Chapter 77
Pain gripped my heart at the nickname that Logan had given me. It still hurt after all these years. "No. Thanks," I said as I took another sip of my wine and forced a smile. "I'm having too much fun watching you."
"Nonsense! This isn't a side show!" He pushed a plate in front of me. "Here; help yourself." Anticipating my answer, he added, "And this time, I'm not taking no for an answer."
Knowing he wouldn't let up until I indulged, I picked up a wing and the strong scent of hot sauce wafted toward me. I took a bite, and it was delicious. I devoured it in a hurry.
Frank smiled. "Hungry, are we?" he teased, using my own words against me.
I laughed. "I guess I was hungrier than I thought." I placed a square of bread on a skewer, dipped it into the cheese fondue, and took a bite. "So, why did you ask me here?"
"New client," he said between bites, clearly enjoying himself.
I nodded. "Who?" Once I started eating, I couldn't stop. The food was exquisite.
Frank took a deep breath and sat back, studying my eyes as he leaned both elbows against the edge of the table. "A girl."
I smirked. "What's her name?"
"Casey Rogers." He studied my eyes, not touching his food, as if gauging my reaction.
I smiled as I pushed the plate of wings toward him. "Come on, Frank. You ordered all this food. Now help me eat it."
I quickly caught on that there was something more that he wasn't telling me. "Okay. What's going on?" I asked as I threw my napkin on the table and leaned back.
He let out a deep breath and bit his lower lip.
"Come on. Spit it out," I said, almost afraid of what he was going to say next. "It can't be all that bad."
"Okay," he said as he leaned forward. "Alyssa, I need for you to go to New York to listen to her."
"No way," I picked up my napkin and dabbed at the corners of my mouth, and then pushed my chair back to leave.
"Alyssa, don't " Frank said as he caught my hand.
I quickly pulled away and looked him square in the eye. "Frank, you know I haven't been back to New York since the accident. How could you?"
He held onto my hand, preventing me from leaving as he looked at me with kind eyes. "Alyssa, you need closure "
"Closure?" I asked a bit too loudly. "Is that what you call it? Closure?"
Frank let out an exasperated breath. "Alyssa, you were in a coma when they had the funeral and it was in New York." He shrugged as he looked into my eyes. "Maybe you can go see the gravesite, or visit his parents "
"No way!" I quickly rose to my feet. Other patrons in the restaurant started to stare, but I didn't care. "After the she treated me, I wouldn't give her the time of day."
"I know, Alyssa." Frank took a deep breath as he threw his napkin onto the table and then looked into my eyes. "I wouldn't ask you to go if it wasn't important," he cooed, trying to soothe me.
I hesitantly sat back down. I figured I owed him at least that much. After all, he was there for me after Logan died. I was a complete mess when I came back to Nashville. And then when I tried to tour, I couldn't think of anything but Logan. After I quit the tour, I wasn't quite sure what to do and Frank was the one who talked me into going to Law school to become a contract lawyer. Although Craig didn't want me to leave music, he reluctantly agreed. That was when things finally started to look up for me. But it has been difficult, nevertheless, trying to put the past behind me.
"Okay. Shoot." I folded my hands expectantly on the table, leaving my burger and the rest of the food untouched.
Frank smiled. "Well, Casey is playing a political gig in New York with some senators and congressmen. As you know, the elections are coming up next year and they like to throw parties to impress their constituents and peers." Frank took a long swig of his drink.
I skewed another piece of bread and dipped it into the fondue. "Is she from New York? Do you want me to meet her there?"
Frank shook his head. "I was wondering if you wouldn't mind escorting her and give her some pointers, musician to musician."
"Frank, it's been a long time "
"I know," he continued. "Look. You won't be performing. Just giving her a few pointers, is all. Also, I need your professional opinion as to whether or not to sign her long term."
I nodded. "Why me?"
He shrugged. "Well, she wouldn't feel comfortable traveling with men since she's so young, so I thought maybe you could take her under your wing." His eyes were hopeful.
I smiled, relaxing a bit. "Why the political venue, and why New York? I'm sure there are plenty of places here in Nashville where she could perform."
He let out a deep breath. "I got a call from some New York senators and congressmen, and they asked if I could provide entertainment." He shrugged. "I thought of it as a win-win situation. I could see how she performs under pressure and provide entertainment at the same time. Besides, she's already performed at a few clubs here and did great. But I need to see how she does in a bigger venue, and I trust your professional judgment. If you say I should sign her, then write the contract. If not, I'll let her down gently when she comes back, or I'll set her up with a voice coach, depending upon what you say."
I smiled as I ate a bit of cheese-soaked bread off the skewer. "You have a lot of faith in me."
He laughed as he took a sip of his beer. "You have no idea."
