"Roberts, Nora - Once More With Feeling" - читать интересную книгу автора (Roberts Nora)

time since she'd seen that helpless, ravaged look. "What happened ?"

Raven let out a long breath. "He's back."

"Where did you see him?" There was no need for Julie to ask for names.
In all the years of their association only two things had had the power
to put that look on Raven's face. One of them was a man.

"At the studio." Raven combed her fingers through her hair. "He was
up in the booth. I don't know how long he'd been there before I saw
him."

Julie pursed her lightly tinted lips. "I wonder what Brand Carstairs
is doing in California."

"I don't know." Raven shook her head. "He said business. Maybe he's
going to tour again." In an effort to release the tension, she rubbed
her hand over the back of her neck. "He's coming here tomorrow.

" Julie's brows rose. "I see."

"Don't turn secretary on me, Julie," Raven pleaded. She shut her eyes.
"Help me."

"Do you want to see him?" The question was practical. Julie- Raven
knew, was practical. She was organized, logical and a stickler for
details-all the things Raven wasn't. They needed each other.

"No," Raven began almost fiercely. "Yes..."

She swore then and pressed both hands to her temples. "I don't know."
Now her tone was quiet and weary. "You know what he's like, Julie. Oh,
God, I thought it was over. I thought it was finished!"

With something like a moan, she jumped from the stool to pace around
the room. She didn't look like a star in jeans and a simple linen
blouse. Her closet held everything from bib overalls to sables.

The sables were for the performer; the overalls were for her.

"I'd buried all the hurts. I was so sure." Her voice was low and a
little desperate. It was still impossible for her to believe that she
had remained this vulnerable after five years. She had only to see him
again, and she felt it once more. "I knew sooner or later that I'd run
into him somewhere."

She ran her fingers through her hair as she roamed the room. "I think
I'd always pictured it would be in Europe-London-probably at a party or
a benefit. I'd have expected him there; maybe that would have been
easier. But today I just looked up and there he was. It all came