Holding the Dream Read Free Page B

little, Kate turned to her friend. In a blue chenille robe, with her tumbled blond hair, Margo looked stunning and sultry and sleek. “No one would ever accuse you of being ordinary, pal. Obnoxious, conceited, rude, and a royal pain in the ass, yes, but never ordinary.”
    Margo raised a brow and grinned. “I can always count on you. Anyway, speaking of ordinary, how stuck do you think Laura really is on Peter Ridgeway?”
    â€œI don’t know.” Kate gnawed on her lip. “She’s been dreamy-eyed over him ever since Uncle Tommy transferred him out here. I wish he was still managing Templeton Chicago.” Then she shrugged. “He must be good at his job or Uncle Tommy and Aunt Susie wouldn’t have promoted him.”
    â€œKnowing how to manage a hotel has nothing to do with it. Mr. and Mrs. T have dozens of managers all over the world. This is the only one Laura’s gone over on. Kate, if she marries him . . .”
    â€œYeah.” Kate blew out a breath. “It’s her decision. Her life. Christ, I can’t imagine why anyone would want to get tied down that way.”
    â€œNeither can I.” Stubbing the cigarette out, Margo lay back. “I’m not going to. I’m going to make a splash in this world.”
    â€œMe, too.”
    Margo slanted Kate a look. “Keeping books? That’s more like a slow drip.”
    â€œYou splash your way, I’ll splash mine. This time next year I’ll be in college.”
    Margo shuddered. “What a hideous thought!”
    â€œYou’ll be there, too,” Kate reminded her. “If you don’t tank your SAT.”
    â€œWe’ll see about that.” College wasn’t on Margo’s agenda. “I say we find Seraphina’s dowry and take that trip around the world we used to talk about. There are places I want to see while I’m still young. Rome and Greece, Paris, Milan, London.”
    â€œThey’re impressive.” Kate had seen them. The Templetons had taken her—and would have taken Margo as well if Ann had allowed it. “I see you marrying a rich guy, bleeding him dry, and jet-setting all over.”
    â€œNot a bad fantasy.” Amused by it, Margo stretched her arms. “But I’d rather be rich myself and just have a platoon of lovers.” At the sound in the hall, she shoved the ashtray under the folds of her robe. “Laura.” Blowing out a breath, she sat up. “You scared the wits out of me.”
    â€œSorry, couldn’t sleep.”
    â€œJoin the party,” Kate invited. “We were planning our future.”
    â€œOh.” With a soft, secret smile, Laura knelt on the rug. “That’s nice.”
    â€œHold on.” Eyes sharp, Margo shifted and took Laura’s chin in her hand. After a moment’s study, she let out a breath. “Okay, you didn’t do it with him.”
    Flushing, Laura batted Margo’s hand away. “Of course I didn’t. Peter would never pressure me.”
    â€œHow do you know she didn’t?” Kate demanded.
    â€œYou can tell. I don’t think you should have sex with him, Laura, but if you’re seriously thinking marriage, you’d better try him on first.”
    â€œSex isn’t a pair of shoes,” Laura muttered.
    â€œBut it sure as hell better fit.”
    â€œWhen I make love the first time, it’s going to be with my husband on our wedding night. That’s the way I want it.”
    â€œUh-oh, she’s got that Templeton edge in her voice.” Grinning, Kate tugged on a curl falling over Laura’s ear.“Un-budgable. Don’t listen to Margo, Laura. In her head, sex is equated with salvation.”
    Margo lit another cigarette. “I’d like to know what tops it.”
    â€œLove,” Laura stated.
    â€œSuccess,” Kate said at the same time. “Well, that sums it up.” Kate wrapped her arms around her knees.