Read Online Beautiful Music by Lisa DeVore - Free Book Online Page B

number, Sugar.” She seductively ran her index finger down the side of his face and winked.
    From the sounds coming from Jena’s chair, Chase knew she was angry. “Have a nice evening, Mia.”
    Knowing he couldn’t avoid her wrath for the rest of the evening he attempted an apology.
    ****
    Despite the buzzing in her ears she caught him say, “I’m sorry about that.”
    “I can’t leave you alone for a minute, can I? The life of a rock star.” She attempted to cover her irritation with humor. The way she was clenching her fists under the table told her she was unsuccessful.
    “That part I could do without,” he sighed.
    “Oh, I bet,” Jena uttered cynically.
    “Seriously, that’s not what I want out of life. Gets old. Are you mad?”
    “Honestly?” she tilted her head with a pause. “I am mad, but not at you. I can’t believe the gall of some women. For all she knew we were a couple, and she’s…she’s…propositioning you right under my nose!” Tracking down the bimbo appealed to Jena. She scanned the restaurant.
    “Take it easy,” Chase chuckled. “She’s nothing. Don’t let her ruin our evening, okay?”
    Jena shifted in her seat. “I’m perfectly fine.”
    “Do you know what you want to eat? The waiter is stalking us.”
    She picked up her menu and opened it once more, lowered it again, and took in a deep breath. “At least I’m not a real girlfriend.”
    “We’ll work on that.” He winked.
    “May I take your order?”
    “Yes, you may.” Jena smiled at the waiter with relief. “I’ll have the grilled chicken salad with vinaigrette.”
    The amused smile on Chase’s face couldn’t be missed. “Steak and potato for me.”
    “You get one more side, sir.”
    “I’ll take a salad. Ranch dressing.”
    “Very good. Will that be all for you both, sir?”
    “Yes, thank you,” Chase responded.
    “Do you notice how Women’s Lib hasn’t hit the restaurant scene yet?” Jena replied sarcastically after the waiter had left their table.
    “All this anger can’t be good for you.”
    “I’m not angry.” The rise in Chase’s eyebrows told her he wasn’t buying it. “Okay, I’m irritated. I’ve worked hard to be an independent woman and I hear ‘Will that be all for you both, sir.’ Seriously?”
    “Who cares what he thinks?” Chase reasoned.
    “You’re right.” Jena adjusted the napkin in her lap, avoiding his gaze.
    “So…are you ready for our meeting to commence?”
    “Meeting?” Her thoughts were muddled.
    “The custody arrangement for Andrea,” he reminded her.
    “Oh.” Jena rested her elbows on the table, rubbing her temples. “I suppose we have no choice.”
    “There’s always a choice, Beautiful.”
    “First off, quit calling me that.”
    “You are beautiful.” A dawning became visible across his face. “Right. Women’s Lib. Sorry.”
    She never knew him to be thickheaded. The only way to get him to stop was to be straightforward. “You used that nickname on me many years ago…things were different.”
    “You’re still beautiful and things for me are still the same.”
    “Just…don’t call me that.”
    “I’ll try.” He leaned in and smiled.
    “I guess we should get down to business. What type of arrangement would be satisfactory for you?”
    “Well, Madam Attorney…”
    “Chase,” she warned.
    “Do you want the truth?”
    She sipped her water to choke down the cotton balls before she attempted to speak. “I don’t believe we’ll get anywhere if we aren’t honest.”
    “We agree on something,” he muttered.
    “Out with it,” Jena directed.
    “I want to be a full time father to Andrea. Jen, I’ve been in her life on a constant basis since she was three years old. I was in a bad place when Collin died. I lost you, the band fell apart because of my resentment, and I was drinking…a lot. I didn’t care about anything. Collin losing his life saved mine. I won’t let my brother down. Andy has been my life.”
    She wasn’t