Page 55 of Two Hearts' Ploy

“I’m not sure. I haven’t seen her behave like that since she was a teenager,” Dad said, frowning.

When Jeff looked like he was going to head back to the storeroom, Wren rested her hand over his arm. “Why don’t you help me grab those supplies so we can get out of your father’s way?”

Jeff glanced at Wren, nodding. “Okay. I’ll let Kate cool off before I talk to her.”

“It was nice to meet you, Mr. Callahan,” Wren said.

“Just call me Cal, Wren. It was nice to finally meet you too,” he said.

Strolling through the aisles, Jeff watched as Wren reached for several different items that he didn’t even realize that Callahan’s carried.

“You said you could mix some paint for me? I’ll take some samples in case you want me to continue in some of the other rooms, but I have my mind set on a certain pale yellow with just a touch of olive green. I’ll see if I can match it up for you to mix.”

“Okay,” Jeff agreed.

After they’d finished loading the paint and supplies in the truck another twenty-five minutes later, Jeff turned to Wren when they were sitting inside the cab of the truck. “How come Kate’s behavior didn’t seem to bother you?”

She grimaced. “It’s not that it didn’t bother me, but I get it all the time. It’s all the stories about me in the tabloids. It’s pretty easy to see that we’ve got something going on between us. I’m sure she’s just being protective of you.”

“It’s none of her goddamn business,” Jeff muttered, revving up the engine.

Wren suddenly grinned, looking like a weight had fallen off her shoulders.

Chapter Thirty-Three

Monday morning arrived quickly, and Wren had done everything she could to be prepared for the grueling week ahead.

Jeff grinned when she finally made it downstairs, dressed in a clingy little black dress pared with spiky black heels. She’d been sure to take her time with her hair and makeup, having learned a lot from watching Robin, her makeup artist.

“You sure do look hot. It’s a shame we have to leave,” Jeff muttered.

She laughed.

Today, she was dressed for success because portions of the segments would be taped, she’d been warned.

Even Jeff had dressed in olive green khakis and a button-down shirt, although his sleeves were already rolled up by the time they reached the studio.

Wren was surprised to realize that she’d never noticed the larger recording studio with a separate entrance located along the back of the building, as Jeff was directed to park in the rear.

Once she was inside performing with the orchestra, which had obviously had a lot of previous rehearsals, she was lost in the music. It took nearly the entire day to get it right, because Jeffexpected perfection. He had no hesitation with correcting and keeping everyone on task.

She shouldn’t have been so surprised. After all, he was an Air Force Captain. He would never have been promoted to that rank if he wasn’t born to take charge.

And later that night, when they finally called it quits, Wren recognized that today she’d produced what would probably be the most significant music of her life.

* * *

Another week later, it was a few days after the single had been released when Wren got a call from her manager. She was in a daze as she walked downstairs, where Jeff was working again on the remainder of her recordings.

She tapped on the clear glass door, fascinated by his ability to focus so intently on what he was doing.

He stood, opening the door. “What’s wrong?”

She smiled widely. “Our song just went to number one on both the pop and rock charts.”

He held her gaze, looking dazed. Walking out from inside his studio, she shrieked when he lifted her high in the air, spinning her around the room.

Chapter Thirty-Four

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