Love Makes the Difference (Sully Point Book 1) by Nicole Smith Page B

be
attached to his real name. But then the books had taken off. And suddenly he
was dealing with fans, movies, paparazzi, and everyone wanting a piece of Tom
Anders. At that point he was very glad to have the pseudonym, to have a place
where he could be a regular person.
    Now, after he'd spent time watching Anna as she ventured
forth from her hiding place, he wondered. Wondered if it might be time to give
up the pen name and write under his real name. He should talk to Norman about
it. Although, Norm would probably flip out. 'We'll lose sales!' Sam could
already hear the arguments. They'd have to figure out the best way to do it.
    He found his thoughts going to Anna again, and their date.
He had the feeling she hadn't dated much, but had lived in her own little
world. If he could convince her to let Stanley, his friend with the gallery,
come look at her paintings her world might get a whole lot bigger. Still, the
one thing he was beginning to see about Anna was she could stand up for
herself. She wasn't some helpless fainting violet. All anyone had to do was
look at her paintings to see that. Who she was as a person came through in her
work--an intense, vibrant, strong woman. His attentions may have thrown her off
her game a bit, but he had no doubt she would adjust to having him in her life,
if that was what she wanted.
    The phone rang. Before Sam could even say hello, Norm's
voice came out of the phone.
    "Sam, it's Patrice. She's found out where you are. I
think she might show up there. Bribed my damn mail clerk. I'm sorry about this
pal, but I thought I should tell you right away."
    Sam sat up abruptly in his chair. "Patrice? Here? Norm,
I so don't need that right now. Damn. When did she find out?"
    "Last night, from what I could tell this morning before
I fired the mail clerk. So you could be seeing her today."
    "Great, just great." He listened to Norm splutter
on about unreliable employees and confidentiality clauses. Finally he
interrupted the flow of words.
    "Norm, listen Norm, I've decided something. I think we
ought to get rid of the pen name. Tell the world it's me writing the books.
There's no point to having Tom Anders anymore. I was thinking--"
    "Are you nuts? Where do you come up with these screwy
ideas? Tom Anders is well-established, everyone knows who he is. I can't
believe you'd think this was a good idea. Just what are you smoking out there
on the beach?"
    Sam sighed. He could picture his pudgy friend turning red in
the face. "Okay calm down and think. Wouldn't it be an even bigger story
to finally come out of the closet so to speak? I'm sure we'd have the same or
more sales. And I'm tired of it Norm, tired of pretending. I never thought it
would all get so big."
    Norm was silent for a full minute, and Sam could sense his
mind racing. "Yeah, yeah maybe I could do something with this. Let me
think about it and don't go making any announcements until you talk to me
first. In the meantime, you be on the lookout for that piranha, Patrice."
    "I will. I'll deal with her if she shows up, never
fear." As Sam hung up the phone he could feel his expression turn grim. If
he knew Patrice, she would be coming here for two reasons. She either wanted
him to take her back, or she wanted to hurt him in some way. Yes, he'd
definitely be on the lookout.
    * * * *
    Holly turned to face Anna outside the second store they'd
been in, clearly aggravated. "Anna, listen to me. Either you don't want to
go out with this guy or you do--make up your mind. Because if you do, you want
to look your best. Stop being such a pest! Nothing appeals to you."
    Anna held up a hand. "Hang on, nothing appeals to me
because you keep picking out stuff I'd never wear. Ruffles, satin, sparkly
stuff. You can get away with wearing some of that kind of thing, but not me. I
want something comfortable, that doesn't look like it belongs on someone other
than me. Is that too much to ask?"
    Holly realized she'd been underestimating Anna again.
Sometimes it was