To Cherish and To Hold (Love of a Rockstar #1.5) by Nicole Simone Read Free Book Online Page A

his revengeful ex-wife.”
    “He doesn’t have an uncle or much family to speak of.”
    My grandmother looked at me suspiciously from underneath her eyelashes. “What’s wrong?”
    “Nothing. He’s busy in the studio and I don’t want to bother him.”
    “Well, too bad. He’s going to get bothered if you want this wedding to happen. Now, go!”
    I reluctantly rose off the couch. Luke didn’t normally lock the door to the basement, but I wouldn’t put it past him if he did this time. He didn’t like to lick his wounds in public. The knob turned easily in my hand. A breath I didn’t know I was holding expelled. A bare light bulb flickered overhead as I descended. Damp earth greeted my nostrils. Through the second door and a narrow hallway, the space opened into a single room. Luke had designed the recording studio after he read a book on feng shui . My eyes roamed the area and found him in the corner. His hair covered his face like a curtain as he bent forward, strumming on a guitar. Headphones covered his ears. He looked like the young musician I’d fallen in love with all those years ago. Sensing my presence, our gazes locked. A flash of pleasure ignited in his stare but it quickly faded into raw betrayal. My knees wanted to buckle at his feet, but begging obviously wasn’t the answer. What was eluded me.
    He slipped off the headphones. “Hey.”
    “Hey. My grandmother is upstairs and wants to work on the seating arrangement for our wedding.”
    “Can it wait? I’m busy.”
    “I’m afraid not. She’s a very determined lady.”
    Luke met my smile with a grimace. He unhurriedly unplugged his guitar from his amp and gestured for me to lead the way.
    Halfway down the hallway, I looked back and joked. “We should have eloped instead.”
    “Yeah, I guess.”
    The detachment of his voice caused a pit of despair to form in my stomach. Did my one mistake ruin the future of Mrs. and Mr. Anderson?

M y grandmother and Nil sat on the floor, playing with Nil’s latest obsession, her dollhouse. Miniature furniture decorated the carpet, as did miniature people, clothes, and accessories. My mother had gone slightly overboard on the presents to her granddaughter. Although, the dollhouse did retain Nil’s attention for hours.
    “Mom, I’m going to help you plan your wedding,” Nil said.
    “That’s great, sweetie.”
    Luke shoved his hands into his pockets, mouth grim. He could at least pretend as if he wanted to be here. My family rolled in gossip like pigs in mud. If they sensed the slightest wink of distress, it would be broadcast across the phone lines from the east coast to the west coast. My grandmother whispered something in Nil’s ear. She giggled and offered her pinky. They shook on whatever deal they hedged.
    “You two,” Grandma pointed to Luke and me. “In the kitchen.”
    “Why?” My arms crossed in defiant stubbornness. “I thought we were going to do the seating arrangement.”
    “Marlene, don’t test me.”
    She was bossy before she escaped on her honeymoon but she’d returned as a Russian dictator. Stomping into the kitchen, I plopped into a seat at the table. Luke did the same. Neither of us wanted to be there and I took a small inkling of solace in that.
    My grandmother folded herself into the chair. “You can’t go into a marriage with unresolved issues. They will fester into resentment so start talking. What happened?”
    Luke and I shared a glance, neither one of us willing to spill the beans on our private matters.
    Luke sighed, irritated. “This is considered a hostage situation.”
    “I don’t see any ties or ropes binding you to the chair,” she said. “You are free to leave.” As Luke began to do exactly that, she spoke. “But if you disappear into that dingy basement, consider that your first step to divorce.”
    Dramatic, but it worked.
    Luke sunk back into his chair, which gave me hope that this issue between us could be repaired. Although, I wished he didn’t have