Chapter 136

After quickly unpacking my briefcase with the client files I had taken home, I stowed it under my desk and walked into the reception room. Craig was sitting on one of the club chairs, waiting, but stood as I approached.
"Craig," I said, giving him a quick air kiss over his cheek, careful not to smudge my lipstick. "What brings you in town?"
"Can we talk for a minute?" he asked, his eyes hopeful.
My heart sank with dread as I sensed what this was going to be about. "Sure. Let's go into my office, shall we?" I said as I gestured the way.
He held out his arm for me to go first. I dreaded being alone with him, but, then again, he might just be there for some contracts.
"Would you like me to prepare some new contracts for you?" I asked as I sat behind my desk.
He shook his head. "Alyssa, would you mind if we go downstairs for some coffee?"
"I can have Lynn make us some," I said, rising from my seat.
He quickly stood, stopping me from opening the door. "No. I need to speak with you, and I thought we could go out, is all."
I folded my arms across my chest. "What's going on, Craig?"
He wrapped his arms around me. "I've missed you, Alyssa. Nashville's not the same without you."
I pulled out of his grasp and took a step back. "Craig, we've been friends for a long time, but that's all we can ever be just friends."
He took a step closer. "Alyssa, I'd like to be more. Please, give me a chance."
I shook my head. "Craig, you were my manager and that's it. I also consider you a friend, but it can never be more than that," I repeated.
He made a move for me and encircled me in his arms before I could get out of his way. Then, I saw the resolve in his eyes as his lips descended upon mine. Without thinking, I pulled back and let my hand fly, landing on the side of his face, leaving a slight red mark on his cheek, but he appeared to be unfazed.
"Craig, get out!" I yelled as I yanked open the door. "And as far as business goes, I am grateful for your help when I was singing. But if you need any more contracts written, I suggest you contact my partner, Alanna. Or have you forgotten that she lives in Nashville?"
He took a step back, hurt. I knew that I hadn't hurt him physically, but I had wounded him emotionally. "I'm sorry " he stammered. "I just thought "
I took a step closer, my eyes flaring. "Just tell me one thing. Years ago when Bryant Hall kissed me, did you pay him to do that?"
Craig scoffed, his eyes widening in disbelief. "What the hell are you talking about?"
"I saw you pay him, Craig!" I yelled. I looked out, and Lynn's eyes were wide, so I shut the door and lowered my voice. "You wouldn't have paid him for the gig as he walked off stage. So, I'm going to ask you again. Did you pay him to kiss me, knowing that Logan was there?"
He let out an exasperated breath. "Alyssa, you don't understand. I was in love with you, even then."
"In love with me?!" I yelled, unable to believe what I was hearing. "That's not love! Setting up the person that you supposedly care about isn't love at all! And what about Logan? You knew he was alive all these years and you didn't tell me! That's not love at all! Now get out! I appreciate everything you've done for me in business, but I never want to see you again."
"Alyssa, don't do this "
I held the door open. "If you have any contracts to write, either contact Alanna or find someone else entirely. But I never want to see you again!"
He nodded, finally understanding. "Alyssa, I'm sorry it's come down to this."
I bit my lower lip. "So am I."
He walked out without another word, and I sat down at my desk and buried my head in my hands and let the tears fall. It had been too long and too many things had happened. But I felt relieved at the same time. I was tired of Craig's underhanded business dealings, and now, I just felt relieved.
After a minute, I wiped the tears from my eyes and then buzzed Lynn on the intercom, determined to get some semblance of work done.
"Yes, Ms. Collins?" Lynn asked over the intercom.
"What do I have on the books today?"
"Well, you have Vince Carlton this morning, and then Frank Mallory this afternoon."
"Frank's coming today?" I asked in disbelief. What were the chances of both Craig and Frank coming to see me on the same day?
"Yes, ma'am," Lynn said, bringing me back from my reverie.
"What else do I have?"
Lynn told me that I had a few more clients that morning, Frank at lunchtime, and then a few more new consulting clients that afternoon, probably courtesy of Curt. It was nice to see that he was still sending me clients and wasn't holding a grudge.
After I got off the intercom with Lynn, I dialed Frank.
"Hey, girl!" he answered on the first ring, seeing that it was me. "I'm coming to see you today!"
I smiled. It was great to hear his voice. "Yeah, I see that! Will you be here in time for lunch? My treat."
Frank laughed. "Lunch? Yes! Your treat? Hell no! You know your money's no good around me
I laughed. "We'll discuss it when I see you. Want me to pick you up at the airport?"
"If you don't mind," Frank said. "It'll save me on a rental car and I'll get to spend more time with you."
"You know you don't pay for anything when you come to my turf," I teased. "When will you get here, and how long are you staying?"
"This is a quick trip, sugar," he said. "Logan contacted me about entertainment for some shindig he has coming up. And I'm meeting with him this afternoon. Then, I'm flying back tonight."
"Man! You should have brought Roxanne and the kids with you! All of you could have stayed with me and made a night of it!"
"Nah. Some other time," Frank said. "The kids don't travel well, and I can't pry Roxanne away from them overnight. Look, Alyssa. My flight's boarding. See you in a few hours!"
I smiled at the prospect of seeing him again. "Be safe."
"Always," he said, and then the phone went dead.
Wow! A 'shindig' with Logan? Well, that should be interesting.
The rest of the morning was uneventful. Vince Carlton, the agent I had met on the plane when I first moved to New York, came to discuss contracts and business consulting, true to his word. He was very professional and shook my hand as he left.
Before I knew it, it was time to pick up Frank from the airport. So, I grabbed my purse and headed out. "I'm going to get Frank," I said to Lynn. "But I'll be back in time for my afternoon appointments. We're having a working lunch. If you need me, call me on my cell."
"Yes, Ms. Collins," Lynn said as she waved goodbye over her shoulder. Then she turned her attention to the phone when it suddenly rang.
A few minutes later, I was in my Mercedes, headed toward the airport as thoughts of Logan filled my mind. Over the last week, it was as if we were falling into step where we had left off years ago. Except now, we were adults living in the adult world. I just hoped that it didn't come crashing down around me all over again.