Read Online You're Still the One by Rachel Harris - Free Book Online
Authors: Rachel Harris
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It was the two of them against the world. The thought of possibly disappointing him with her decisions was almost crippling, but if she didn’t step out now, when would she? Four years living with Lana, the queen of no regrets, had proven Ella was bottled up…this summer was her chance to finally uncork.
A few minutes later, Arabella let Lana go with promises of mailed cookies as soon as she found herself an apartment or a kitchen, whichever came first, and then she tabbed over to her messages where a text remained unanswered. It’d been waiting for her when she stopped for lunch in Tuscaloosa.
Heading into a meeting now, but let me know when you get settled at the hotel. Don’t go into the city alone after dark. Love you, princess.
Ella sighed, her fingers hovering over the keypad. Her father really was a big softie at heart, and she loved him more than anything. But that text was part of the problem. He still saw her as a child, a princess , incapable of knowing the potential dangers of walking a strange city alone at night. It’s not that he meant to undermine her intelligence with his unsolicited advice or intend to shake her confidence with his expectations for her future. But that’s exactly what he did.
Arabella typed out a quick reply, then shut off her phone, needing some distance from home. That was another reason this summer was so vital. In New Orleans, she could be anyone she wanted to be. Daring and confident, or an everyday college grad. Unless someone lived and breathed the industry, they wouldn’t know her from Eve, which meant they wouldn’t look twice if she said something foolish or did something crazy. Here, the world was her oyster. Back in Nashville, she was Music City’s darling, Lana’s homemaker bestie, and the daughter of one incredible, loving, stubborn man who would forever see her as his little girl.
Emphasis on the little.
…
“Sausage biscuit,” Charlie declared, tossing a wrapped sandwich on Mike Hebert’s desk with a grin. “Who loves ya, baby?”
Strange Wheel’s renowned sound engineer shook his head with an amused smirk, a look Charlie was getting used to seeing on the older man’s face. “You do, I suppose.” The man chuckled low to himself, but he unwrapped that biscuit with gusto, and when he took a massive bite, his eyes lit up behind his wire frames.
Charlie called out a greeting to Hunter and Pete, then lobbed each of them a wrapped biscuit, too, feeling like freaking Santa Claus. The crew here were good guys, hard workers and honest dudes, but they were way too serious. They’d needed the likes of him joining the ranks to liven up the place. Even better, working here kept him busy enough that the constant void barely registered. That wasn’t to say he wasn’t lonely, because he was, but concentrating on his future was more important than the feel of a woman’s touch.
Yep, any way you sliced it, agreeing to Stone’s proposal was one of the best decisions Charlie had ever made, second only to co-founding Blue with his best friend when he was nineteen.
The small office at the end of the hall was his as of a week ago, and he dropped into his desk chair with a smile. It felt good having tangible work to accomplish while the band was on hiatus, and Strange Wheel provided an excellent opportunity to further his foundation. After finalizing the details of his niece’s trip the night before, Charlie had told Abby how things were coming with Life & Lyrics, and hearing her enthusiasm further proved he was headed in the right direction. Everything in his life was suddenly coming up roses…so it would be nice if he could stop thinking about a certain mysterious brunette.
Charlie groaned and shoved his hand through his dark hair. Why was she haunting him? It wasn’t the abrupt ending, either. She’d been easy to talk to, witty and fun, and the feel of her lips was imprinted on his skin. Never in his life had a woman affected him like this, so it stood to
A few minutes later, Arabella let Lana go with promises of mailed cookies as soon as she found herself an apartment or a kitchen, whichever came first, and then she tabbed over to her messages where a text remained unanswered. It’d been waiting for her when she stopped for lunch in Tuscaloosa.
Heading into a meeting now, but let me know when you get settled at the hotel. Don’t go into the city alone after dark. Love you, princess.
Ella sighed, her fingers hovering over the keypad. Her father really was a big softie at heart, and she loved him more than anything. But that text was part of the problem. He still saw her as a child, a princess , incapable of knowing the potential dangers of walking a strange city alone at night. It’s not that he meant to undermine her intelligence with his unsolicited advice or intend to shake her confidence with his expectations for her future. But that’s exactly what he did.
Arabella typed out a quick reply, then shut off her phone, needing some distance from home. That was another reason this summer was so vital. In New Orleans, she could be anyone she wanted to be. Daring and confident, or an everyday college grad. Unless someone lived and breathed the industry, they wouldn’t know her from Eve, which meant they wouldn’t look twice if she said something foolish or did something crazy. Here, the world was her oyster. Back in Nashville, she was Music City’s darling, Lana’s homemaker bestie, and the daughter of one incredible, loving, stubborn man who would forever see her as his little girl.
Emphasis on the little.
…
“Sausage biscuit,” Charlie declared, tossing a wrapped sandwich on Mike Hebert’s desk with a grin. “Who loves ya, baby?”
Strange Wheel’s renowned sound engineer shook his head with an amused smirk, a look Charlie was getting used to seeing on the older man’s face. “You do, I suppose.” The man chuckled low to himself, but he unwrapped that biscuit with gusto, and when he took a massive bite, his eyes lit up behind his wire frames.
Charlie called out a greeting to Hunter and Pete, then lobbed each of them a wrapped biscuit, too, feeling like freaking Santa Claus. The crew here were good guys, hard workers and honest dudes, but they were way too serious. They’d needed the likes of him joining the ranks to liven up the place. Even better, working here kept him busy enough that the constant void barely registered. That wasn’t to say he wasn’t lonely, because he was, but concentrating on his future was more important than the feel of a woman’s touch.
Yep, any way you sliced it, agreeing to Stone’s proposal was one of the best decisions Charlie had ever made, second only to co-founding Blue with his best friend when he was nineteen.
The small office at the end of the hall was his as of a week ago, and he dropped into his desk chair with a smile. It felt good having tangible work to accomplish while the band was on hiatus, and Strange Wheel provided an excellent opportunity to further his foundation. After finalizing the details of his niece’s trip the night before, Charlie had told Abby how things were coming with Life & Lyrics, and hearing her enthusiasm further proved he was headed in the right direction. Everything in his life was suddenly coming up roses…so it would be nice if he could stop thinking about a certain mysterious brunette.
Charlie groaned and shoved his hand through his dark hair. Why was she haunting him? It wasn’t the abrupt ending, either. She’d been easy to talk to, witty and fun, and the feel of her lips was imprinted on his skin. Never in his life had a woman affected him like this, so it stood to
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