Read Outmatched in October (Spring River Valley Book 10) for Free Online Page B

is that you?” he asked before her courage returned. Damn caller ID. She couldn’t hang up now and remain an anonymous wrong number.
    “Hi, Jacob. I’m sorry to bother you so late.”
    He laughed. “You know what they say about New York never sleeping? It’s true. This is just the beginning of my evening. I hope you’re not calling to say you’ve changed your mind about the job.”
    There was a still a small part of her that wanted to do just that. It would be so easy right now to turn him down and revel in the freedom of never having to go anywhere but the places she knew. “No…” Her response slipped out unbidden, and she wished she could take it back. “I just wanted to…say I’ve been thinking about it a lot, and I’m pretty sure the job is going to be a great opportunity. I don’t want you to think I’m not grateful for the offer, and I can’t wait to start.” Was any of that even true? It sounded so good coming out, so confident and genuine, maybe she should take up acting as well as singing.
    “That’s great. I look forward to seeing you again this weekend, but if you’d like to drop in sooner , you’re welcome too. My suite here in the building is always available.”
    “Thanks, I’ll keep that in mind.”
    “Actually, I’m glad you called. I wanted to remind you that you can pick most of your own songs. We have a few special requests that our regulars like to hear, but most of the sets will be your choice, so if there’s any particular music you need, you can make a list and e-mail it to me at the club website. I’ll see that Liam gets it and has everything ready for you.”
    “Of course, I will. Thanks.” Each word brought her one step closer to never being able to get out of it. Why didn’t she just put the brakes on now? Because if she did, she’d spend the rest of her life wondering what could have been. Who g ot the opportunity of a lifetime and turned it down because they were scared? If she let this job pass her by, would she ever have the courage to change her life? She had to do this or she’d never forgive herself. And Owen had been right to find a replacement for her. In his own way he was supporting her decision even if on the surface all it looked like was that he was kicking her out of the band.
    “Claudia? Are you still there?”
    “Still here, but I’ve got to go. I have a lot of stuff to do. I’ll see you in a few days.”
    “I ’ll be counting the minutes.”
    That remark left Claudia speechless once again. Was he flirting with her or just being sweet to keep her confidence up? “So will I.” But for an entirely different reason , she added silently before she hung up.
    There. It was done. The decision was made . She should have been ecstatic, but instead she felt slightly numb and a little nauseated. She had to get over this fear of change or she’d never get anything that really mattered to her in life. She’d already seen how her inability to take chances and move forward had cost her the relationship she wanted to have with Owen. She couldn’t let it ruin anything else.
     
    * * * *
     
    “I have to admit she’s good,” Claudia said while she and Taylor were dismantling the microphone stands after their second set on Friday night. She hadn’t made any official statements, but in her head, this had been her last performance with Love Notes as well as Dani Lennox’s first. The redhead was now holding court with some of her coworkers from her day job at a local law firm. Buck, Colette’s manager, was looking on, thrilled to have a crowd of big tippers who’d stayed from happy hour to last call.
    “What?” Like Buck, Taylor seemed unable to tear his gaze away from Dani. She was pretty with her long auburn hair and amber eyes. She had an infectious laugh and a great sense of humor. As much as Claudia wanted to dislike her, she couldn’t. And the fact that Taylor appeared to be far more susceptible to her wily charms than Owen was didn’t hurt at