Page 16 of Prelude of Love (Harmony of Hearts #6)

Chapter Nine

EARLY

I hummed along to the music playing through the café’s speakers as I prepared for another busy morning at Brewhaha. Sunlight filtered through the windows, casting a warm glow over the polished counters and fresh pastries I’d arranged in the display case.

“Someone’s in a great mood today,” Wolfie said, leaning against the counter with a knowing grin. “Could it have anything to do with a certain rock star who you’re hoping is making heart eyes at your husband?”

“Maybe.” I busied myself with wiping down an already spotless espresso machine.

He laughed in disbelief. “I’ve seen less obvious flirting on a reality dating show. The way he was looking at you yesterday? That boy’s got it bad.”

“It’s not fair,” Brinley chimed in, draping herself over the pastry case. “How come all the hot guys are either taken or interested in you two? Maybe I should get a job at the Hurly-burly instead.”

“Hon, I adore you, but you’d combust from embarrassment the first time someone ordered a Sex on the Beach. Besides, weren’t you just telling me about that cute guy in your art class?”

“That’s different! He probably doesn’t even know I exist.” She straightened up, adjusting her apron. “Meanwhile, you have celebrities throwing themselves at you.”

“Nobody’s throwing themselves at anyone,” I said, though I couldn’t quite hide my pleased smile.

The morning regulars started filtering in right on schedule.

As I finished explaining our seasonal specials to a new customer, the bell above the door chimed.

My attention shifted, and there was Chance Prince, looking adorable in glasses and an oversized sweater that made him appear smaller than usual.

But something was different today. His normal swagger was absent, replaced by an almost shy demeanor as he shuffled in, hands stuffed in his pockets.

“Morning, superstar,” I called out, watching as he startled at my voice. “You’re up early.”

“I, uh, couldn’t sleep,” he said, playing with the sleeve of his sweater, making him look even younger. “I hoped coffee would help.”

“Aww, someone’s nervous,” Brinley whispered, not quietly enough, earning herself a gentle elbow from Wolfie.

“Do you want what you had yesterday, or are you in the mood to try something different?” I asked.

“Whatever magic you gave me yesterday would be great.”

I grabbed a cup and wrote on it with a flourish. “One Early Special coming right up.”

The bell over the door rang as Red bounced in, his auburn hair catching the morning light. “Early! Save me from death by caffeine withdrawal.”

“Already on it,” I laughed, holding up his cup I’d prepped.

Red sidled up next to Chance, bumping shoulders with him. “Morning, handsome. You’re looking extra cozy today.”

“Thanks.” Chance tugged at his sweater sleeves again. “I figured comfort over style for rehearsal day might help.”

“Rehearsal?” Red’s eyes lit up. “That’s right! You’re filming at Hurly-burly today. Is that why you look like you’re about to jump out of your skin?”

Chance groaned. “Is it that obvious? Shit, if I can’t even act normal here, I’m never going to make it through this movie.”

“You’ll be fine,” Red reassured him, patting Chance’s back. “Why are you worked up? You perform in front of crowds of thousands all the time.”

“That’s different. I know how to be a musician. Acting? That’s unfamiliar territory. What if I mess up and make everyone else look bad?”

“Brinley,” I called over my shoulder, “emergency protocol activated.”

“On it!” She already was pulling out a chocolate chip muffin. “Extra whipped cream coming right up!”

I passed Chance’s and Red’s drinks to them before focusing on the singer. “Listen here, hon. I told you last time, and it’s still true. You got this role because you’re talented. I’ve seen you perform. You know how to command attention and tell a story through song. Acting isn’t so different.”

“But—”

“No buts,” I interrupted, watching Brinley add a mountain of whipped cream to the muffin.

“You’re going to take this comfort food, drink your coffee, and remember that you’re Chance fucking Prince.

You have more natural charisma in your pinky than most people have in their whole body.

Then you’ll go to rehearsals and knock the socks off everyone. ”

“It’s true,” Red chimed in, picking up his drink. “You charmed the pants off everyone at the bar, almost literally, sometimes.”

I grinned at the implication. “Duke was more interested than he’s letting on?”

Red’s grin was radiant. “Yeah, he got extra growly yesterday when he dismissed me for an early break to get me away from Chance’s considerable charms.”

That earned a laugh from Chance as Brinley slid the muffin his way. “Doctor Brinley prescribes sugar and fluff for what ails you. Side effects may include excessive happiness and spontaneous dancing.”

“Your bedside manner is impeccable,” I praised her. I gestured for him to go take a seat with Red, then followed them to their table.

After sitting, Chance took a bite with a generous dollop of whipped cream and melted.

“That’s so delicious,” he moaned through another taste. It gave my dick ideas about other ways to make him moan, but I shushed those thoughts before they could get out of hand.

“See? The Brewhaha cure-all never fails.”

Red took a long sip of his coffee and sighed contentedly. “You’re a lifesaver, Early. Duke would kill me if I showed up dragging today with all the filming prep.”

“Can’t have that. Who else would keep him entertained with your dating disasters?”

Red pretended to be offended. “Hey, my love life isn’t that bad.”

“Really?” I raised a challenging eyebrow. “What about last week when that guy from the bar turned out to be a professional clown who wanted you to dress up as a mime for his private birthday party performance?”

Chance almost choked on his muffin. “He what ?”

“In my defense, I didn’t know about the mime thing until after we’d already made out in his car.” Red’s face flushed as red as his hair. “And for the record, I would’ve looked amazing in striped pants and face paint.”

“Hon, the man had a trunk full of rubber noses and rainbow wigs. That should’ve been your first clue to bail.”

“Listen.” Red pointed his coffee cup at me for emphasis. “He was hot, and he did this thing with his tongue that proved he wasn’t just good at blowing up balloons.”

“I’m going to stop you right there before this story gets any more X-rated.” I laughed hard at his dating antics. “Some things should stay between a man and his balloon animals.”

Red snorted in amusement. “I was smart enough not to stick around for him to pretend to pull a never-ending scarf out of my asshole. I bailed after he somehow played a kazoo noise while blowing my dick as a prelude to asking me to role-play as the famous French mime Marcel Marceau for his birthday present.”

We laughed until tears filled our eyes.

“On that note ,” Red said, triggering another round of laughter at his choice of words. “I better head out. Good luck with rehearsals, handsome. I’ll see you later.”

Once he bounced out the door, I took his seat. “What’s got you tied up in knots? And don’t tell me it’s only first-day jitters. ”

He picked at the muffin, avoiding my gaze. “How do I keep up with Rook Warrick? And the director’s known for being…” Chance paused, searching for the right word.

“A perfectionist?”

“That’s putting it mildly.” He pushed his glasses up his nose. “I heard that during his last movie, he went above and beyond to make the lead actress cry because her sobbing wasn’t ‘authentically devastated’ enough. How do I not let that get in my head?”

I couldn’t help but chuckle. “Has Duke told you about his doubts when he first opened Hurly-burly?”

Chance’s head snapped up. “He had doubts? But he’s so Duke .”

“Oh, hon, you should’ve seen him. There was a restaurant consultant who told Duke his menu was ‘pedestrian’ and his business plan was ‘amateur hour at best.’ Duke stress-cooked for three days straight. We had so many practice burgers I thought I’d turn into one.”

Chance’s eyes widened. “But they’re amazing.”

“They are now. But it took time, practice, and a lot of cursing in the kitchen.” I reached across the table to pat his hand. “The point is, everyone starts somewhere. Even Duke ‘I-could-bench-press-a-car’ Morrow had to learn his craft.”

“But what if I’m not cut out for this? What if I’m just wasting everyone’s time?”

“Can I tell you a secret?” I waited until he nodded. “That feeling you’re having? That ‘what if I’m not good enough’ voice in your head? It means you care about doing a good job. The real imposters are the ones who think they know everything already.”

“But I?—”

I pointed at his barely touched muffin. “Eat your comfort food and listen to your fairy godfather for a minute.”

That earned me a small laugh as he dipped it into the whipped cream before savoring a taste.

“You landed this role because you have something special to bring to it. True, they didn’t cast you for your extensive acting resume. They picked you because you understand what it means to perform, to connect with an audience. That’s something you can’t teach.”

“I guess.” He still looked uncertain, but some of the tension had left his shoulders.

“My point is, you’ve already learned how to take criticism as a musician and use it to get better.

That’s half the battle right there. Acting is no different.

” I watched as he straightened up, some of his usual confidence returning.

“Besides, between you and me? I believe you’ll surprise everyone with how good you can be. ”

“You think so?”

“Hon, I’ve been to your concerts. You don’t just sing songs. You tell stories by making people feel things. That’s what acting is all about.” I winked at him. “Plus, you’re pretty easy on the eyes, which never hurts.”

He ducked his head, but not before I caught his pleased expression. “Thanks, Early. I needed this.”

“Anytime. And if anyone gives you shit, the best revenge is doing a great job.”

Chance’s smile turned sultry as he leaned across the table. “How can I ever thank you for your sage advice?”

“I can think of a few ways, but most of them would get us in trouble with the health department.”

“Early!” He laughed, adjusting his glasses. “And here I thought you were the nice one.”

“Duke will tell you all about how nice I can be. When I’m not pushing all his buttons, of course.”

His voice dropped an octave, sending a delicious shiver through me. “I’d love to find out firsthand.”

“Careful what you wish for. I might take you up on that offer.”

After he finished eating, he checked his phone and groaned. “Shit, I need to head to Hurly-burly for rehearsal.” Standing up, he straightened his sweater before picking up his coffee cup. “Thanks again for the pep talk. And the muffin.”

“Break a leg, hon. But not literally. Duke would go ballistic if his pretty new toy broke before he could play with it.”

The return of Chance’s confident grin was like seeing the sun break through the clouds after a storm. I watched him leave, pride and concern warring in my chest.

Brinley swooned as I returned behind the counter. “Can you blame me for staring? He’s even more gorgeous up close!”

“Down, girl.” Wolfie chuckled. “Though I have to say, boss, that was some serious flirting going on. Good thing Duke wasn’t here to see it. He’d go full caveman.”

I grinned. “That’s half the reason I do it. Nothing gets Duke more fired up than a little competition.”

“And the other half?” Wolfie asked.

My grin turned wicked. “I wouldn’t mind if both of them got competitive one-upping each other.”

Hopefully, I’d be making that dream a reality soon. Something told me Duke watching Chance struggle on set would trigger his protective instincts that demanded he take care of the younger man by involving him in our relationship.

I couldn’t wait.