And his talent! Danza del Fuego still thrummed in her head, in her heart. An elementary composition, he had said. She couldn’t wait to hear him play something difficult!
“I hope you’re right,” she said to Ryan. “I need him tonight.”
“There’s still time.”
“He missed warm up.”
“I’m sorry about that. I’ll find him for you if it comes to that.”
She smiled. “Thanks. You’re a friend. What do you see in him, anyway?”
Ryan chuckled. “We’ve known each other a long time. Grew up together actually.”
“Really? So you’re blue blood too?”
Ryan grinned. He had a crooked smile, lips not as full as Chandler’s, but very attractive nonetheless. His rugged dark looks contrasted nicely with his friend’s wholesome corn-fed appearance. Faded jeans and an AC/DC T-shirt. Chandler would never wear that. Never in a million years, despite the fact that he’d look amazing. Ryan also looked amazing in a totally different way. Very sexy.
“I’m afraid my blood’s as red as yours. My mother was the Hamiltons’ maid. I lived in their house.”
Jane widened her eyes. Wow. Not what she’d expected at all. “And you’re close?”
“Best of buds almost our whole lives. Even when he went away to school we kept in touch. And the Hamiltons put me through college. State university, not a private conservatory like Chandler, but they didn’t have to do it.”
“No, they didn’t.” Lucky Ryan. What she would give to go to college! “So his family’s nice?”
“They’re great. Very generous.”
“Okay.” Confusion tensed her forehead. “Why is he such an asshole then?”
“He’s not, Jane. He’s had…a rough couple days.”
“Yeah, I imagine it’s rough having everything handed to you. Great education, all the money in the world. Not to mention killer looks and a perfect body.”
Ryan let out a chuckle. “He works for his body. He eats right and works out.”
“And drinks like a fish.”
“Like I said, that’s not really him.”
“Right. He’s had a difficult few days. You can see I’m playing my violin over here.”
Ryan smiled weakly. “It’s not an excuse for what he did to you. You’re absolutely right.”
Jane let out a sigh. “Look. I know his life is far from perfect. Money can’t buy happiness and all that.” She shook her head. “I just wish I’d had all the opportunities he’s had, you know? It’s tiring sometimes, knowing I have the talent to make it but never having had any formal instruction. If I’d had his education, I wouldn’t be wasting it getting drunk and calling out other musicians.”
“It’s not him.”
“So you’ve said.” She adjusted her black lace top.
Too much cleavage? Probably, but part of her act was how she looked. She wasn’t just selling her music. She was selling an image. Just one more thing she envied about Chandler Hamilton. He didn’t have to market an image. He had the education to back up his talent. He could make it on his musical ability alone.
But here stood Ryan, a product of Chandler’s family’s generosity. Could there truly be a part of Chandler she wasn’t seeing? He had been gentle in her bedroom and again in his studio—well, not exactly gentle, but she wasn’t complaining. He certainly hadn’t pressured her or forced her into anything she didn’t want to do. She smiled.
“Chandler’s right.”
Ryan’s voice startled her. For a moment she’d forgotten he stood there. She licked her lips.
“Right about what?”