“Let me look over the contract one more time,” Rob grunts, placing his reading glasses on his nose, reaching for the stack of papers across from him. He sits on a barstool at the island counter while I sit on the other side, plucking at the strings on my custom cherry-red Taylor 814ce guitar while I listen for a tune to fit special lyrics I’ve been writing down.
Rob’s nonsense about the contract has been going on for the past two days. I’m set to meet with Karoline and Genevieve today at the boutique, and Rob is insistent about tagging along and making sure I’m getting good exposure and pay. But I keep telling him I’m not doing this promotion for exposure or pay…
I’m doing it for Braxton as a thank you, at least that’s what I’ve told everyone.
The reality? I’m doing it to get my foot in the door with Karoline’s good graces again. To me, that’s more important than money or fame.
Three years too late to realize that, bud,I chastise myself. A melody begins to play in my head, a sound of renewed hope, joy, and surprises. I transfer the sound from my head to the guitar.
“Mason, I’m telling you. You need to demand more pay for this promotion.” He removes his glasses from his face and sets them on top of the papers. “The woman will get ladies and gentlemen flocking to not only her brick and mortar store, but also her online community because you’re a part of it.”
“I’ve told you before. This isn’t about pay. It’s why I didn’t want to bother you with it.”
“Look, kid.”
“I’m not a kid,” I growl.
“Okay, okay.” He holds his hands up. “But you are a brand. You have to treat yourself as such.”
“I do. All the time. It’s good to do things for others, though. And this is one thing that I want to do for my friends. God allowed me to meet Braxton at the right place and the right time, and I want to act on my thankfulness for His timing.”
“I can’t talk you out of this, can I?” Rob asks, defeat lacing his voice.
“Afraid not,” I say. Rob’s downcast look tugs at my heart, though. “However, if you would like to come alongside me and be a part of it, I would be appreciative. Your wisdom and insight are always welcomed, even if I choose a different direction.”
Rob perks up. “Glad to hear it, Mason. What time is the meeting again?”
I set my guitar down, satisfied with the melody, and I check my silver watch. “In about thirty minutes, actually. So we should get going.”
“Lead the way,” Rob says, gesturing towards the front door of the cabin. We step out, walk through the deadened January grass, and hop into my Tundra.
Fifteen minutes later, we arrive at the boutique a little over two hours before it’s set to open. I tug on the door, but it’s locked. Before I even get the chance to knock, Hadley waltzes up, twists a knob, and holds the door open for us.
“Sorry about that. You guys are a little early.”
“Is that okay?” I ask, though I’m already pushing my way through the door in search of Karoline.
“Fine by me!” Hadley grins and Rob introduces himself. I guess I should have made introductions, as that is the polite southern thing to do, but my eyes are scanning the buildingfor Karoline like I’m the Secret Service on watch for an assassination attempt. Where is that beautiful woman?
I search by the clothing racks, then by the jewelry section. I examine the candles, the knick-knack gifts, the shoes. I even take a quick stroll through the lingerie portion of the store, careful not to let my eyes linger too long on pieces of silk or lace. I knowexactlywhere my mind would drift to. In fact, it does as I come across this silky olive green tank and shorst set that would look plain sexy on…
“Whatcha doing?”
“Karoline!” A smile sweeps my face as she pokes her head out of a door that leads to what I presume to be the back of the store meant for employees only.
“I don’t think that’s your size, but I can see what we have in the back if you’d like.”
My eyes widen with horror as I realize I’m clutching the silky shorts. I mask the embarrassment with what I do best. Easing into a lazy grin, I reply, “You know, I was just thinking that I could buy this foryou. As a Valentine’s Day gift and all. A way to say thank you for including me in your promotion.”
She narrows her blue eyes as she steps from behind the door and saunters towards me. “I willnotwear that for you, Mason Kane. Plus, I don’t do Valentine’s Day. It’s a beacon for single awareness. Not a fan.”
Unable to control myself, I take two steps towards Karoline, backing her up against the white bricked wall. I place a hand beside her head and lean in as she tilts her chin up, eyes blazing.
She still smells like lavender.
“I never said you had to wear it for me, but if that’s what you want to do, Vroom, by all means, be my guest. I’ll help you celebrate Valentine’s Day in any shape or form you want. Maybe you’ll appreciate the holiday as a fun celebration of love after that.”
I fully expect her to shove me away when she places a firm hand on my chest, but instead, she stands on her tiptoes, our lips mere breaths away from each other. “Oh, please. You couldn’t handle me in that silk, anyway.”
