Page 18 of Perfect Satisfaction

I flap my hand at him before staring out at the crowd whose hands are all raised high into the sky. Dreamily, I wonder, “Isn’t he incredible?”

Smith brushes a hand over my hair before gruffly pressing a kiss against the top of my forehead. “He’s got a great support system.” Brendan’s stage manager wanders off, knowing tonight can’t get any more perfect.

Well, it would if Angie were by my side. For certain, Brendan would welcome her with open arms.

Just then a muscular arm slides around my back. I wrap mine around the whipcord lean waist of the man who hugs me close before beaming upward. Joshua’s handsome face grins down in return. He squeezes tightly for just a moment before he faces me toward the stage and in a rather non-Joshua move, grabs my arms and begins moving them in time to the motions Brendan’s making on stage.

My laugh is carefree for just a moment.

I don’t feel an ounce of heartache or anguish.

Right now, I’m not recalling my efforts today as I stood in front of my father at MSW pleading for the financial assistance to dissolve my marriage. In the recess of my mind, there’s an echo of our last conversation as Brendan’s voice soars high above the crowd asking them to join him in the chorus.

“I have asked you for exactly nothing, Father.”

“And I demand everything, Ursula. You made this decision. It’s up to you to resolve it appropriately.” West dismisses me with a flick of his hand.

I stumble out of his office, stunned. Horrified, as I realize he means for me to stay married to Arek.

Punishment to fit the crime? Who the hell knows what goes through the evil bastard’s mind but apparently he and my husband are cut from the same cloth.

Sensing I’m no longer tuned in to the here and now, Joshua stops with his antics, pulling me tighter against him. “I’ve got you, Sula.”

For just a few moments, I allow myself a momentary weakness of absorbing a man’s strength. I turn my face against his chest and rest my head against his heart. I know it’s every beat as I know few others. But I can’t remain as I am; not here.

When Brendan’s wife joins us, I shove my thoughts aside. Just in time as a flash goes off capturing the three of us for all time in the wings of this monumental show.

The thought pops into my head that like the song being sung by one of the greatest musicians of all time, I might be wearing broken boots, but one day I’ll find my way home. That day, I’ll be welcome with open arms by people who love me unconditionally.

Even if it’s not by the man who vowed to do so for eternity. An eternity that lasted until Liza Hina sauntered into his life.

I hold the bitterness that threatens to swamp over me with a small flicker of flame from the familial love that’s everywhere tonight. That flicker turns into a full-fledged flame.I’ll always have my family, as unconventional as we are.

Somehow, I’ll find a way to survive.

CHAPTERNINE

One of the sexiest supermodels of the century, Liza Hina, was spotted having an intimate lunch in New York with StellaNova reporter Arek Ronan.

Are they the newest celebrity duo to keep a close eye on?

—StellaNova

One Month Later—August

I grab the phone, annoyed.Assuming it’s my father demanding more money to keep his ass away from another blasted paparazzi madhouse, I snap, “What?”

“Is this how you greet friends these days?”

“Liza.” The temperature in my voice increases about twenty degrees with just her name. “Are we playing where in the world is the world’s skinniest with stick legs?”

“Must you always be such a...” Her voice trails off.

“Yes?” My voice drops into a purr of anticipation ready to do verbal warfare.

“A friend,” she finally laughs. “God, it’s so good to talk to you. How are you?”

I give one of the few people in the world the real answer. “Shitty. You?”