CHAPTER 49 (2)
Unreal. I rub my forehead. Looking back, I know why I was attracted to Ian. He was older and confident and knew the business. When he advised me, it didn’t come off as controlling, it was helpful. Turned out he liked to advise more than me. I walked in on him in his apartment with an actress who was, apparently, even more desperate for his mentorship than I was. Fuck it. I have bigger things to worry about than him. The café is filling up, and I’m not getting done what I need to here. I remember the piano in Timothy’s office at the studio. Maybe having the instrument in front of me will help. On impulse, I buy a second coffee and take that one, plus the one I’m barely halfway through, with me in Haley’s car. Once I get back to the house, I head around to the patio, letting myself in the side door of the studio. Shane’s not at the desk, and my hands are too full for signing the visitor’s log, so I start down the hall. The first studio is full, and I can see unfamiliar artists recording inside. The door to the second is open. I move toward it, pulling up when a figure comes out first. “Dad!” I exclaim when I nearly bump into him. He looks as surprised as me. “Emily.” We haven’t spoken alone since I’ve been here. I guess we’re speaking now. “I was checking on my investment.” He cuts a look over his shoulder toward the studio, as if expecting someone to appear, but turns back to me almost as fast. “Thank you for offering to help with your sister,” he says. “We started building the label before Haley got pregnant again, and she didn’t want to hold things up.” “Sure.” “You came to watch too?” Shane appears at the end of the hall, bouncing toward me. “They’re so good.” She balks when she realizes my dad is there. “Mr. Eddie Carlton, I’m sorry. I didn’t see you come in.” “Shane, call me Eddie.” “I can’t. It’s weird.” He frowns, uncomfortable. “Well, get over it.” Dad looks between us then heads for the door without another word. “God, I fucked that up, didn’t I?” she breathes. “It’s fine. My dad doesn’t know what to do with candid women who aren’t intimidated by him.” “Is that why he married Haley?” Her mouth rounds. “I didn’t mean it the way it sounds.” But I’m laughing. “Exactly.” I reach for the door and head inside. Timothy’s on the other side of the soundproof glass, arms folded as he listens to the guy that must be my dad’s new protégé play his guitar into the mic. The levels bouncing on the computer screen tell me they’re recording something. My attention is all on Timothy. He’s gorgeous and breathtaking, and parts of me that felt like they were asleep these past months are suddenly awake again. The kid catches us watching and grins, cocky. His attention still on us, he messes up and Timothy shifts off the wall and jerks the door between us. “Get out,” he says to the boy. “Eddie wouldn’t—” “I don’t care what Eddie would. You have a problem, you can go take it up with him. But I promise you, he gives less fucks than I do.” The kid stalks out the door, kicking a wall on the way. Timothy emerges next, and he’s more frustrated than his charge. I know the feeling. Since Ian’s voicemail, I’m on edge, ready to rip into someone. Timothy’s gaze warms as he spots me. I resist the urge to run my hands over my clothes before his attention lands on the cup in my hands. “You brought me a present.” His words strokes over my skin, tugs between my thighs. “Assuming you take it more cream than coffee, yes. It’s a thank you for using the piano in your office. Which isn’t technically your office, but I wanted to be polite. I thought you might not even be here given you have that benefit concert in LA tomorrow night.” “I’m leaving in the morning.” He hits a few keystrokes on the computer setup, frowning. “But you’re coming back?” Not that I care. I’m being polite. “The day after. When’d you use the piano?” “I’m about to.” I take a sip of my coffee and make a face. “The coffee’s a bit cold.” “I’ll microwave it for you!” Shane grabs the second cup from me and dashes out toward the kitchenette. When she’s gone, I say, “You’ve got yourself a fan club.” Timothy shakes his head. His mouth curves in a gorgeous half smile as he finishes working on the computer. “The girl knows music. But my heart’s unavailable.” My chest caves in a little. Timothy let me in once. The idea he hasn’t let anyone in since feels tragic. My hand strays to one of the buttons in front of us and Timothy’s fingers close over mine. “Don’t touch my board.” “You used to like it when I touched your board.” His eyes darken, in arousal or warning or hell, maybe both. Avery's words come back to me. Hot rebound sex. I shove them down.
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