Page 26 of The Bachelor

“I think it’s called talent, not luck.” Shane reached out and brushed her hair back off her face, unable to resist. “I’m really happy for you. So no Ben?” He needed to know that for his own peace of mind.

Avery snorted. “No Ben. That was done right then and there. I didn’t even see him again after that night. I went and got my stuff from his aunt’s house when he was at work.”

“That’s good. He doesn’t deserve any of your time.” Shane glanced back at the door. “Play your song, before Pat comes back. I want to hear it again.”

“You don’t have to do that.”

That made him smile at her, easily. “I know. I don’t do anything I don’t want to do. I liked the song before I knew it was you. Kind of how you felt about me when you had no idea I was Jolene Hart’s brother.” He gave her a wink.

For the first time since he’d entered the room, she smiled back. “Fair enough.” She raised her guitar and started strumming.

He watched her, only half listening. He’d already decided he was going to put a hold on it to run by Jolene later. He almost never scouted songs for his sister, but this one seemed like it was written specifically for Jolene’s sweet voice. So instead he just focused on Avery, on watching her fingers move so delicately over the guitar strings. She was wearing jeans, an olive green T-shirt, and those baby blue cowboy boots he remembered quite well. Her hair was less wild than the night he’d met her, combed and smooth, but that beautiful auburn color was neither flashy nor ordinary.

She was singing in a softer voice than she had been earlier, but in a way, it was more effective. There was so much emotion in her words, in the defiant tilt of her head, it was intoxicating, beautiful. He wasn’t lying—he wanted her. He had to see her again. They just weren’t done with each other. He knew it deep down in his gut, and hell, in his dick, too. He could admit that.

He wondered if she had dated any boys in Nashville. Country boys in town who had blindly pawed her in a dark corner. Or savvy city-slicker types who might charm her out of her jeans. The thought made him jealous. He wanted to be the only one who had touched her, and that right there should be reason enough for him to turn tail and run.

But he didn’t. Quite the opposite.

“Go to dinner with me,” he said suddenly, as she trailed off and stood staring at him expectantly.

Avery’s jaw dropped. “What? Are you trying to get me in trouble? No. I’m not going to dinner with you.”

Now that he’d made up his mind, he wasn’t going to be swayed that easily. “How would dinner get you in trouble? We can discuss business. If you’re scared, Pat can join us.”

“I’m not scared!” She looked indignant at the very thought.

“Then say yes.”

She chewed her lip in a gesture that was familiar to him. It was odd, but maybe there was something about getting to know Avery in the middle of the night, in the midst of a crisis that leant itself to greater intimacy. Aside from sex, that is. Because even though he really knew nothing about her, he felt like he did in fact know her on some important level.

“No,” she said again, her expression stubborn.

He smiled the smile that usually got him what he wanted. “No problem. I’ll just go get Pat then.”

“Why? For what?” Avery looked panicked.

Shane opened the door without responding. “Hey, Pat, would you mind stepping on in here?”

THIRTEEN

What in the hell was Shane doing? Avery stood there, steaming. There was nothing she could do because Pat was already cheerfully calling out she was on her way. It was all Avery could do to take a deep breath and try to behave normally. No small feat when she was so turned on by the charming producer. She had no idea what he wanted from her.

Pat came striding in, all smiles and flouncy hair. She had perfectly tousled beach waves and an offbeat, bohemian style. Her talent was coming off as sweet and a little hippie dippy, and then unexpectedly going for the jugular. She was a shrewd businesswoman, despite her love of hemp.

Now she looked back and forth between them and said, “What’s up? How are you feeling about it, Shane?”

Avery noticed she had dropped the “Mr. Hart” formality. That had clearly been for her and Lauren but now that Pat realized Shane knew Avery and they might make a deal, she was taking a more casual approach.

“Put a hold on it for me. I think Jolene needs to hear it,” he said briskly.

“Nice,” was Pat’s opinion. “She certainly has the perfect voice for it. Let’s go iron out the details.” She gave Avery a smile. “Nice work, Miss O’Leery. This is exciting.”

“Thank you,” Avery said, and then suddenly realized that holy crap, Jolene Hart was going to listen to her work. Jolene might actually be interested in a song she, Avery O’Leery, had written. It was unbelievable. As a matter of fact, she felt lightheaded.

“Are you okay?” Shane asked her.

“I legitimately think I might faint,” she said, sinking back down into her chair. “But no, I’m okay. I’m better than okay. I’m ecstatic.”

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