Page 29 of Misunderstood: In Love with the Nerd (Miss 2)

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Sonya entered the bar with her frame of mind in little better spirits. As a matter-of-fact, the short drive actually provided her with ample thinking time and a good sense of a kick in the bottom. She would be performing in less than fifteen minutes and she couldn’t have Daniel and his affairs plaguing her mind. There was only one thing she needed to focus on, and that was performing.

It took no aptness to concede he was different. Finding a mate to match his character would be difficult enough. It certainly wouldn’t happen if he didn’t get out and date. Now that he was, Sonya would need to worry less. Not that she had. Daniel and his personal life were his business. She wanted nothing to do with it. Nevertheless, she couldn’t resist the urge to want to safeguard him from the vultures and tramps whose only interests were in one-night stands.

He deserved more. He had class and decency written all over him. It was no wonder that she felt an overwhelming urge to probe and scrutinize his prospective female companions. With an angry sigh, Sonya marched into the bar. If she were to start exterminating the worthless females in his life, she would have to begin with herself. Compared to her own flawed person, this Jamie character would look like a saint.

She cast all thoughts of Daniel and his female relationships aside, and stalked across the nearly empty bar toward Tristan’s office. First, there was a little matter to take care of. Without even bothering to knock, Sonya swung open his door and sailed into his office. She was brought up short when she realized he was not alone.

Audrey stood in the middle of the room facing him. At Sonya’s unexpected arrival both heads turned in her direction. Both unsmiling. Tristan glanced irritably at Sonya, his hands shoved deep in his trousers. Though, for some reason, she knew he was agitated before she even entered the room.

Audrey mumbled something then quickly exited the room, scarcely looking in Sonya’s

direction. However, it did not go unnoticed by Sonya the deep flush darkening her friend’s cheeks.

Sonya glanced back at her boss and an uncomfortable feeling of apprehension crept up her spine. Tristan was a complete rake. He enjoyed flirting openly. For Sonya, it was a welcome attention but for others as guileless as Audrey it would be unwelcome. She hated to admit it but she had been receiving a sense of misgiving where Tristan and Audrey were concerned. Her attempts to draw some kind of admission from her friend came up empty. She knew Audrey valued her job too much to lay allegations against her boss.

“What was Audrey doing here? It’s her day off.” She demanded with a hint of assertion to her voice.

He simply shot her a “none of your business” glance before going around to his desk. “Picking up her pay check.”

She eyed him closer, trying to disclose some kind of comprehension. “You two looked pretty serious when I entered.”

Tristan shot her a tired look. “We were discussing the events of the other night.”

Sonya felt a release of unease. “I wanted to talk to you about that as well.”

“No need.” He brushed her aside and pulled some papers toward him on his desk and sat down. “Audrey explained everything. I apparently owe your friend Daniel an apology.”

Taken by surprise, she blinked. No wonder they looked so somber when she entered the room. Audrey wasn’t a confrontational person. It would have taken a lot for her to confront Tristan in order to support her friend. It certainly wasn’t necessary. Sonya could defend herself. As a matter-of-fact, she had been looking forward very much to the confrontation between her and Tristan. Maybe a heated confrontation. After disturbing thoughts of Daniel and his female relationships, she had an uncanny urge to vent pent up emotions.

Nevertheless, she would have to thank her friend. She knew the gesture would have taken a lot of confidence and strength from a meek Audrey.

The room was silent as Tristan concentrated on the forms in front of him. Though he seemed appeased by Audrey’s explanation of Saturday night’s event, he still appeared displeased. It was possible her friend hadn’t been able to clear all his misgivings. Feeling it might lift his spirits, she supplied, “Daniel is just my neighbor.”

“I know.” He didn’t even bother glancing her way.

She had an uncomfortable feeling he wasn’t pleased with her. “Friends at most. Even that is questionable at times.”

His eyes shot up from his work to look at her. Their thoughts were shadowed by heavy lids. “I understand.” When she still did not move, he added, “Aren’t you supposed to be on stage in five minutes?”

She blinked. “Yes.” Then giving him a searching look asked before she made her exit, “Are you sure everything is all right?”

He took a deep breath and the solemn but blank look on his face evaporated. He ran a hand along his jaw line and searched her face, then lifted the corners of his mouth and gave her a short grin. “Yep. Now, go knock ‘em dead. Remind me that I didn’t make a big mistake by letting you perform.”

She smirked in response, relieved to see him good-humored once more. Turning toward the door she muttered “hardly” before any thoughts of Tristan, Audrey, Daniel, Jamie, unknown redheads, and any other unwanted intruders entered her head. Her focus was singing. With a spark to her walk, she flounced toward the stage and the band as they prepared to set up. They exchanged a few necessary details, tested the microphone, and then broke immediately into her first song.

Except for her singing and the band’s music, there was no other sound to be heard in the bar. The crowd was thin as she predicted, with the odd table occupied, but most of the clientele in attendance were lounging at the bar, absorbed in their drinks and solitary company oblivious to the live band playing for them. Even the bartender seemed more engrossed in getting a perfect shine from his countertop than the performance on stage.

After she sang a few more songs Sonya stopped watching for Tristan. He didn’t make an appearance as she had hoped. It would have been nice. She was finally doing what she had always dreamed about doing, and she was getting there on her own merits. Still, a scrap of support wouldn’t have hurt.

Her mind began to drift and she wondered what Daniel would think if he were there. Would he compliment her on her singing vocals? Would he praise her ability to achieve her dreams? Would he tell her she had the talent to go as far as she wanted?

That was the thing about Daniel. He never chastised her dreams. No matter how ludicrous or different they appeared from his perception of success. He had the ability to make her believe in herself without having to say a word.

A tiny spark of sorrow caught her off guard when she realized that she wished Daniel could have been there.

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