Terrence half listened to the updates from the different departments in his record company. Unlike the larger companies, he had a limited number of artists represented under his label and preferred to keep it that way. He was less interested in turning a quick profit by putting out several one-hit wonders and more concerned with developing an artist for longevity in the business. He wanted each person to feel as if he or she was an individual, instead of a product. His father had always stressed the importance of treating people with respect. Terrence could hear his voice as clearly as if his father was sitting right next to him. If you respect the people who work for you, they’ll respect you and work hard. Respect is earned, and remember that money isn’t always the most important thing.
Usually music and everything related to it filled his thoughts, but today something—rather, someone—else dominated the space in his brain. He’d sent Janae flowers and hoped she’d received them. He made a mental note to call her, then turned his attention back to his business manager’s report. At the conclusion of the meeting, everyone filtered out slowly, until only Donovan, Audrey, his business manager, and Brad, the company’s attorney, remained.
Terrence had met Audrey when they were paired up for a business class project in college, and she introduced him to Brad, whom she married right after graduation. They, along with Donovan, were part of his small circle of friends, and there wasn’t anything they wouldn’t do for each other.
“Are you okay, Terrence?” Audrey asked as she closed the door.
“Yeah, why?”
“I don’t know. You seem preoccupied, which is totally unlike you when it comes to business or music.”
“I’ve been wondering the same thing,” Brad added. “For the past couple of days, you’ve been acting strange. Did something happen when you were in the Bay Area?”
“Yeah, Terrence. Did something happen?” Donovan asked with a grin.
Audrey came back to the table. “You were there, Donovan. I thought the concert went off without a hitch and you guys took a couple of days to wind down.”
“We did,” Donovan confirmed with a smile.
Terrence glared at him. “I’m fine. Is there anything else?”
Audrey stared at him for a long moment. “What did you do in San Francisco, Terrence? I’m trying to get Brad to take me.”
“We hung out on the pier sightseeing and took one of the sunset cruises to the Golden Gate Bridge.”
“Ooh, that sounds romantic. Too bad you didn’t have someone to share it with.” She sighed wistfully.
Terrence didn’t comment, but noted the grin on Donovan’s face.
Audrey came around the table and placed her arms around Terrence. “It’s all right. You don’t have to tell me her name...yet.”
Terrence whirled around in his chair. “What? How did you...?”
She arched an eyebrow and smiled knowingly. “Women’s intuition, and you have the signs.”
“What signs?”
“I’m not telling my secrets.” She pulled out the chair next to Donovan and sat. “Okay, Mr. Wright, tell me all about her. Where did he meet her? What does she look like? Does she seem like a nice person? And please don’t tell me she’s one of those stalker groupies.” She shuddered.
Donovan chuckled and shook his head.
“What? I need to make sure she’s worthy of my little brother.”
They all laughed. She’d been calling Terrence her brother since their college days, and every time she introduced him as such, people stared in disbelief at the five-foot-eight-inch, blond-haired, blue-eyed beauty with the dazzling smile standing next to the tall, handsome chocolate-skinned man.
As Donovan began to speak, Terrence’s phone rang.
He quickly dug it out of his pocket, thinking something had happened to one of his grandparents. They were the only ones who called his personal cell during the day.
When he saw the display, his features softened. He stood and quickly left the room, not caring about the laughter he heard behind him.
Janae was surprised when she opened her door to a florist carrying a huge arrangement of pink roses and white calla lilies. She tried to tip the delivery person, but the man told her it had been taken care of. She thanked him and carried the flowers to an end table in her living room. She pulled off the card and opened the envelope.
Thinking of you, Terrence.
A huge grin blossomed on her face. Already, the fragrance of the flowers filled the space. She started to put the card back, but decided it would be better off in the nightstand by her bed. Then her smile faded. As much as she didn’t want to, her mind questioned why he’d sent them. The last man to give her flowers was Carter Harris. They dated for six months before he turned possessive. He used the excuse that he loved her and was afraid she’d leave him. After they’d slept together once, he got worse and she had been ready to end their relationship.
He sent flowers, thinking that she would show her appreciation by not breaking things off and sleeping with him again. When Janae refused, he got rough. But her three brothers had taught her how to protect herself. The surprise blows to his face and groin gave her time to escape to her bedroom, where she locked the door and called Devin. One minute she heard Carter banging on her door and yelling, the next she heard her brother threatening him with bodily harm and to call the police if he didn’t leave. She hadn’t heard from Carter since that incident almost three years ago.
What would Terrence expect in return? He didn’t seem to possess the same arrogance as Carter and had treated her with respect the entire time they were together. But there were many superstars who expected women to fall at their feet.
She released a deep sigh. This was supposed to be a fantasy, and in fantasies, things did not get this complicated. Maybe she should stop this madness before it got started. The last thing she wanted or needed was another man to shatter her heart. Janae knew that however she felt, she did need to call and thank him for the flowers. She hesitated a moment, then picked up the phone.
“Hi, Terrence,” she said when he answered. “It’s Janae. I’m calling to thank you for the flowers.”
“You’re welcome. Did you like them?”
“I did. They’re very lovely.”
“I hoped you wouldn’t get upset.”
“Why would I get upset?”
“Do you remember what you said when I asked for your address?”
“Oh, yeah,” she said with a giggle. “Well, I guess I can make an exception for flowers.”
“Good.”
They both fell silent for a moment. “Well, I know you’re probably busy. I only wanted to let you know how much I appreciate the flowers.”
“I’m glad you like them. Are you going to be busy this weekend?”
“Probably not. Why?”
“The rest of my week will be really busy, so I may not be able to call you until then.”
“It’s no problem. We’ll talk whenever you have some time. Go back to work. I’ll talk to you later.”
“Okay. Talk to you soon.”
* * *
He disconnected and inhaled deeply. I need to see her. He walked back into the room and met the smiling faces of his friends. “Don’t