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Charles glanced at his watch and wondered where Stephanie was. Usually, he would be upset when someone disrespected his time. But Stephanie was the only person in his life that could get away with it. He adored the sexy singer, and every time she was near, he felt invincible.
He took a sip of ice water and focused his attention on the crowd of Fashion Island shoppers as they moseyed past the Chinese dim sum restaurant. He and Stephanie would frequently dine there late Saturday morning and then spend the rest of the afternoon walking along the beach or snuggling at her place.
Even though he wanted more from the singer, she had made it clear that she wasn’t interested in a serious relationship. The fact that she flirted with other men bothered him, but he was willing to accept the limitations of their relationship so that he could be with her. She made him feel alive and masculine, and that was all that mattered to him.
He felt a soft hand caress the back of his neck, and he knew she had arrived.
“Sorry I’m late, honey. I had a surprise visit from a friend, and that set me behind.” She gave Charles a peck on the lips and waited as he pulled out her chair.
“Another one of your guy friends?” As they sat down together, Charles could feel the jealousy inside spread like a contagious disease.
“Charles, you know I don’t like to discuss my private life with you. So when we spend time, let’s focus on ourselves for the moment. I only care about what’s happening with you. Okay?”
Charles tried to keep his leg from bouncing. “I’m sorry; I’m trying to focus on us, but I can’t ignore the fact it bothers me when you spend time with other guys.”
Stephanie slid a hand under his jaw. “Don’t worry about the other men. They can’t compare to you, Charles. You’re more man than they’ll ever be.”
“Really? You think so?” Charles could feel the tension fade from his body. “I don’t know why it bothers me so much. I want us to be happy.”
“Of course you do. I think it’s because you’re upset about Mary and the fact she fired you.”
“You’re right.” He lowered his gaze to the table. “I can’t deny the fact it’s eating me up inside. She has a lot of nerve thinking I’m disposable. I deserve to help her to lead the group. I was the one who gave her the idea and helped launch the group from scratch.” He pounded his palms on the table and looked Stephanie straight in the eye. “You know Women of Grace wouldn’t be where it is today without my help.”
“Of course not, dear.” She reached out and comforted his hand with hers. “It was your directing skills that got us to where we are today.”
“You’re darn right it did. And that new musical director she hired, what’s his name? Jorge or James?”
“Joshua.”
“That Joshua, if he thinks he can do better than me, good luck to him because the band is already at its pinnacle of success.”
“Honey, of course, he can’t compare to your experience. You’ve been in this business much longer than him.”
“I sure have. I may not have as much experience directing big-name artists as he has, but I know my stuff.”
Stephanie’s forehead wrinkled with concern. “I hate to see you so riled up about this. Maybe we should take this weekend to relax and hang out at the beach or the museum. I hear they have a new art exhibit down at Laguna Beach.”
Charles wrapped his hands around hers. “Thanks for always thinking of me. What would I do without you?” He leaned over and gave her a brief kiss on the lips. “But I can’t relax. Not with this thing eating me up on the inside. I’m going to force Mary to fire Joshua and reappoint me as director.”
Stephanie narrowed her sultry eyes at him. “And how do you propose to do that?”
He shook his head in bewilderment as a sigh escaped his lips. “I don’t know, but I’m going to figure something out. No one fires Charles Webb and gets away with it.”
