If I Loved You (Hollywood Hearts 1) by Jean C. Joachim Read Free Book Online Page B

was over, Megan blew out a breath and closed the songbook. He can’t know what I’m thinking. Cool down, girl. You don’t know him well…remember, he’s a client.
    “I’d better go.” Chaz removed his hand from her shoulder.
    She followed him to the door.
    He turned toward her. “Can I ask you a favor?”
    “Anything,” she replied.
    “Anything?” He got a sexy gleam in his eye as he raised his eyebrows. His kissable lips curled in an inviting smile.
    Megan smacked him playfully on the shoulder. “Almost anything…you know what I mean. What?”
    “You play so well…I’m auditioning for a Broadway musical…”
    “Broadway?”
    “I have to sing for the audition and need a place to practice…”
    “You want to practice here? With me playing?” She folded her hands together in front of her chest.
    “It’d be hard work. I’ve been taking voice lessons, but I’m far from Broadway quality. This means endless repetition…”
    “Yes!” Megan clapped her hands together. Okay, now you’re officially a groupie.
    “I won’t take my business away from Dillon & Weed if you say no . This is strictly personal…it’s okay to…”
    “I’d love to! How exciting…training a Broadway star!” She clapped her hands together.
    “I don’t have the part yet,” he laughed.
    “You will.”
    “Thank you so much. Can we start in a couple of weeks, as soon as I finish this PBS series?”
    “Of course. By the way, when was the last time you had a home-cooked meal?”
    “I don’t know…maybe ten years ago.”
    “Oh my God. First session, I’m making you dinner.”
    “Can’t wait.” He stepped closer to her. Chaz brushed a strand of hair out of her eyes. He leaned over to kiss her tenderly. “Good night, Meg.” His breath tickled her.
    “Good night.” She touched his cheek for a moment.
    Megan watched him walk down the hall. The elevator arrived quickly. She smiled to see it was empty before he got in. No one to make him uncomfortable. With a quick wave of his hand, he was gone. The hall seemed to shrink after the elevator doors closed. The lights in the apartment appeared dimmer when she went inside. The lack of his presence made her home feel empty.
    Meg undressed and slid into bed. Even after several drinks, she didn’t feel tired. Her mind was spinning. I’ve got to practice. How can I be good enough to rehearse with Chaz Duncan? Gotta get the piano tuned. As she started to make a mental to-do list, sleep overtook her.
     
    * * * *
     
    May was a beautiful month in New York City, but Chaz did not see the sun because he spent his days inside a studio. Filming twelve episodes of the American History program went on until nine o’clock every night. The compressed schedule was necessary, since the show was scheduled to begin airing on July fourth. Bobby had the limo at the studio door at rehearsal’s end, waiting to drive Chaz to The Wellington Arms, Quinn Roberts’ posh building on Central Park West at Seventy-Fourth Street.
    Quinn —standing over six feet tall with brown hair and blue eyes—was between films and lounging at home. When his film series The Adventures of Joe Martin was on hiatus, Quinn relaxed in his roomy apartment. He welcomed Chaz’s company, and Chaz saved money on a hotel by staying with Quinn. Besides, he enjoyed hanging out with his old friend. Chaz trusted Quinn…they had been through adventures together.
    “Beer?” Quinn asked Chaz as he closed the front door.
    “Got something stronger?”
    “ Absolut ?”
    “Perfect. Rocks?”
    Quinn gave him thumbs up before disappearing into the kitchen. Chaz leaned against the front door for a moment then made his way to the chocolate brown suede sofa. He plopped down. Quinn returned with a glass of vodka on the rocks in one hand and a bottle of beer in the other.
    “Tough day?”
    Chaz nodded as he took a big swig of his drink. “‘Mrs. Jefferson’ doesn’t know her lines.” Chaz toed off his shoes.
    “Who is it?”