More Than You Know by Jennifer Gracen Page B

debonair, charming, and gorgeous owner. Thoughts of Dane Harrison floated into her mind, but she swatted them away. It was a shame, because she would have loved a few rounds of sheet gymnastics with him. But no, that would never happen.
    What to do? Randi was at work, and Kelvin was spending the day at the beach with his new boyfriend. Though she was a voracious reader, she didn’t feel like reading. She didn’t mind being alone, she’d gotten used to it over the years. But sometimes she longed for company. Restlessness, laced with threads of anxiety, stirred inside her. She looked around aimlessly at the periwinkle walls, the framed artwork, her bookshelf, her few precious framed photos on the top shelf. She’d done her best to make her home feel cozy and warm. But there were times she couldn’t escape the quiet emptiness there, the loneliness of her life. And suddenly, this was one of them.
    With new determination, she rose from the couch and went to her bedroom. She stripped out of her sundress and changed into a tank top and loose shorts. The SPF 70 sunblock was in her small bathroom, and she slathered it all over her arms, legs, chest, face, every inch of pale skin that was exposed. She grabbed her big floppy sun hat, her iPod, and her keys, and left to go for a walk down by the water. The sight and sounds of the Long Island Sound always had a way of soothing her soul. She’d just make sure to stay away from the park; the sound of happy children playing would break her heart when she was in a melancholy mood like this.
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    The next day, as Julia emerged from the cab, her heart began to beat a little faster. Excitement and anticipation fired up all her senses. It was a gorgeous early June day in New York City, warm but not too hot yet, with the sun shining from a clear, bright blue sky. A few trees dotted the length of the sidewalk, and a soft breeze made the emerald leaves flutter and sway. The cacophony of city sounds—traffic, horns blowing, human voices—seemed to fade around her as she looked up at the entrance to the impressive soon-to-open Hotel Alexandra.
    This was really happening.
    She removed her wide sunglasses and tucked them into her large shoulder bag, shuffling around inside it for a mint. As she chewed it up quickly, she tried to calm her suddenly rapid breathing and swept her hair back from her face. The contracts had been signed and delivered two weeks before, her photo shoot and press kit arranged and completed the week before. In two short weeks, she’d be the headlining singer at this sleek Manhattan hotspot. It was surreal. Her head hadn’t stopped spinning. And now, between the warm weather, her meager breakfast, and her nerves, she wondered if she’d even make it through the tour of the hotel Dane had invited her for—maybe she’d pass out instead.
    She pushed her way through the glass revolving door and into the lobby. Thankfully, it was cool, the welcome air conditioning flowing over her skin. She crossed the lushly carpeted floor to the main desk, smiling at the woman behind it. “Hi. I’m looking for Dane Harrison. I’m supposed to meet him here.”
    â€œMs. Shay?” the woman asked.
    â€œThat’s me.”
    â€œHe was here five minutes ago, but had to take a call. He asked if you’d be kind enough to wait and he’d be right back.”
    â€œSure. Could you just point me toward a ladies’ room while I wait?”
    Julia took the opportunity to survey her surroundings as she headed to the restroom. This would be her workplace, after all. From what she could see, the hotel was striking. Modern but not trendy, everything from the luxurious furnishings to the décor spoke of crisp elegance, style, taste, and big-time bucks. Dane Harrison had obviously spared no expense in the design and decorating of his newest hotel.
    She washed her hands, fixed her hair, and touched up her makeup. The slight