Page 63 of Love is a Harmony
“Dad—”
“There are policies in place, Mel. I will smooth over this… marriage with the board, assure them that it will end, but you need more distance. I don’t want you meeting with Rockstars Anonymous anymore.”
“No, Dad…” He couldn’t take that from her. “Are you saying this as my dad or my boss?”
His expression softened. “Sometimes, I can’t be both. I want you to be happy, Mel, but I also want you to keep your job. This is an order from your boss.”
Indignation roiled in her, wanting to break free. But a part of her knew her dad was right. She’d spent the last ten years keeping a professional distance between her and the world. It protected her, shielded her.
But it also worked for her job.
And now… it seemed she’d have to put her shield back in place. All she had was her dad and her job. She couldn’t let either of them down.
* * *
Drew Stone was the only one of Melanie’s clients currently on tour, which meant when she traveled, it was usually to him. Getting away from L.A. for a few days wasn’t a bad idea. She could breathe again without the office closing in around her or her dad’s watchful eye scrutinizing her.
By the time Melanie got to the hotel in Chicago, all she wanted to do was sleep. But Drew was never one to let her just be on her own. He was demanding in the sneakiest ways. He didn’t create scandals like Noah—usually—but something about him made the press want to make up stories of womanizing and partying.
She’d laughed in their faces on more than one occasion. The good-boy Drew Stone was not what he seemed. Sure, he danced on stage as if trying to seduce the audience. Sometimes, he even stripped off some of his clothes.
But if they knew him away from the stage, they’d see a small-town man who missed his family. The man who fell in love with one of his dancers and wasn’t afraid to tell the world.
And the man who sat in the lobby, waiting on Melanie’s arrival.
“Drew,” she sighed. “Not tonight.”
He stood. “Why would you tell me you were almost here if you didn’t want to see me?” His smirk said he knew her too well.
“Fine.” She shoved her suitcase his way. “Then, you can take this to my room. Unless you’ve forgotten how to roll a suitcase.”
“I don’t think that’s how a publicist should speak to her client.”
She ignored that and walked up to the counter. “Melanie Snyder. I believe my room should be on the Drew Stone floor.”
The man scrutinized her before typing into her computer and handing her a keycard. “Room 406.”
“Thank you.” She started toward the elevators, not looking back to make sure Drew followed her.
It had been over two months since Melanie last visited Drew’s tour, but one thing she’d learned in the music business… little changed over the course of a tour. Every day was the same despite traveling to different cities.
It was that monotony she needed. Too much in her life had changed, and if she was ever going to stop thinking about Noah, she needed her world to get back to normal.
So, why did normal suddenly feel so lonely?
Drew followed her into the elevator. They reached the fourth floor and passed the security guards. “How are things going with Beckett Anderson?” She’d questioned her father when he made a deal with another label to put the country star on Drew’s rock tour.
“Surprisingly well.” Drew shrugged. “The guy is cool.”
So descriptive. Melanie rolled her eyes.
Drew pounded on a door they passed. “Pipes, come to room 406.” He didn’t wait for her response as Melanie opened her door.
The room was a hotel room, no fancier than any in the other cities they stopped in. She knew Drew’s would probably be twice the size. At least. He liked big, expensive things. All of her clients did.
Well, maybe except Noah. Sure, he had a beautiful house on the beach, but other than that, he didn’t live a flashy life. He’d seemed just as happy in the small house in France as he did in L.A.
She really had to stop thinking about him.
