Savor the Moment
Page 1
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Table of Contents
Cover
Synopsis
Title Page
Copyright Page
About the Author
Acknowledgments
Dedication
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
Chapter Twenty-One
Chapter Twenty-Two
Chapter Twenty-Three
Chapter Twenty-Four
Chapter Twenty-Five
Chapter Twenty-Six
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Chapter Thirty
Chapter Thirty-One
Chapter Thirty-Two
Chapter Thirty-Three
Chapter Thirty-Four
Chapter Thirty-Five
Chapter Thirty-Six
Chapter Thirty-Seven
Chapter Thirty-Eight
Chapter Thirty-Nine
Chapter Forty
Chapter Forty-One
Chapter Forty-Two
Chapter Forty-Three
Chapter Forty-Four
Chapter Forty-Five
Chapter Forty-Six
Chapter Forty-Seven
Chapter Forty-Eight
Chapter Forty-Nine
Chapter Fifty
Chapter Fifty-One
Bella Books
Synopsis
Natalia Chambers is a successful singer/songwriter whose star is on the rise. But Nat has a problem. She can’t seem to write any new music and the pressure is on to write a follow-up to her last record. The fact that her last girlfriend betrayed her and left her with a wounded heart certainly isn’t helping any.
When Nat comes home from her latest tour, she’s ready for some serious R&R. The last thing she expects is a stunning pastry chef named Maddy LaDuke to send her tumbling (literally) head over heels. As Nat spends more time with Maddy she discovers a side benefit—it seems that their romance may hold the key to that serious writer’s block problem.
Just when Nat thinks she’s ready for something big with Maddy, an old flame arrives and tries to burn it all down. Will Nat and Maddy be able to put their hearts on the line and find trust in each other?
Copyright © 2019 by Dana Piccoli
Bella Books, Inc.
P.O. Box 10543
Tallahassee, FL 32302
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, without permission in writing from the publisher.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental. The publisher does not have any control over and does not assume any responsibility for author or third-party websites or their content.
First Bella Books Edition 2019
eBook released 2019
Editor: Ann Roberts
Cover Designer: Judith Fellows and Dana Piccoli
ISBN: 978-1-64247-042-0
PUBLISHER’S NOTE
The scanning, uploading, and distribution of this book via the Internet or via any other means without the permission of the publisher is illegal and punishable by law. Please purchase only authorized electronic editions, and do not participate in or encourage electronic piracy of copyrighted materials. Your support of the author’s rights is appreciated.
About the Author
Dana Piccoli is an entertainment writer and pop culture critic. She’s the Managing Editor of the Blog at Bella Books, and has written for sites The Mary Sue, The Portalist, Screener TV, and more. She’s also an experienced podcaster, moderator and event host. Dana was one of Curve Magazine’s Power List in Media in 2017. You can find her hanging out on Twitter talking about all things queer entertainment related @danapiccoli. She lives in South Carolina with her lovely wife and fur babies.
Acknowledgments
My first book! It’s hard to believe it’s even real. This romance has been in the works for over five years, and it all started with a long, boring car ride to Michigan, which gave me time to dream up this love story between Nat and Maddy.
This book would not have been possible without the support and encouragement of Linda and Jessica Hill. Thank you so much for believing in me.
A huge thank you to Ann Roberts, my editor, who has taught me so much. Your kindness and wisdom have been invaluable.
To my mother, who always told me one day I’d be a writer. I may have taken the long way around but I’m here. Thank you for your endless encouragement and always pushing me to follow my dreams, no matter how big or small.
To my father. We may not always speak the same language, but your love and support for me has never been in doubt. Thank you for putting me first your whole life.
Chelsea, Rebekah, and Kat. You three have been my greatest cheerleaders and I’m so grateful to you. You are the best mates a girl could ask for.
Lara, you and I have been on the same road for years and boy am I glad. Watching you publish your first novel was a hugely proud moment for me. Thank you for your kind words and friendship over the years.
Janice, you are the first writer I ever knew and you set one hell of an example for me. Thank you for everything.
Ryder and Evan, your input was so important to me. You are two incredible humans.
Natasha, our friendship has been a real gift and your dedication and indomitable spirit always inspire me.
And finally, to Lana, you have spent over a decade doing your best to help me achieve my dreams. I know it hasn’t always been easy, but you never gave up. I love you more than anything in this world.
For Lana, with you all things are possible.
Chapter One
Nat Chambers pushed open the backstage doors with a smile. Show nights always brought out the best in her and why shouldn’t she be happy? She was in a good band, no, a great band, with her best friends and was lucky enough to fall for her tour mate, Melissa Hartford. Both rising stars on the indie music scene, Nat and Melissa were a match made in musician heaven. Tonight, they would get to sing together in front of another sold-out audience and go back to their hotel together and celebrate six months of being a couple. Nat had already ordered Melissa’s favorites, champagne and chocolate, from room service. Things felt like they might be getting serious and Nat wanted to make sure everything was perfect. Melissa was a real catch. Beautiful, with dark hair and piercing blue eyes, an incredible voice and a biting sense of humor. Nat pulled out her phone to see if Melissa had returned her text from earlier and was disappointed to not see a new message. Nat shrugged it off. She was probably exploring with her band and lost track of time. She was a real artist and could easily get lost in her passions.
Nat
nodded to the backstage crew and headed toward her best friend and bassist Lara Bianchi’s dressing room. Her other bandmate, Paul Lim, had stopped for a quick bite and a pack of cigarettes, so he’d probably be gliding in five minutes before showtime. Lara had been distant the last few days and Nat wanted to check in with her bestie and make sure she was all right. Lara had broken up with her long-time girlfriend a couple months prior and was having a rough time with it. Nat, who always wanted to be the kind of best friend you can count on, was worried Lara had fallen into a funk. Nat had been spending a lot of time with Melissa lately and made a promise to herself to make more time for Lara and Paul too. After all, without Paul and Lara’s support, Nat would still be playing open mics in Brooklyn for tips and free beer.
When Nat reached Lara’s dressing room, the door was closed but the lights were on, so Nat knew she’d be there. The trio had no secrets and being on tour together for so long created an open-door environment between them, so Nat found it a little odd that Lara’s door was mostly closed. Nat lightly knocked on the door before pushing it open.
“Hey girl,” Nat said as she let herself in. “I wanted to check in on you…” Lara was there, sitting on her dressing table with her breasts exposed and her skirt hiked up. Her blond head was thrown back in pleasure. Another woman’s head was deep between her thighs, and Lara looked like she had about reached her bliss. Nat was mortified, but it’s not like she’d never encountered one of her bandmates in a delicate position before.
“I am so sorry, Lara,” Nat winced as she covered her eyes. “I didn’t know you had someone in here. Carry on, I will see myself out.” Nat started to back out of the doorway when Lara spoke, her voice full of alarm.
“Nat, oh god, no. I… I am so sorry,” Lara said, her voice breaking and on the verge of tears.
Nat removed the hand shielding her eye and watched her friend of over a decade quickly cover herself as a familiar face emerged from between her legs. Melissa. Lara was a mess of blubbering tears and trembling fingers as she tried to button up her blouse and pull down her skirt. Melissa didn’t speak but her face was flushed and her expression unreadable.
Nat felt vomit rise in her throat as her legs went to jelly beneath her. She grabbed the door frame to steady herself. Lara ran to her and took Nat’s shoulders in her hands. Nat could feel Lara shaking her, and recognized the words coming out of her mouth, but it was like Nat was underwater and sinking fast.
“Why?” Nat managed to squeak out.
Lara dropped to her knees and wept, and it was Melissa who stepped forward. “Nat, it just happened,” Melissa said, her voice flat and emotionless compared to the sobbing pile that was Lara. “Please don’t make a big deal out of it, okay?”
“My best fucking friend?” she spit out like nails.
“Honey, you know I love you. This was just… It didn’t mean anything.”
Nat looked over to Lara who choked on her tears, her face red and puffy. She looked so ashamed that Nat had to turn away because she started to feel sorry for her.
“When?” Nat asked.
“When, what?” Melissa replied.
“When did this start?”
Melissa bit her lip, and it was Lara whose broken voice rose just barely loud enough to hear. “A month ago.”
Nat let out a harsh little laugh and quickly wiped away a tear as it trickled down her face. “A month. A fucking month?”
“Lara, you should really learn to keep your mouth shut,” snapped Melissa. She stepped closer to Nat until there was little space between them. “You know me. I’m just not good with being tied down. I want to for you, though. It’s just…hard.” Melissa ran her fingers along Nat’s shoulder and Nat yanked her arm away. Melissa sighed. “Be the bigger person, Natalia. This doesn’t have to change anything.”
Nat swallowed and steadied herself. “Oh Melissa, this changes everything.”
Chapter Two
Eight Months Later…
“Okay, on the count of three. One, two, three!” exclaimed Nat as she and Paul hauled a Marshall Stack amplifier out of the van.
“Sweet Jesus,” Paul panted as he pushed the amp to the side. “You know, Nat, we really need to get a new roadie.”
Nat wiped a bead of sweat from her forehead. “Well, considering you slept with our last roadie and he ran out of the Denny’s in St. Louis crying, I’m thinking perhaps you should hush and start working on those rippling biceps of yours.”
Paul smirked and Nat couldn’t help but laugh. “Nat, just because you have a strict ‘no groupie or crew’ policy yourself, doesn’t mean the rest of us don’t like to have a little fun now and then.” He grabbed his kick drum and hoisted it high on his chest with a grunt. “I love you, babe, but sometimes you could stand to loosen up. You are a rock star, for chrissakes.”
“I’m not a rock star,” she said with mock indignation, her shoulders held back “I’m a moderately successful singer/songwriter.” He rolled his eyes with a smile as she picked up a Zildjian cymbal from the floor of the van and spun it on her finger. “And see? I’ve got mad skills. This is what I do when you and Jackie are off partying and getting laid.” The cymbal made a whooshing sound as it circled her finger.
“Very nice. The ladies will be very impressed. By the way, where is Jackie?” He put down the drum and scanned the backstage area. “We could use a little help!”
“I’ll check the sound booth. She’s probably offering her unsolicited advice to a very receptive soundman.” Nat shielded her eyes from the stage lights and peered out into the house. “Jackie, can you get your cute lil’ self up here and help Paul and me unload the rest of the van?”
“Coming, darlings!” called a lyrical British accent from the top of the house. “Tell Paul to quit his whining.” With that Nat’s other bandmate Jackie Adeyemi came bounding down the aisle, her dark ponytail swinging with every step. When she reached the stage, Nat hoisted her up.
“I can already tell the acoustics in here are choice,” Jackie said as she gave Nat a quick pat on the cheek. She blew a giant kiss to the sound guy, while secretly giving him a finger only Nat could see. Nat laughed as Jackie skipped off to help Paul and smacked him on the ass when she got there. Nat could hear them in the distance.
“Look there, you don’t even need me! Bob’s your uncle!” teased Jackie in her exaggerated British accent.
Paul picked up the petite cello player in a bear hug. “God, I love you, but I can’t understand a damn thing you say.” He put her down before they disappeared onto the loading dock.
Nat smiled to herself; how she adored her band, this life. The stage beneath her feet was well worn and solid. It felt like it held the notes of a million songs that played before her. Tonight was the last night of the final leg of their US tour and tomorrow the Nat Chambers Band would head home to NYC for some well-deserved rest before they started work on their new album. Life was perfect. Well, maybe not perfect, but close enough.
Chapter Three
Nat slid the key into the door of her Long Island City loft and breathed an exhausted sigh of relief. Life on the road, while exciting, was nothing compared to her nice warm bed and coffee in her own kitchen. When she opened the door, there stood her main man, Eddie. She bent down to rub his furry gray head, and he chirped and purred a welcome home. She brought in her guitar and suitcase as Eddie made figure eights between her feet. She made her way into the living room, where there was a note from Oliver Vargas, her full-time manager and part-time cat sitter.
Welcome home, beautiful. Hope the last show went off without a hitch. Take a few days to regroup, then give me a call. Lots to talk about, good things.
Oliver.
Ps…there is your favorite Thai takeout waiting for you in the fridge.
Pps. Your cat is an asshole.
Nat snorted a laugh and looked at Eddie, who now lounged on the couch and licked his nether regions. “Classy. What did you do this time, buddy?” Eddie washed his face and avoided the question. Na
t opened the fridge, which was empty except for a bottle of Sauvignon Blanc and a container of Pad Thai.
“Sweet ambrosia! Oliver, you are a goddamn saint, you know that?” She’d thank him in person soon enough, but now it was time to become one with the wine and noodles. She poured herself a glass and took a long sip. It was so beautifully grassy and herbaceous; she nearly teared up with joy. She took the glass and the Pad Thai and plopped herself on the couch next to Eddie. Grabbing the remote she channel surfed and stopped when she heard her own voice singing back at her. As the opening credits of the popular med school drama Trauma University rolled, so did her song, which had been chosen as the show’s familiar theme music.
Three years earlier, her song “Heart/Break” was chosen to play in the opening title sequence of the new show. Little did she know it would go on to be such a huge hit and gain her legions of new fans, not to mention boost her record sales. (It also scored her a make-out session with one of the shows gorgeous female leads in a bathroom stall at the show’s premiere party.) After years of struggling to make rent and cover touring expenses, The Nat Chambers Band now sold out shows in college towns and bigger cities alike. She was able to buy her loft outright, pay off all her credit cards and live comfortably for the first time in her adult life.
She raised her glass to the screen. “Cheers, you beautiful bastards.”
Her phone chirped signaling a text message. She looked at Eddie, who was twisted into a ball, with just one eye open. Thinking it was Paul or Jackie checking in, she grabbed the phone. However, she immediately regretted reading the message. It wasn’t from her bandmates. In fact, it was the one person she decidedly did not want to hear from. Melissa.
Hi Natalia. Heard your tour was a success. Welcome home.
She tossed the phone across the room where it landed with a thud against the love seat. She drank the rest of her wine in a big gulp, turned off the TV, and marched to her bedroom, leaving her noodles uneaten on the coffee table. Eddie gave them a sniff and then followed his owner into the dark hallway toward the bedroom. She peeled off her jeans and undid her bra, leaving them haphazardly on the floor. She dove face first into the mattress and waited a moment before she released a long and muffled, “Fuuuuuuuuucck.”