The Way You Make Me Feel Read Online Free PDF

it in spades. Hurry back!”
    For a moment Damien seemed lost in another world. He looked somber and bothered before he relaxed. “That was beautiful, Stevie.”
    â€œI remember it all,” she said softly, her eyes shining. She finished the song and took a bow.
    Both men applauded and whistled. Pedro smiled and then bowed. “Lady, you’re the best and I’ve loved you and your music for a long, long time. You started early and I’ve been a devoted fan from the beginning.”
    â€œShe’s got a zillion fans,” Damien said, “and she deserves them all.”
    Pedro nodded. “You’re all set and I’m outta here. Now, I’m hoping you start singing again.” He looked keenly at Stevie and grinned widely.
    When Pedro had left, Damien turned to Stevie. “How d’you feel? Getting tired?”
    â€œBetter all the time. He’s a nice man.”
    â€œYeah. I’d better get your bags. I’m going to take you by Club Insomnia so you can see Jessi and Nick. Ron should be there, too. They’re people you knew. You’re part owner of the club.”
    Stevie laughed. “A nightclub and I’m part owner?”
    â€œYeah. You came to me one day all excited and told me about it. You sing there on Thursday nights and the line to get in is very long. Nashville is proud to still have you.”
    Stevie blushed. “I’m really good then?”
    â€œThe best. Well, we’d better get going. Listen, love, if you want to wait for this…”
    She thought a moment. “No, I want to get started. I want my life back, or at least I think I do.”
    Downstairs alone, waiting for Damien to come back, she reflected that she was fast growing less afraid. That was a blessing. And she thought, too, of his carelessly calling her “love.” He probably said it to all women, but it sounded close and warm and she found she liked having him call her this very, very much.

Chapter 3
    C lub Insomnia was closed in preparation for that evening; Wednesday was always a good night. Damien rang and a slender, tan woman with reddish-brown hair and a pretty face flung the door open and whooped with delight as she caught Stevie to her in a bear hug.
    â€œHoney, where have you been? I thought about sending the cops after you. Did you and Bretta go over to Atlanta?”
    That name again.
    Stevie looked at the woman blankly, causing her to swallow hard and say, “Stevie?”
    Damien explained it all then, and the woman looked in shock. “Well, I’m Jessi Colton,” she said, “and we’ve been friends for a very long time. My younger sister Bretta is your best friend. I haven’t seen her either for a couple of days.” She hugged Stevie again, her eyes filling with tears as she said, “Oh, honey, I’m so sorry.”
    â€œI thought if she met you, saw this and other places, it might help,” Damien said.
    Nick, a big dark-brown bear of a man, fit and amiable, came up and hugged Stevie.
    â€œI was beginning to think you were absconding,” he said, “and there’s gonna be a riot if your fans come Thursday night and you’re not singing.”
    Jessi explained to him what had happened and he stood with a sympathetic frown on his face. “A damned shame, but except for a few scratches you look fine. Stacked as usual. Charming the world. Oh, Stevie, it’s so good to know you’re okay.”
    Stevie laughed a bit then. She really liked these people and was glad they were her friends. Her past life must have been at least pretty good with friends like these.
    They were near the front of the club and Stevie looked around. It was a lovely place with highly polished parquet floors and off-white walls. A bar with sparkling barware and bottles of liquor lined one wall. There was a bandstand with a dark-red stage and Stevie’s eyes narrowed as a vision came to her of her standing on that