The Redhead Revealed

“You know me way too well, Hamilton. It’s a little frightening sometimes.” I squealed as his kisses became more and more persistent.

“I do know you, Sheridan, and I love you.”

“I know.” I winked and managed to get out of his grasp. I got halfway up the steps before I felt his hands grab my waist again and begin to work at the knot in my sarong.

I turned and looked into his eyes. The green was getting darker by the second.

That green belonged to me.

***

From StarTracks magazine, press date December 31:

Rumors continue to swirl regarding the whereabouts of popular Time actor Jack Hamilton. Last seen in London’s Heathrow Airport just before the holidays, he has since fallen completely off the radar. Fans want to know where he is—and they’re getting desperate.

Stories have been percolating since late summer about the possibility of Jack being involved with an older woman—a redhead he was spotted with in L.A. on numerous occasions. This woman, eventually revealed to be stage actress Grace Sheridan, 33, shares Jack’s manager, Holly Newman. Although the entire management team has denied claims that Jack is romantically linked to her—nine years his senior!—the internet has been flooded with pictures of them together. After Sheridan attended the Time premiere in Los Angeles, the rumor resurfaced, along with pictures of the pair in New York City, where the two looked cozy as they walked in Central Park.

When asked for comment, Newman said, “They’re great friends. They met at a party I hosted for several of my clients months ago. They’re thrown together a lot. They’re not a couple.”

Nevertheless, for many fans, whether he’s disappeared with Grace or not, the question still remains: Where have you gone, Jack Hamilton?

Coming Soon: Book Three in the Redhead series

I sat back in my chair, breathing in through the nose and out through the mouth, just like they always tell you to. My heart was pounding, my pulse was racing, and my palms currently were more clammy than a bowl of chowder.

To calm myself and take the attention off my nerves, I allowed my eyes to sweep across the room, again taking in the congratulations balloons in the corner, the tasteful bouquet of sugar-pink peonies on the table in front of the sofa, and the strategically placed bowls of hard candy scattered about. As my gaze roamed, it landed back in the mirror directly in front of me. I studied my face as I continued to work through my breathing.

Hey, fruitcake, you got this. No sweat.

I do have this. You’re right.

I glanced down at the stack of magazines next to me, gri

As usual, when my thoughts drifted to Jack a little flutter ran through my tummy on its way to setting up shop somewhere decidedly south. Before my mind could go full gutter, I heard a loud knock on the door, and my heart resumed its pounding. So much for the damn yoga breathing.

“Ms. Sheridan, you’re wanted on set,” the second assistant director called through the door.

First day on the set of my new series. No big thing.

Really big thing.

That’s what she said.

I grabbed my script, gave a final tousle to my curls, and thunked down the steps of my trailer.

I had a trailer!

I gave a big smile to the woman who’d knocked on the door. “No Ms. Sheridan. Please call me Grace,” I told her as I headed out to find Michael.

Acknowledgments

To my Omnific family—thank you for the encouragement and constant support. To my dear friend and editor, Jessica, who has pushed and challenged me in all the right ways. To my parents, who have always been amazing. And to my very dear girlfriends, who I modeled the character of Holly after. Thank you for remaining silly with me. And finally to all the Nuts Girls out there…schmaltz.

About the Author

Alice Clayton attended University of Missouri, with an emphasis on Theater Arts. She now makes her home in South St. Louis City, where she shares her life with her longtime boyfriend, Peter, and their children of the four-legged variety.

Visit her website: www.aliceclayton.com