Music of the Heart by Harper Brooks Read Free Book Online Page B

live under a rock, Cross?  Her music is with JMA Music Group.  She’s famous, you dumb ass.  How do you not know this?”
     
                  When Merritt finally shuts up, it hits me that this is the girl from the poster in Nashville.  It’s her face I saw in the hall of JMA Music Group.  That’s why she looks so familiar to me.  I thought she was pretty then but she is absolutely stunning in person. 
     
                  As the girls start to talk amongst themselves, Dixon and Reed walk up to me.  Dixon starts to talk.
     
    “She’s also the girl I told you about in your office the other day.  You still think the picture I painted of her is an ugly one?”
     
    With that one question, Dixon walks away to find Ava and I’m left here trying to figure out what the hell is going on.
     
     
     
     
     
     
    Chapter Seven
     
    ASHLEIGH
     
                  I’m really not sure what just happened.  I’ve never had such a strong feeling around someone I don’t know before.  Elizabeth has now whisked me away to introduce me to several of her good friends and contributors to the benefit.  Occasionally, I steal a glance at Cross and every single time he is looking at me as well.
     
                  Merritt’s mom, Victoria, joins us with the introductions and after about thirty minutes of it, I am ready to go back to my friends.  I look around for one of my friends but when I see them, they are deep in a conversation with someone.  I need someone to rescue me!
     
                  “Mom, Victoria, I’m going to steal Ashleigh away if you don’t mind.  There are some friends Merritt wants to introduce her to.  Plus, it’s getting close to dinner time.”
     
                  “Oh honey, y’all go on.  Sorry we’ve been keeping you with us Ashleigh. Just wanted to show you off.  Y’all go mingle until it’s time to eat.”
     
                  With that, I give Elizabeth and Victoria both a quick hug and then turn to walk away.  It’s at that moment that I feel Cross’s hand practically burning into the small of my back.  He’s placed his hand there to guide me through the crowd and I almost can’t handle it.
                 
                  “Um, thank you for rescuing me.  I love them both but I think they would have continued introducing me to people all night if I would have let them.”
     
                  “No problem.  I thought you might be getting tired of all those boring introductions.  I know I hate when my mom does that to me.”
     
                  We continue walking in silence over to our friends.  Merritt turns to see me and I must have a strange look on my face because she pulls me to the side away from everyone.
     
                  “Hey, you okay?  You don’t look so well.”
     
                  “I’m fine Merritt.  Just a little tired of meeting people tonight.  Your mom and Elizabeth kept me out there for quite a while.  I couldn’t tell you a single person I met.  Plus, I am starving.  I hope it’s time to eat soon.”
     
                  As I am talking to Merritt, two arms come around and squeeze me in a big bear hug from behind me.  I yell out in surprise and turn around when I am set down. 
     
                  “Keith, I didn’t know you would be here.  Oh my goodness, I have missed you so much.”
     
                  I give him a big kiss on his cheek and another big hug.  Keith Rivers is a football player for the Georgia Falcons.  He’s a few years older than me but one of the first new friends I made when I moved here.  We tried dating but quickly learned we were better off as friends.  Now, he’s like a big brother to me. 
     
                  “I’ve missed you too baby girl.  The invitation to come tonight was extended to all the