Part 123 (2/2)

”I'm not much of a drinker.”

”That doesn't require an apology. Bri's enjoying himseIL” He nodded

over the wall to where Brian was sitting on the floor and, like a

traveling minstrel, plucking an acoustic guitar.

When she looked at him, strumming, singing for himself as much as for

the group surrounding him, the love poured through her. ”He enjoys

playing like this as much as in any stadium or studio.”

”More,” Johnno said before he tipped back the beer. ”Though I don't

think he knows it.”

”I think he's feeling better about all of this now.” She glanced around

at the mix of people crowded into her home. Her Home. ”After all, he'd

had a security system put in that would make the queen's guards at

Buckingham Palace look like pikers.”

”Annoying?”

”No. No, really it's not. Of course, I don't remember the code numbers

most of the time.” She sipped, content to stand in the kitchen a

half-wall away from the crowd and the laughter. ”Did Luke tell you that

he sent my portfolio over to Timothy Runyun?”

”He mentioned it.” Johnno c.o.c.ked his head. ”Problem?”

”I don't know. He's offered me a part-time job, as an a.s.sistant.”

He took a little tug on the hair she'd pulled back in a ponytail.

”There are pitiful few who start at the top, Emmy luy.”

”It's not that. It's not that at all. Runyun is one of the top ten

photographers in the country. Starting out with him as a janitor would

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