Aileen's Song by Marianne Evans Read Free Book Online

look. “But nothing. After that performance, you’re going to tell me you’d be happy teaching? You’re luminous. You belong on the stage.”
    She laughed, and the merriment of her reaction skidded straight into his heart.
    “C’mon, Liam. You, better than most, would understand the impracticality of me attempting a life of concert performance.”
    “No, actually I don’t.”
    She stared at him, her playful smile faltering. “All right then, I’ll spell it out for you. I don’t fit the mold—in any way. Sure, I can sing. I’ll grant you that. But I’m not…”
    “You’re not what?”
    He enunciated each word, firm and forthright. He knew right where this conversation was headed. He also knew she could do incredible things if she’d untie herself from constraint—and fear. He could tell she didn’t want to delineate what she felt were her flaws, but that’s exactly what he wanted her to do. That way, he could help to obliterate them.
    “Out with it, Aileen. Quit hiding.”
    “I’m doing no such thing.”
    “Oh yes you are, so stop acting, because you can’t fool me. I’ve known you too long. Your face speaks volumes. You’re expressive. Everything you are comes straight into the open, like a conduit from your heart. That’s why you’re so compelling. That’s why the audience loves you. You draw them in naturally. What’s the real issue here?”
    She cast a cautious, gauging glance across the nearly empty cafe yet leaned forward as though to insure privacy. Her eyes shot fire. “OK, fine.” The words came in a low growl. “I’ll embarrass myself by being flat-out honest. I’m not a size zero fashion plate. I don’t want to fall into that trap. I don’t want the pressure of image and physicality. I won’t dress in scanty clothes and parade around a stage in stilettos.”
    Liam opened his mouth, ready to shoot off a retort.
    She closed her eyes briefly and lifted a hand. “I know, I know. I’m not fat. I get that, too. I’m curvy. I’m cute and playful. I’m not sexy. I’m not come-hither—nor do I want to be. I’m not what modern culture wants. I’d be a flop. Hence my plans to teach.”
    “You’re wrong. You and the girls are precisely what modern culture is searching for without even realizing it. Each one of you is fun-loving, charming, glamorous, and gifted.” Liam pushed ahead, pointing a finger in her direction. “I think you’re deliberately underestimating your presence and impact because you’re afraid. You owned that stage, Aileen. You came alive. You made an entire audience fall in love with you. Know why?”
    She inched back slowly, eyes wide. She shook her head, visibly startled.
    “You’re beautiful, inside and out. You toss quips about stilettos and curves, but that’s nothing more than cosmetic trapping. Your music is transcendent. You’re right when you say you’re not a skinny pop queen. Thank God for that. You’d never need to rely on cultural whims and marketing in order to be a success. Instead, you’re timeless. You’re elegant. Your music, your personality, speaks to people.”
    She didn’t speak—she stared. Aileen breathed deep, and he could have sworn she trembled.
    “Have I hit home, perhaps?” Liam folded his hands neatly and waited in deliberate challenge. “Furthermore, have I managed the miracle of leaving you tongue-tied? If so, then my work here is done.”
    “What work would that be?”
    “The job I’m taking on to get you into a recording studio with the other Sisters in Spirit. Think of it—putting together a demo—cutting an album and making a name for a group built on the concept of God’s power through music and dance. How’s that for marketing? And that’s just for starters.”
    She gaped all over again.
    “While you changed clothes after the reception, I went back to the theater. I sat in the empty hall and scribbled notes that’ll become a formal pitch session to sign the group. I’ve already gotten handshake