Once More With Feeling Read Online Free PDF Page A

marvelous product.” Julie lifted her eyes from her pink-tinted toenails and met Raven’s amused grin. She rolled her eyes to the ceiling, and Raven settled cross-legged in an overstuffed leather chair. The library, with its warm, mahogany paneling and stately furnishings, was Julie’s domain. And, Raven thought, snuggling down more comfortably, it suited her.
    â€œOf course, I’ll see she gets your offer, but I warn you, Ms. Williams takes a firm stand on this.” With one last exasperated glance at the ceiling, Julie hung up. “If you didn’t insist on being nice to everybody who calls you, I could have thought of a few different words for that one,” Julie snapped.
    â€œTrouble?” Raven asked, sniffing her rose and smiling.
    â€œGet smart and I’ll tell him you’ll be thrilled to endorse his Earth Bubble Shampoo.” She laced her fingers behind her head as she made the threat.
    â€œMercy,” Raven pleaded, then kicked off her elegant, orchid-toned shoes. “You look tired,” she said, watching Julie stretch her back muscles. “Been busy?”
    â€œJust last-minute nonsense to clear things for the tour.” A shrug dismissed the complications she had handled. “I never did ask you how the recording went. It’s finished, isn’t it?”
    â€œYeah.” Raven took a deep breath and twirled her rose by the stem. “It went perfectly. I haven’t been happier with a session since the first one. Something just clicked.”
    â€œYou worked hard enough on the material,” Julie remarked, thinking of the endless nights Raven had spent writing and arranging.
    â€œSometimes I still can’t believe it.” She spoke softly, the words hardly more than thoughts. “I listen to a playback, and it’s all there, the strings, the brass, the rhythm and backups, and I can’t believe it’s me. I’ve been so incredibly lucky”
    â€œTalented,” Julie corrected.
    â€œLots of people have talent,” Raven reminded her. “But they’re not sitting here. They’re still in some dreary piano bar, waiting. Without luck, they’re never going to be anywhere else.”
    â€œThere are also things like drive, perseverance, guts.” Raven’s persistent lack of self-confidence infuriated Julie. She’d been with her almost from the beginning of Raven’s start in California six years before. She’d seen the struggles and the disappointments. She knew about the fears, insecurities and work behind the glamour. There was nothing about Raven Williams that Julie didn’t know.
    The phone interrupted her thoughts on a lecture on self-worth. “It’s your private line,” she said as she pressed the button. “Hello.” Raven tensed but relaxed when she saw Julie smile. “Hi, Henderson. Yes, she’s right here, hold on. Your illustrious agent,” Julie stated as she rose. She slipped her feet back into her sandals. Raven got up from her chair just as the doorbell chimed.
    â€œI guess that’s Brandon.” With admirable ease, she flopped into the chair that Julie had just vacated. “Would you tell him I’ll be along in a minute?”
    â€œSure.” Julie turned and left as Raven’s voice followed her down the hall.
    â€œI left it where? In your office? Henderson, I don’t know why I ever bother carrying a purse.”
    Julie smiled. Raven had a penchant for losing things: her purse, her shoes, her passport. Vital or trivial, it simply didn’t matter. Music and people filled Raven’s thoughts, and material objects were easily forgotten.
    â€œHello, Brand,” Julie said as she opened the front door. “Nice to see you again.” Her eyes were cool, and her mouth formed no smile.
    â€œHello, Julie.”
    There was warmth in his greeting. She sensed it and ignored it. “Come in,” she invited.