That information makes my body snap back up. “Wait?Oldoffice?”
“Oh yeah. That slimeball got exactly what was coming to him, including several charges for sexual harassment.” My mouth falls open. “Anyway, I found your demo and was blown away. Then when I looked you up online, clips from your performance this weekend were everywhere, and I just had to reach out to you. Are you busy this afternoon? I’d love for you to stop by the office so we can chat more.”
My eyes land on Remy again. “Uh, well…I’m actually in North Carolina.”
“Oh, dear. Yeah, that’s not a short commute.”
“No, it’s not,” I say through a laugh.
“Well, when’s the soonest you can get here?” I hear clicking in the background. “Time is of the essence here, Elodie. The executives arevery interested in you, but they have the attention spans of a gnat. Meeting in person will allow them to fall in love with you even faster.”
My mind is spinning as I’m trying to process what she’s saying and everything that I’m thinking and feeling right now. “Um, I’d have to ask my boss…”
“Hey, I get it. Tell you what, you call me back later after you’ve talked to your boss. Ideally, you can catch an early flight tomorrow because I really want to introduce you to the executives here at the label and show you around.”
“Uh…is this for real?”
“Elodie, this is a good thing,” she says quickly. “You have a future in music, my dear. And I’m going to help make you a star.”
***
“Holy shit!” Lennon shouts through the phone when I call her back. When I got off the call with Sandra, I had to sit on the couch for a moment to process what happened. Then Remy got fussy so I fed her, changed her, and put her down for her afternoon nap. But now that the call has sunk in, I knew I had to process this turn of events with my best friend.
“Yeah. Say that about a dozen more times and you’ll be where I’m at.”
“You have to go, Elodie. This is huge! A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!”
“I know, Lennon,” I say as I pace the living room, glancing at the clock and realizing that Henley won’t be home for a few more hours, so I still have time to gather my thoughts and decide what I’m going to say to him. “But I feel bad just springing this on Henley.”
“Girl, he’s a grown man. He can find someone else to watch his kid while you go to L.A. for a few days and possibly get everything you’ve ever wanted.”
“But what if what I wanted has changed?” It’s the one question I am still scared to admit the answer to.
“Are you—what are you saying, Elodie?”
Sighing, I sit down on the couch and stare across the living room. “I—I don’t know. This is all happening so fast, and I—” I take in a deep breath. “We’re supposed to go on a date tomorrow.”
“You can’t seriously be considering giving up this opportunity for a man?” Lennon snaps. “Girl, I love you, but this is it. This is your chance. If you don’t go and at least hear what they have to say, you’re going to regret it for the rest of your life.”
“You’re right. I know you’re right. I just…”
“Figure out how to get out there. If Henley truly cares about you, he’ll let you go.”
That’s exactly what I’m afraid of.
***
“Mmmm.” Henley’s lips meet the juncture between my neck and shoulders as I stand at the stove, stirring the beef stew I made for dinner. “I missed you today,” he whispers in my ear, nibbling at my lobe.
“I missed you too.” I can feel my voice already starting to crack, so I clear my throat. “How was work?”
He releases me from his hold and moves to the fridge, reaching for a soda. “Busy. I had a lot to catch up on from last week, but people weretalking about your performance all day, and I got roped into several conversations about it.”
I turn the stove burner off and twist to face him. “Really?”
“Yeah. You made quite the impression on our little town.”
My heart is hammering wildly. Is this the time to bring up my phone call today? “Well, uh…”
