“Hi. Listen, I tried. All the A-listers are booked every weekend for the next month. Even asking for favors didn’t work. Now I can get you Lola,” he says of Lola Corbin.
Now Lola Grissom, married to Rep Grissom Jr., a Major League Baseball player, she is the former lead singer of Tangled Royal when Grey’s band was together.
“But I have bad news,” Grey says.
A tingle races up my spine and I almost guess the information, but I let Grey tell me anyway. “She’s been working with Charlotte Jasper, who was with her when I asked… and they both want to do the gig.”
“Motherfucker.” But I can’t deny the fact that both Lola and Charlotte together will put Club TEN29 on the map when it comes to live acts. It will prove our cachet, and other stars will be willing to sign on to sing here. I let out another groan. “I’ll get my attorney to send them a contract, and we’ll negotiate from there.”
“Sorry, man.”
“No, I should be thanking you. No worries. How’s Avery?” I ask.
“In the fucking bathroom puking. I don’t know how women do it or why they call itmorningsickness,” Grey says, his admiration and worry for his wife obvious.
“Give her my love. I’m going to make the arrangements.” I disconnect and immediately text my partners the news.
I then call my attorney and after that I call Gabe. Stars like Lola and Charlotte together are going to cost a mint, and we’ll need a loan until we are earning back what we pay on the talent.
Finally, I head down to the darkness that is my bar. A place I always loved, but now I can’t wait to get home.
***
Faith
“Are you surethis is a good idea?” I asked Savannah Dare, who is eyeing the dresses she had delivered from a personal shopper at Neiman Marcus.
“I think it’s the best idea I’ve had in a long time. We’re going to visit my son at his nightclub. We’re going to have a few drinks, have a night out, and enjoy.” Savannah picks up an emerald-colored garment lying on the bed. “This one is for you. I had three sent over, but the green matches your eyes.”
I lift the beautiful garment and drape it over my arm.
“Don’t forget the shoes.” Savannah points to a pair of silver strap sandals. “Those are your size.”
Wondering how I allowed the woman to talk me into this, I head for Jason’s bathroom, where I moved my makeup. Thirty minutes later, Savannah and I meet up in the family room, dressed to kill. Or be killed, when Jason lays eyes on us outside of the apartment, I think.
“He’s going to be so mad,” I mutter as Savannah, wearing a silver dress, opens the door to the apartment.
“That big bodyguard will be with us. He’ll get over it. I haven’t had a night out to just enjoy myself in God knows how long. I’m going. Are you with me?” Jason’s mother asks.
I pick up the small purse Savannah also had delivered. “Let’s go.” I hadn’t had any time out in over a year. If anyone is overdue, I am. Jason is obviously working out his own issues, but that doesn’t mean I can’t let loose for once.
And Savannah is right. We have a bodyguard. Let Jason be angry. He’s the one who hired the man, so he must trust him, I think, as the apartment door slams closed behind us with a final thud.
***
Jason
With a seltzerover ice in hand, I make the rounds of theimportantpeople, those who pay a hefty sum to get into the nightclub and be guaranteed a private table and server. As the manager, it’s my job to ensure everyone’s happiness at my establishment, and Tanner and Landon have been handling things in my absence.
It feels good to be back in the swing of things and pick up my routine. Apparently, my partners feel the same, because from the other side of the room, Tanner raises a glass to me, and I do the same.
The other man strides across the room and comes up to where I stand on the raised balcony area, where I came for a break. “Welcome back, buddy. Good to have you here.”
“Thanks. Good to be here.” I slide my gaze toward the front entrance just in time to see two women walk into the room. Women I’d recognize in my sleep.
Mymother,in a silver sequined dress and matching heels, her blonde hair curling around her face in the style she prefers, looks around, taking in her surroundings. She was here for the grand opening and so she already has her bearings.
The second woman doesn’t have the same air of confidence, but with her rocking body, she doesn’t need to. The emerald-green dress hugs her curves, the dip in the front revealing cleavage I feel extremely possessive over, and the way it drapes her hips and ends above her knees is fucking sexy.
