Love Songs by Bernadette Marie Page B

her performance is top notch. And if you print otherwise I’ll make sure there is rebuttal against it. Her money isn’t worth you ruining the career of someone else.”
    The man made an obvious gesture to push send on whatever he’d been typing and then tucked the phone into his pocket. “Like I said, it’s a job…”
    Warner held his hand up to stop him and he noticed it shook with anger. “Get out of here before I have you removed.”
    The corner of the man’s mouth curled upward as he gave Warner a curt nod and walked out of the lobby through the front doors.
    Warner sucked in a breath and then took a long pull from his beer as Ed walked up to him.
    “You okay?” He reached out and rested his hand on Warner’s shoulder.
    Warner quickly evaluated his situation. Ed could very likely take him down right there in the theater literally or he could take him down by telling Clara he was no good for her. But then again, Warner knew that already in his own heart and he was sure he’d mentioned it to Clara too. But the fact was he loved her and he wanted her safe and happy and successful. How was that supposed to happen with him around?
    “Seriously, man, you’re freaking me out.” Ed withdrew his hand.
    “I’m fine.” He let out a breath. “My ex-stepmother has sent one of her many minions to write a bad review about Clara.”
    “Why?”
    “Because she can and people will listen.”
    Ed took a drink from his beer and was obviously contemplating what Warner had just said. “Why is Clara a threat to her?”
    “She’s not. She just happens to be the woman I love so she’ll do all she can to destroy that.”
    He saw the vein rise on Ed’s temple. “Love? You’ve known her less than two weeks.”
    “Yeah. I know it sounds stupid.”
    “If you’re busting his chops for that I’ll punch you in the stomach, Ed Keller,” Darcy walked up behind Ed. “Warner, what can we do to stop his review?”
    “Nothing. Freedom of speech.”
    She nodded. “There are a lot of reviewers. Not all of them have been to the show.” There was a shimmer in her eye and a sparkle to the smile that formed on her mouth. “Let’s just see what we can offer Nashville in twenty-four hours.”
    She walked away and Warner shifted his gaze back to a mortified looking Ed.
    “What is she planning?”
    Ed shook his head. “Patricia Little just messed with the Kellers. You don’t mess with the Kellers or the people they love.” Finally a smile broke from Ed and he reached for Warner’s shoulder. “Hold on tight. Might be a bumpy ride.”
     
    For the rest of the show Warner sat between Ed and Madeline trying his best to keep his body still like a small child enduring the theater. Truth was that he wondered how many others Patricia had sent.
    When Clara wasn’t on stage, Warner would quickly do a subtle scan of the audience to see if he could see anyone he might recognize. He didn’t.
    There was no reason for Patty to mess with Clara, or him for that fact, except her disdain for him pushed her ratings and gave her a bigger paycheck. Maybe he needed a reality show.
    The thought nearly made him laugh it was so funny, and the laugh would have been very out of place. It had come right as Tony was shot in the back.
    He’d waited all night for this moment and now it was here. No more kissing, until tomorrow, but now there were tears in Clara’s eyes. But he had to remember those tears were Maria’s not Clara’s.
    It didn’t matter though. He wanted to jump up on that stage and wrap her in his arms.
    When the curtain closed and reopened he found that he’d been the first to his feet with his applause. Or he thought he was. Carlos Keller was a swift man.
    As Clara took her curtain call, center stage, she looked down at him and blew him a kiss.
    He already knew he’d fallen in love with her, which he also knew was a big mistake. But the crushing tightness in his chest at that moment nearly had him on his knees. It was mutual love and