or bad, Julia Boudreaux was back.

With purpose ticking through her, she pulled on a leopard-print wrap dress that outlined her breasts, and fell over her hips like a sensual caress. She added a pair of four-inch come-fuck-me pumps.

She was finished with trying to be someone she wasn't. If she was going to fail, she was going to fail in the style she had always lived.

Putting on a pair of glittery earrings, Julia acknowledged that she had been avoiding Ben for the last two days. She hadn't a clue what he had done for Thanksgiving, and she felt a tad guilty that he either had to fend for himself or had to make do with a meal at some place like Luby's Cafeteria. But she hadn't been able to take on both Ben and the first holiday she had spent without her father. Too much emotion-and she was tired of emotion.

She shuddered. Julia Boudreaux, the woman who had always been the picture of strength and resolve . . . had been an emotional basket case. In front of Ben. Worse, she had told him her secrets, too-all because she had gotten stuck on a tram.

Julia scoffed at herself when she remembered, embarrassment burning through her cheeks. But the embarrassment went beyond that single incident. She had been weak for nearly a month now. It was time it stopped.

She smoothed her dress and breathed deeply. Yes, Julia Boudreaux was back.

Adrenaline coursed through her as if she had to make up for lost time. She had to make sure everything was in order to tape the final segment of Primal Guy. She was going to blow Andrew Folly's socks off.

Rob and Todd were ready. Rocco was ready. His house was as good as it was going to get. And she had contacted the woman he wanted to ask out. When Julia had said she was calling for Rocco Russo, the woman had started to hang up. But Julia had acted quickly, promising that the man had changed. It hadn't been easy, but by the end of the conversation Fiona Branch had been intrigued enough with the promise of a changed man who adored her to give in and say yes.

On the day of the final taping, Todd was waiting for her in the kitchen when she entered.

Ben was waiting, too.

"Good morning," he said, turning away from the stove, a skillet in his hand as he looked at her.

The darkness of his eyes sent a shiver of longing through her. They'd had wild, passionate sex just as each of them knew they would one day. And that was all it was. Mad, wild, uncommitted sex.

Which made her heart twist.

That was the thing. When she was up in that idiotic tram, she'd had the bone chilling realization that she was falling for Ben Prescott. Falling hard. She felt vulnerable and needy, and she suddenly had an appreciation for all those women who called, desperate to speak to Ben. She had become one of those women-or rather, she was concerned that she could be. And that she wouldn't let happen.

She also refused to let him know more about her than he already did. She had never admitted to Chloe or Kate her fear of heights. Or her fear that her father would think she was boring or weak. In a course

of a few minutes she had spilled her secrets to this man. And it really ticked her off.

Ben looked her up and down, taking in the sexy dress and high-heeled shoes. She could tell from his expression that he instantly got what was going on.

"Welcome back," he said, his full lips quirking at one corner.

It wasn't until then that she noticed Todd was taping the whole thing.

"Todd, really. Don't waste the tape."

"What do you mean? Ben, in an apron, cooking is a first ever. I have to get this down as proof. No one

would believe me otherwise."

"Okay, wise guy," Ben said with a fond laugh. "Turn it off."

Todd chuckled as he backed away, heading for the door.

Ben started serving onto plates. It wasn't until then that she noticed the kitchen table was set with fresh

fruit, toast, orange juice that she could tell was fresh squeezed, and bacon. Her stomach grumbled.

"Have a seat," he said, holding out a chair for her.

They stood close, their eyes locked, before she blinked.

"Thanks, but I don't have time."

The disappointment on his face nearly made her reconsider. But she couldn't afford to reconsider. She

had to shore up her defenses. And before she could change her mind, she grabbed up the purse and keys that had been delivered to her the day before, along with her car.

"Come on, Todd. Let's go meet Rob at Rocco's house."

They arrived at Rocco's little cottage in the neighborhood called Kern Place. Driving up, Julia felt some of her trepidation ease. The flowers and plants gave the house a different look. As soon as she stepped inside, she was pleased that Rocco had kept everything clean.

On top of that, the table was set with china and fresh flowers. The kitchen was filled with the aroma of cooking. Rocco had taken the groceries she had bought the day before, along with all her detailed instructions and recipes, and had already started preparing a feast. He'd even gone out and gotten a bottle of champagne that he had chilling in a bucket.

A sigh of relief passed through her that she hadn't been wrong about him. He did want this to work as badly as she did.

"Hi!" she said.

Rocco's head jerked up like he hadn't heard her walk in. When he glanced at her, he looked nervous.

"Fiona should be here any minute," she said.

He grunted. "Yeah."

"What?"

"Ah, umm, yes." He shook himself, like he was shaking away the old caveman.

But Julia couldn't tamp down the jab of fear that followed in the wake of her short-lived relief.

Something felt wrong.

"Is everything okay?" she asked.

"Yes, Julia. Everything is wonderful."

She didn't believe him, and her concern spiked when the doorbell rang. Julia took a deep breath and

stood back as Rob taped Rocco opening the door.

"Fiona," her Primal Guy said.

Julia hoped the camera caught the look of surprise on the woman's face, her blue eyes lighting up, her

lips parting.

"Rocco?"

The Primal Guy smiled beautifully and held out his arms. "Surprise."

"Oh, my gosh! You look amazing!"

Rocco dipped his head, almost a shy gesture, his blond hair falling forward. "Do you think?"

He opened the door wider and his date stepped inside. That's when Fiona noticed the camera.

"Oh," she squeaked, her hand immediately coming up to smooth her hair.