Chapter 76
I looked at the time and grabbed my purse and coat. It was November in Nashville and getting quite cold. After glancing around my office to make sure everything was in place, I turned out the light and hurried to the reception area where Mrs. Farrow was already gathering her things.
"Don't stay too late," I called to her as I walked past.
"Don't worry. I won't," she said as she slipped into her coat. "Jim and I are going out tonight."
I smiled. Jim was her husband. After thirty years of marriage and many children and grandchildren later, they were still in love. They made a cute couple. "Tell him I said hello." I set my purse down on a nearby chair and slipped into my coat. "Going dancing?"
She laughed as she prepared her things. "Heavens no! Just a quiet dinner. If we tried to go dancing, Jim would probably throw out his hip." I laughed as she leaned in conspiratorially. "But don't tell him I said that."
I laughed. "Don't worry. Your secret is safe with me." I picked up my purse and slung it over my shoulder as I headed toward the door. "Have fun!"
"You, too," she said. "By the way, Mr. Mallory said for you to meet him at the Powder Keg Tavern."
I smiled as memories of first meeting Frank Mallory and Tasha Granger flooded into my mind. "Of course. He always wants to meet there. Thanks, Mrs. Farrow. I'll see you tomorrow."
A sly smile lit her lips. "Have fun," she said seductively.
I laughed. "Frank's married. We're just meeting to discuss a new client that he wants to sign."
She sighed. "I'll find someone for you one of these days. You need to go out more. Date!"
I smiled as I shook my head in disbelief. "Goodnight, Mrs. Farrow." Mrs. Farrow was like a mother to me, and was one of the best secretaries in Nashville.
She waved goodbye as I headed out the door. The brisk wind blew through my coat as I hurried outside to my Mercedes. I had traded in my Volkswagen Bug after college, opting for something a bit more gown up. After I started working as a lawyer and needed to make a good impression on clients, I got the Mercedes. But honestly? I still missed my Bug.
Neon lights and white streetlamps shone brightly, illuminating the businesses as I drove past. A short while later, I pulled into the parking lot of the Powder Keg Tavern and hurried inside.
"Good evening, Ms. Collins," the hostess said. "Right this way."
"Has Mr. Mallory arrived yet?" I asked as she ushered me inside.
"He's already waiting."
"Not long, I hope?"
She shook her head. "He just arrived," she said as we hurried past tables.
"Good," I said as we entered a private room. Straight ahead was Frank. He had grayed a bit at the temples over the years, but it only made him look distinguished. Men were lucky that way, aging gracefully, while women had to fight it tooth and nail.
"Ms. Collins," Frank said as he rose to his feet and held a chair for me. "It's so good to see you again."
"Come now, Frank," I said as I sat down and he slid it under me. "We've known each other far too long for formalities. Call me Alyssa."
He nodded. "But only if you call me Frank." He reached over and took my hand, then gave it a gentle squeeze. "How have you been?"
"I've been doing well," I said, forcing a smile.
He shook his head as he took a sip of his water. "I just wish that you hadn't quit music when you did. You were already a star when you quit. By now, you would have been a superstar."
I smiled, not wanting to think of those days. After Logan died, I went back to Nashville and Craig sent me on one more tour, telling me that it would be good for me to get back to work. But it wasn't the same, somehow. Without Logan, there was no music. Part of me had died along with him and so did the music. After I finished the tour, I got out of music and went to college. I needed to find a way to try to go on with my life somehow. But although I left the music industry, I kept in touch with Craig and Frank. And it was a good thing. After I finished law school, they began sending me all of their contracts to finalize. Now, because of their referrals and generous praise to potential clients, I am now responsible for finalizing half of the contracts in Nashville.
"It's very kind of you to say, Frank," I said as I adjusted the napkin on my lap.
"Well, it's true," he said, and then folded his hands on top of the table. "In fact, you're still young yet twenty-eight, right? If you ever decide to get back into the business, just let me know. I'd be glad to represent you."
I smiled. "Thanks, but I think Craig would shoot us both."
"Craig?" Frank scoffed. "I can handle him."
Suddenly, the waitress walked up. "What can I get for you?"
"Seven and Seven for me," Frank said as he shook out his napkin and placed it on his lap.
"Chardonnay, please," I said, grateful that the waitress had saved me.
"Oh! And we'd like some cheese fondue and some wings, too, please," Frank said as he looked at the menu. He ate like a horse, but never gained an ounce. He still had the same muscular physic that he had years before.
A broad smile spread across the waitress's face. "You got it, sugar!"
I laughed. "Hungry, are we?" I asked after she walked away.
"Hey; I haven't even started yet."
A minute later, the waitress came back with our drinks and the appetizers. "What can I get you for dinner?"
"Burger and fries," Frank said as he took a wing off the plate and bit into it. "Hot!" he said as he fanned his mouth and grabbed for his water.
"Be careful, hon! It's hot!" the waitress said, stating the obvious.
I suppressed a grin. "I'll have a Mushroom Swiss burger with lettuce and mayonnaise."
She grinned. "You got it, honey! Be right back with that."
In a flash, she was gone. I sat back and enjoyed my wine as I watched Frank devour the appetizers.
He looked up at me and smiled. "Help yourself, Allie."
