Chapter 78

I grinned as my eyebrows pulled together, confused. "What's that supposed to mean?"
He shrugged as he dug into another chicken wing. "I trust your judgment."
I took a bite of my burger, resisting the urge to moan. They had the best burgers in Nashville. "And you think that she's good enough to handle a venue of that magnitude?"
He smiled. "Actually, it's a private party in the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center. It's not a huge venue, but an important one."
I nodded, understanding. "Is she that good?"
He shrugged. "Well, I wouldn't be asking you to do this if she wasn't." Frank let out a deep breath as he wiped his hands on his napkin. "Actually, she's a great musician, too. Reminds me a lot of you at her age. I just need to know if she can handle the big time."
I nodded as memories of when I first started out flooded into my mind. "Before I met Tasha, I hadn't played in big venues either, and it worked out well."
He smiled as he patted my hand. "Honey, you're unique; you were born a musician. In fact, if your mother told me that you were playing the guitar in your crib, it wouldn't surprise me."
I laughed at the image. "No. I waited until I could walk."
He raised an eyebrow. "Oh? Is that right?" he teased as we both laughed.
"Okay. I'll do it," I said nonchalantly as I took a bite of a chicken wing.
"You'll go with her to New York?" Frank's eyes danced.
The expression on his face looked so innocent that I had to laugh. "Yes. Of course. I'd do anything for you. You know that."
Frank laughed. "Shush! Just don't tell my wife," he teased.
I gave him a light smack on the arm. "Yeah, right! How is Roxanne, anyway?"
Roxanne had been a singer and model back in the day, but retired a few years after she married Frank, with no regrets. Now they had three beautiful children to show for it. But despite having had children, she was still a knockout.
"Oh, you know, mean as ever," Frank teased as he gave me a wink.
I laughed. "I'm going to tell her you said that."
"Good! Tell her this Sunday after you get back," Frank said between bites of another chicken wing. "We're having a barbeque."
I shook my head. "No. I'm sure I'll be jetlagged." I leaned back against my chair, unable to eat another bite.
A mischievous gleam appeared in his eyes. "Craig will be there."
I scoffed. "Oh. Now I'm definitely not going."
Frank lifted an eyebrow. "Why? What happened between you two?"
I let out a deep breath as I looked away, and then looked back. "Let's just say that I'd rather keep it professional between Craig and me."
Concern suddenly filled Frank's eyes. "Allie, it's been ten years. You can date "
I laughed without humor. "Now you sound like Alanna."
Frank smiled. "Well, she's right." Frank took my hand again. After all these years, Frank had been a great father figure to me and a good friend. I loved his wife and had visited their home upon more than one occasion. Roxanne was a sweetheart, having listened to me talk about Logan over the years. And when I needed a child fix, I went over to their house and played with their kids, who were smart and very musical. I had offered to give them music lessons when they were old enough. Frank and his family had, in essence, become my family, too. "Don't close yourself off from love. If you find someone special, don't deny yourself the opportunity to love again. Logan wouldn't fault you for it."
I nodded, forcing a smile as I gave his hand a pat. "I appreciate that, Frank. I really do, but I'm happy the way I am."
He looked into my eyes and scoffed. "Yeah, right. Tell me another."
And he was right. Although I had everything that I could want, something was still missing from my life. Logan. But he could never be replaced, and he was never coming back. I had come to terms with it long ago.
Frank gave my hand a gentle squeeze, bringing me back to reality.
"Thanks for dinner, Frank." I dabbed at the corners of my mouth and laid the napkin beside my plate. "You want me to get the check this time?"
He laughed so hard that tears came to his eyes. "Alyssa, you will never pay for a meal as long as you're around me."
I smiled as I patted his hand. "Thanks, Frank. You're the best."
He smirked. "That's what I keep telling Roxanne, but she doesn't believe me."
I laughed. "Okay. Too much info," I said as I picked up my purse and set it on my lap. "When do Casey and I leave for New York?"
His demeanor suddenly became serious. "In the morning."
I raised my eyebrows. "Wow! Not much time."
Frank shrugged. "Would you like me to talk to your boss?"
I laughed. "I am the boss!"
Frank laughed. "I'll tell Alanna you said that."
I laughed. After completing law school, Alanna and I had opened our law firm together. On this day, she had left earlier to meet with a client and had beaten me home. It was a regular occurrence, but I didn't mind. Alanna brought in just as much money and clients to the firm as I did. Sometimes, even more.
"When's the party?"
"It's not until Saturday night, but I thought you might like to get there early and do some shopping." Frank slid a credit card across the table to me. "Get yourself something nice for the party; something sophisticated."
I smiled as I pushed it back. "I have plenty of dresses I can wear."
He pushed it back. "Take it for your expenses. Also, make sure Casey is dressed appropriately, too. It's a formal party. I want her to make a good impression." He shrugged. "Also, take her to do all those girlie things that you ladies do."
I smiled, enjoying his discomfort a bit too much. "Girlie things?"
He waved his hands uncomfortably in front of him. "You know the plucking, waxing, polishing, cutting, mani pedi, and "
"Okay, okay! I get the picture!" I said as I picked up the card. "Thanks, Frank. I'll call you when I get back."
"Call me after the party and let me know how it went."
"It depends upon how late we get in."
"Now, that's my girl!" he said with a smile as he patted my arm. "I want you to relax and have a good time."
I let out an exaggerated breath. "I'll try."
He laughed, and the conversation suddenly turned to his family, the kids, and much more lighthearted things. And while we were talking, I wondered what it was going to be like in New York without Logan.