Chapter 83

"May I have this dance?" a voice asked behind me, breaking my reverie.
When I looked around, Curt was holding out his hand, raising an eyebrow expectantly.
I let out a deep breath. "Well "
He laughed, making the cleft in his chin more prominent. "Well, don't sound so excited," he teased.
I smiled as I looked down at his hand and then back up into his eyes. "Sorry. I'm here on business with a client and my mind was a million miles away." I looked back at Casey, feeling very protective of her.
"She's doing well," he said as he held out his hand again. "Just one dance? I'm sure she'll be okay without you for a few minutes."
I smiled as I looked into his blue eyes. "Okay, but only one."
He smiled, clearly amused. "Okay. I'm going to hold you to it."
I laughed and then took his hand. "Okay. You twisted my arm."
A victorious smile spread across his lips, tugging at my heart, reminding me so much of Logan, even though they really didn't look much alike. His hair was wavy and light brown, and he had blue eyes, like Logan. But it was his cocky, sure-of-himself demeanor that really reminded me of him. Muscles played under his suit coat as he led me onto the dance floor and turned around. He pulled me into his arms and curled my hand to his chest as he began to sway back and forth
and I followed.
"So, what do you do?" he asked, looking down at me with interest.
I blushed as I lowered my eyes and then back up. "I'm a contract lawyer in Nashville, and I represent musicians."
He nodded. "How did you get into that business?"
I let out a deep breath, wondering how much to tell him. "Well, I started out as a musician. After an accident, I toured a bit more, but then decided to go to law school." I sighed as I looked away, and then looked back into his eyes. "After I graduated, Frank Mallory and Craig Savage, agents in Nashville, helped me get started."
He nodded, listening intently, as a crease suddenly formed between his eyes. "Not to pry, but why did you leave the music business?"
I bit my lower lip, wondering how much to tell him. "I lost someone very close to me and the music didn't seem to mean anything anymore." I forced a smile. "But it seems that I'm finally finding myself again."
He smiled. "Well, I'm glad to hear it."
The music came to a stop and we both turned and clapped. No one left the dance floor, so Casey played another slow ballad.
"Will you dance another with me?" Curt asked.
I laughed. "I thought it was going to be just one."
He grinned, showing a dimple on his cheek. "I lied."
I laughed as I stood there for a minute, contemplating. Then, I raised my arms. "Just one more."
He laughed. "Sounds good." He pulled me into his strong arms and to his chest. Electricity passed through me as he led me around the dance floor. Without thinking about it, I laid my head against his chest and closed my eyes as he leaned his head against mine. For the first time since I'd lost Logan, I felt safe, protected and maybe a bit too comfortable.
Just as the song came to an end, it felt as if eyes were watching me. I looked over Curt's shoulder and someone who looked like Logan was watching me from across the room, bringing me back to reality.
"Oh my God!" I said as I backed quickly away from Curt. "I'm sorry, but I can't do this!"
A crease formed between Curt's eyes. "What? Dance?"
I bit my lower lip. "I'm sorry, but I have to go." I started backing away toward the stage. "It was nice to meet you."
"May I have your number?" he asked, holding out his hand as he watched me hurry away.
Casey was still going strong on the stage and the crowd was in the palm of her hands.
I bit my lower lip and turned to one of the four bodyguards standing in the wings as tears welled up in my eyes. "I hate to do this, but can you make sure that Casey gets back to our hotel safely? Something came up and I have to go."
"Sure," the leader said. "No problem at all! And don't you worry; we'll make sure that she gets back safely."
"Thank you," I said as I pulled my clutch bag under my arm. "Please apologize to her for me and tell her that I'll see her back at the hotel."
He nodded. "I will." He took a step closer and looked into my eyes. "Is everything okay, miss?"
I nodded, suddenly feeling the need to escape, to run. "Yes, I'm fine, but I must go."
Without another word, I hurried down the steps and out the side emergency door, trying to wrap my head around what had just happened as tears streamed down my cheeks. It couldn't have been Logan, could it? This guy was a dead ringer for him, but a little older, more attractive-if that was possible-mature. My heels clicked against the sidewalk when I realized that there was another set of footsteps behind me.
"Alyssa, wait!"
When I turned around, Curt was rushing toward me. "What's wrong? Why are you leaving?"
I stopped short, gathering my thoughts as I quickly swiped a hand over my cheeks. "I just have to go."
"If I did something to make you feel uncomfortable "
I rushed down the sidewalk toward the front of the building. "No. It wasn't you "
"Alyssa, wait!" he said, quickly catching up. "At least let me walk you to a taxi. In fact, I could have my driver "
"No, no " I said, rushing around the building. "I'll take a cab."
"Nonsense," Curt said as he raised his arm. A moment later, a limo pulled up, appearing out of nowhere. "Look: we don't have to talk on the way, but I can't let you leave this way. At least let me take you home."
I let out a deep breath as I raised a hand to my forehead, trying to think. "Look: you're a nice guy "
"I know. Now get in and I'll take you home," Curt insisted. "I promise to be on my best behavior, and I'm a good listener."
I bit my lip, holding back tears as I found myself nodding in agreement. It felt nice to have someone concerned about me and wanting to take care of me for a change. "Okay."
He quickly opened the door, concerned as he waited for me to slide into the back, and then he slid in behind me. "Where to?" he whispered, as if speaking to a frightened child.
"The Plaza," I managed to choke out, unable to hold back the tears.
He pulled me to his chest and held me while I cried, not seeming to mind as my tears stained his linen shirt. But, true to his word, he said nothing and didn't try to make a move on me. He just held me while I cried. After a while, I finally pulled back and he handed me a silk handkerchief. I dabbed at my eyes, and he backed away and sat back, giving me space. "In the accident you told me about," he began in a soft voice, "you lost someone you loved, didn't you?"
I nodded, biting my upper lip, unable to speak as a fresh wave of tears threatened to spill over again.
"Shush," he said as he pulled me to his chest again and held me, rubbing my back in a soothing motion. "You don't have to speak. I understand."
I nodded, appreciating the gesture. A fresh wave of tears streamed down my cheek as I thought of seeing Logan. But there was no way that it could have been him, could it? I shook my head to try to clear the image of Logan. Was I finally going crazy? After all these years, when I finally started to live again, I imagine seeing him? Or maybe it was a ghost. But he seemed so real!
So many questions ran through my mind as Curt and I rode in silence until, finally, his limo pulled up in front of The Plaza.
"Wait here," Curt instructed the driver, and he slid out of the car before I could object. A moment later, he waved off the valet, opened my door, and extended his hand.
I took it and let him help me out of the car. "Really, I'm fine. But thank you for seeing me safely back to my hotel."
"How long will you be here?" he asked, his eyes hopeful.
I shook my head. "I'm not sure. Well, it was nice to meet you, but this is goodbye."
I turned to walk away, but he caught my hand. "It doesn't have to be."
I forced a smile as tears formed in my eyes again. "Yes. It does. Again, thank you." I rushed into the hotel, and he didn't make an attempt to follow.