Page 116 of Healing the Heart

“Of course. I understand,” she allowed. “I won’t push if you don’t want to go, but you could keep to the lounge. Jonas can make sure none of the doms come near you, only me and the girls. You wouldn’t want to miss Elena performing. She sings a lot of sad songs. It drives Dex crazy, but her fans love it.”

“We’ll see.”

“Yeah.” She gave her a motherly kiss on the side of her head. “I’m going to marinate the steaks for dinner. And you’re going to eat. I swear you’ve lost ten pounds since you’ve been here.”

“That’s the only positive I can see about a breakup. It’s great for the waistline.”

“Yeah, but we’re nipping that in the bud. Even Jonas noticed.”

She disappeared inside, leaving her staring at the letter, which she reread three times.

Chapter 30

We Need More Margaritas

HIS LETTER WENT UNANSWERED. Each time he dialed her number, the call went straight to voice mail. Noah considered camping on Jonas’ doorstep until she came out. It seemed desperate, which he totally was. How could he apologize and grovel properly if she wouldn’t see him?

He’d sent two dozen pink roses with a handwritten card that said, “Call me, baby. Please.”

Then...crickets.

In need of advice, he texted Val. She suggested persistence, but not stalking, and that he might want to visit the club tonight for open sub night.

Noah instantly shot off a response:I’m not looking for a distraction.

There was a long pause. Damn those three dots! He was typing up a terse reply when she finally answered.

Val:Elena Russell is performing. Fiona is expected for the show.

He closed his eyes. Usually an intelligent man, the situation with Fiona—entirely self-inflicted—seemed to have dropped his IQ by thirty points. Frustration and the lack of sleep played a role. Luckily for his patients, he wasn’t back in LA on the surgical schedule.

Noah:Right. Thanks.

Val:You really love her, don’t you?

Noah:I do. What made you ask?

Val:You’re endearingly muddled when you’re desperate. Good luck, Master Noah. I’m rooting for you.

At nine o’clock straight up, because that’s when Elena took the stage, Noah walked into the San Antonio Club Decadence lounge for the first time. He’d always been curious about what the original club was like. Tonight, he couldn’t care less.

If he thought finding her would be simple, boy, was he wrong. There had to be a thousand people crowded into a space half the size of the lounge and bar back home, and they were all on their feet. If they had a dance floor, he couldn’t tell because it was shoulder to shoulder everywhere, and all the fans were dancing and singing along. The staff was trying to keep the center and perimeter aisles clear, but otherwise it looked like a mosh pit.

Christ! How was he supposed to find her in this madhouse?

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