Body Chemistry Read Free

holding. “This book says Everton-Ay—”
    “Yes,” Brenda interrupted. “That was my married name. How may I help you?” she said, trying to keep any irritation from her tone, but she was in no mood to chat at that time of the night. She only cared about getting a cup of coffee and finding a way to get additional funding.
    The young woman stood in front of her, blocking her path. Brenda recognized the book immediately: Biological Illustrations. The woman awkwardly flipped through the pages and pointed to a pen and ink illustration of a frog. “This is your work, right?”
    “Yes, a long time ago.” She tried to maintain a calm composure, not wanting to appear too brittle, but could feel her patience begin to wane. Get to the point .
    The young woman then pulled out a small drawing pad hidden under her coat and shyly showed Brenda a sketch. “I just wondered what you think of this.” Brenda looked at the illustration. It was a crudely drawn sketch of a daffodil, which she could barely see under the poor lighting. Unexpectedly, an errant rain drop fell onto the drawing and smudged a line.
    It was awful. The proportions were all wrong and unless the girl was trying for impressionism, Brenda knew she should give up the attempt altogether. But at that moment Brenda wasn’t in the mood to critique. If she did, she knew her words would be harsh. “You must have an art instructor. Why ask me?” Brenda said politely closing the pad, then pushing it back in the direction of the woman.
    “Because I admire you.”
    “Really?” she said surprised and somewhat pleased.
    “Yes.”
    “Why?”
    “Because you were married to Dominic Ayers.”

Chapter 2
     
    B renda wanted to wring the woman’s neck as she became more animated. “I just saw him on the Nature channel yesterday and about died. He’s gorgeous. You are so lucky.”
    “You mean were. We’re divorced.”
    The woman looked at Brenda as though she were insane. “I can’t believe you let him go.”
    “How did you find out about me?” Brenda asked sharply.
    “The Internet of course,” the woman said, as though the answer were obvious.
    Brenda silently swore. She’d fallen for the ploy.
    The young woman wasn’t interested in her opinion of her artwork; she just wanted to use them to get close to her, hoping to score with her ex.
    “Well, you can be lucky too. He’s still single and likes ladies of all ages.” Brenda buttoned the top of her coat and began walking, eager to escape the chilly, damp air and rain-soaked sidewalk.
    The woman walked beside her. “What is he like? I mean, I know he’s gorgeous but he also comes across a little dangerous and wild. Is he?”
    Brenda flashed a malicious smile. “He’s even more so in person.”
    “Wow.” The woman held her sketchbook close to her chest and closed her eyes.
    Brenda rolled her own, then glanced at her watch. “Excuse me.” She tucked her leather briefcase under her arm, opened her umbrella, deliberately pointing it in the woman’s direction, forcing her to take several steps backward, and hurried across the street fuming. Every time she thought Dominic was out of her life he would barge back in. Why did he have to be so famous?
    How could she have known a simple biology graduate would become a respected filmmaker, produce award-winning documentaries, write bestselling books, start two travel companies for the layperson interested in scientific excursions and host an internationally known television series? How could she have known that the man she’d fallen in love with would continue to bury her in the shadow of his acclaim?
    She couldn’t escape him. She’d always be his ex, something she couldn’t ignore or brush aside, no matter how tired she was of people using her to try to get close to him. Unfortunately, it was nothing new. It had been the same during their marriage. If only he’d just remarry and get the scent off of her. But that wasn’t her problem right now. Right now she