Once More With Feeling Read Online Free

in to drink away what was left of her life? Raven made a determined effort to push her mother out of her mind, but the terrible images, the frightful scenes, played on in her mind.
    It’s my life! I have to get on with it,
Raven told herself, but she could feel the bitter taste of sorrow and guilt rise in her throat. She started when the door across swung open and Wayne walked in.
    He leaned against the knob. “Beautiful!” he said admiringly, surveying her. “Did you wear that for me?”
    She made a sound that was somewhere between a laugh and a sob as she moved across the room to hug him. “Of course. Bless you!”
    â€œIf you were going to dress up for me, you might at least have worn something of mine,” he complained but returned the embrace. He was tall, a thin reed of a man who had to bend over to give her the quick kiss. Not yet thirty, he had a scholarly attractive face with hair and eyes the same rich shade of brown. A small white scar marred his left eyebrow and gave him, he preferred to think, a rakish profile.
    â€œJealous?” Raven grinned and drew away from him. “I thought you were too big for that.”
    â€œYou’re never too big for that.” He released her, then made his way across to the bar. “Well, at least take off your hat and coat.”
    Raven obliged, tossing them aside with a carelessness that made Wayne wince. He gazed at her for a long moment as he poured out a Perrier. She grinned again and did a slow model’s turn. “How am I holding up?” she demanded.
    â€œI should have seduced you when you were eighteen.” He sighed and drank the sparkling water. “Then I wouldn’t be constantly regretting that you slipped through my fingers.”
    She came back for her ginger ale. “You had your chance, fella.”
    â€œI was too exhausted in those days.” He lifted his scarred brow in a practiced gesture that always amused her. “I get more rest now.”
    â€œToo late,” she told him and touched her glass to his. “And you’re much too busy with the model-of-the-week contest.”
    â€œI only date all those skinny girls for the publicity.” He reached for a cigarette and lit it elegantly. “I’m basically a very retiring man.”
    â€œThe brilliance of the pun I could make is terrifying, but I’ll pass.”
    â€œWise,” he concluded, then blew out a delicate trail of smoke. “I hear Brand Carstairs is in town.”
    Raven’s smile fled, then returned. “He never could keep a low profile.”
    â€œAre you okay?”
    She shrugged her shoulders. “A minute ago I was beautiful, now you have to ask if I’m okay?”
    â€œRaven.” Wayne laid a hand on top of hers. “You folded up when he left. I was there, remember?”
    â€œOf course I remember.” The teasing note left her voice. “You were very good to me, Wayne. I don’t think I would have made it without you and Julie.”
    â€œThat’s not what I’m talking about, Raven. I want to know how you feel now.” He turned her hand over and laced his fingers through hers. “I could renew my offer to go try to break all his bones, if you like.”
    Touched and amused, she laughed. “I’m sure you’re a real killer, Wayne, but it isn’t necessary.” The straightening of her shoulders was unconscious, a gesture of pride that made Wayne smile. “I’m not going to fold this time.”
    â€œAre you still in love with him?”
    She hadn’t expected such a direct question. Dropping her gaze, she took a moment to answer. “A better question is, did I ever love him?”
    â€œWe both already know the answer to that one,” Wayne countered. He took her hand when she would have turned away. “We’ve been friends a long time. What happens to you matters to me.”
    â€œNothing’s going to happen to