Shoving aside all thoughts of Jake, she focused on the man walking toward her. “Scotty,” she said to her manager with a smile. “Hello.”
He gave her a fatherly hug, then held out a hand to Jake. The men shook hands, then Scotty turned his attention back to her. “You look beautiful as always.”
“Thank you.”
“Are you still planning on debuting One Last Night?”
Her smile grew. “Yes, and I’m so excited.” She was also terrified. What if they hated it? She’d invested her heart and soul into One Last Night. If this crowd hated it, she would be devastated, but better to find out now, before she released it to the world.
Scotty must have read the fear in her eyes, because he said, “Don’t worry, Chloe. They’ll love it.”
She’d sent Scotty a recording of it, so she hoped he meant it and wasn’t just saying that to build her up. Who was she kidding? Of course he was building her up. That was his job. Still, in her gut she knew it would be a hit.
“I hope so,” she said in reply.
Brett, the man who had organized the event, joined them. “Ah! Here she is!”
She smiled warmly at Brett. She’d worked his events twice before and they had always gone well. “Hello.” She held out her hand and he gently shook it, then he swept an arm toward the short hallway that led to the main space.
“Shall we?”
Her excitement growing, she nodded with enthusiasm and followed him down the hall.
Chapter Sixteen
Jake was on high alert as he followed the pop princess—okay, he would start thinking of her as Chloe—into the lion’s den. She seemed perfectly comfortable as people greeted her with enthusiasm, stopping to chat and take selfies with them.
When everyone acted respectful toward her, Jake began to relax, just a bit. This was different than Chloe’s impulsive visit to the mall. These people had paid to be here, paid a fair amount. They wouldn’t want to take a chance on getting kicked out. Unless they were a fan willing to do anything to get close to Chloe. The thought brought a stark feeling of unease to Jake’s chest. The organizers hadn’t vetted the attendees. Anyone could be there. He moved closer to Chloe while still keeping enough distance to give her the space he knew she needed.
Movement caught Jake’s eye and he saw a man laser-focused on Chloe, grinning as he marched right toward her. Jake took a step forward, ready to take the man down if he did anything to endanger Chloe, but the man simply smiled and held out a glossy photo of Chloe before asking her to sign it.
Exhaling in relief, Jake kept his eyes sliding over the crowd.
Once Chloe had talked with many of the people there, Brett got on the microphone and officially welcomed her. The crowd whistled and clapped and Jake looked at Chloe. Happiness shone from her face as she waved to the people who had come just to see her.
“And now,” Brett said, “Chloe has a special treat for you. She’s been working on her new album—” He was interrupted by more cheering. Laughing, he held up his hand and the crowd settled down. “She has a song she wants to share with you and…you’ll be the first to hear it.” More cheering. Brett grinned. “I give you,” his arm swept toward Chloe, “Chloe Ross!”
The crowd went wild again as Chloe made her way onto the small stage. She settled onto a stool and picked up her guitar. The lights dimmed and she began strumming before starting to softly sing.
Her voice was like that of an angel, smooth and silky, yet powerful at the same time. Jake was mesmerized. The melody she strummed grabbed a hold of him and wouldn’t let go. With her eyes closed, she gently swayed, then her eyes snapped open and the pace of the song picked up as her voice grew louder. Passion infused every word that left her lips.
Remembering why he was there, Jake tore his eyes from her and let them roam over her audience instead. They were swaying and bouncing to the music, totally enthralled. Unaccountably proud of Chloe’s obvious success, Jake smiled, realizing his own head was bobbing to the beat, just a little.
When Chloe’s song drew to a close, the audience cheered loud and long. Jake shifted his eyes to Chloe, who was practically glowing.
“Thank you,” she said into the mic. “Thank you so much.”
Chloe felt it. She knew it. One Last Night would be a hit. Love and appreciation for her fans blossomed inside her. If it wasn’t for them, she would be alone in a small room, still composing, still singing, but only for her own ears.
Then, without consciously deciding to, she let her gaze wander across the crowd and land on Jake. Her heart did a little flip at the look on his face—smiling, chin high, shoulders back. He had enjoyed the music. She was certain of it. And he was looking right at her. Their eyes met. She gave him a little nod. He nodded back, then his eyes left her. At their absence, Chloe felt a tiny bit bereft, like she’d just lost something important. But he had a job to do. And it wasn’t to praise her or to build up her ego. No. That was Scotty’s job.
“That was amazing,” Scotty said from beside her. He glanced at the people below them. “They loved it. Just like I knew they would.”
Chloe smiled at the people waiting to talk to her, to touch her, to be acknowledged by her. “It went well,” she allowed, smiling warmly at her manager. She set her guitar down, then stood and made her way off of the stage to meet and greet her fans.
Three hours later, Chloe was ready to go home. Exhausted from the emotional build-up she’d had as she’d worried how her song would be received, and after putting on a bright smile and interacting with her fans all evening, she was ready to go back to her home, her sanctuary.
She gave Jake a look that she hoped conveyed her wishes. It must have, because he was by her side in seconds.
“Ready to go?” he asked, his striking eyes focused fully on her.
“Yes. I just need to tell Brett good bye.”
Jake nodded.
A short time later, Brett had announced Chloe’s departure, the crowd had given her a final cheer, and she and Jake left the event. As they waited for the elevator to arrive, she turned to him with a cocked eyebrow. “So, what did you think?”
He smiled. “Of what?”
She pursed her lips as she smiled. “My song, of course.”
The elevator doors slid open and they stepped inside the empty car. It began moving downward.
“It was okay.”
Her eyebrows shot upward and her mouth fell open. Then she did something she hadn’t planned on. She poked him in the chest with one finger. “You liked it. A lot. Don’t pretend you didn’t.”
He grabbed her hand, stopping her from jabbing him in the chest, then to her complete and utter surprise, he slid one of his fingers under her chin before kissing her soundly on the lips. Moments later his mouth released hers. She took a step back as they stared at each other.
Shocked. Stunned. That’s how she felt. But she also felt a thrill of excitement. And breathless.
Jake was silent, his expression unreadable, and then he shook his head. “I’m so sorry. That was completely uncalled for and totally unacceptable.” He visibly swallowed as he stared at her for several beats.
Wow! That kiss had been…just, wow. Chloe stared at Jake, her heart slamming against her ribs.