Chapter 85

Rays of golden sunshine kissed my cheek as I slept, and then moved to my eyes, alerting me to the beginning of a new day. Suddenly, the events of the night before rushed into my mind. But the more I thought of it, the more I convinced myself that it couldn't have been Logan.
"I have to get out of here," I said aloud as I lifted my suitcase from the floor and threw it onto the bed. Then, I began packing, hoping that everything that Casey and I bought fit into our suitcases without having to buy another.
I decided to go back home early. After all, the gig was over and there was nothing holding us in New York. I suddenly found myself eager to escape, needing time to think; to try and make sense of it all. There was no way that I was going to stay in New York one more day.
I took a quick shower, slipped into the fluffy white hotel robe, and then went back into my bedroom to dress. I threw on one of the new outfits I had bought-a pair of black leather pants and a purple silk shirt. It was November and cold in New York. I slid into my boots and laid the matching black leather jacket across the chair until I was ready to go.
Casey was sitting at the glass kitchenette drinking coffee, wearing a cute pajama set, when I walked out. She looked at me, concerned. "Are you okay?"
I nodded. "Yes. I'm fine," I said as I poured myself a cup of coffee and sat down next to her. "Listen, Casey. I appreciate your concern and I know you mean well, but I really don't want to talk about it."
Casey nodded.
"Also, I'm sorry that I left you at the party last night," I continued, "but I spoke with the bodyguards before I left to make sure that they brought you home safely."
She forced a smile and nodded. "Thank you. I appreciate it." She laughed. "A few people invited me to a private after party last night, but the bodyguards insisted that they bring me back to the hotel. I mean, they really insisted." She laughed, shaking her head.
I couldn't help but smile. "Good!"
Out of the blue, there was a knock on the door. "That's probably the limo service."
Casey suddenly looked alarmed. "Limo service?"
"We're going home today," I said as I crossed the room to the door and opened it. "Curt!" I said, my voice raising an octave. "What a surprise! What are you doing here?"
He forced a smile, bringing out the dimple in his cheek. "Well, I was in the neighborhood "
I lifted an eyebrow. "How did you know which room I was in?"
He let out an exaggerated breath. "Okay. Time to come clean. I cheated."
I tried to keep from smiling, but the boyish look on his face made it difficult. "Oh? How so?"
"Well, after I brought you here last night, I bribed the desk clerk to tell me your room number."
I laughed. "You're impossible."
He chuckled. "And to think, you just met me."
I pursed my lips, trying to keep from smiling. "Scary thought."
He laughed. "Well, I came by to check on you this morning after last night."
I nodded, sobering. "I'm fine. Thank you for bringing me home last night and for being so kind."
He smiled as a sheepish gleam appeared in his eyes. "Well, I have to admit that I have an ulterior motive for coming over."
I started to shut the door. "We're going home today and "
"Please," he said, blocking the door with his foot. "Hear me out."
I bit my lower lip. "We just met last night, and I can't get involved." I looked over my shoulder, and Casey was blowing over her coffee-which was now far from hot-pretending not to listen. I lowered my voice. "I can't talk right now, but now's not a good time in my life for a relationship."
He nodded. "Understood. But what you don't know about me is that I'm an investor. I'd like to discuss possibly investing in your company."
"I'm a lawyer."
"Who promotes talent," he finished. "All I'm asking for is a moment of your time." He looked up at Casey, and she quickly turned away. He let out a deep breath and then turned back to me. "Would you walk with me?"
"What?" I asked, confused.
"Would you go for a walk with me?" Curt repeated, and then quickly amended, "You know, to discuss business." He smirked. "Surely you don't have an aversion to discussing business proposals. You are a lawyer, after all."
I bit my lower lip, suppressing a smile. "Using my own words against me?"
He shrugged, unapologetic. "Hey. If it works."
"You're impossible."
"So you've said."
"I'll miss my flight."
"I'll instruct my pilot to take you anywhere you want to go."
"You don't take no for an answer, do you?"
A self-satisfied grin spread across his face. "Never."
I looked over at Casey. Her eyebrows were raised as she nodded, urging me on.
I let out a deep breath. "Okay."
A self-satisfied smile spread across his face.
I smiled as I turned to Casey. "Would you mind leaving tomorrow morning instead of today?"
Casey grinned. "No. Not at all. In fact, I can go shopping "
I laughed. "I think we bought enough yesterday on Frank's card."
Curt pulled his wallet from his back pocket and began pulling out bills, laying them on the table. "Then, the shopping trip is on me this time."
Casey squealed in delight as she clapped her hands, bouncing up and down on her chair. "Yes!"
"No!" I interrupted. "I couldn't possibly "
Curt turned around and looked into my eyes. "You can and you will."
"Excuse me?" Friend or not, generous or not, I didn't like being told what to do.
"I mean," he quickly amended, "with your permission, of course."
I shook my head. "I can't let you "
"Yes; you can." He shrugged. "Besides, I'm happy to do it. Think of it as an investment in her future. You wouldn't want to prevent me from investing in her future, now would you?"
I just stood there. After a long moment of silence, I replied, "Okay."
Casey squealed as she jumped up off the chair and rushed into her bedroom to change clothes.
"Casey, I want you to stay with the bodyguards. Understand?"
"Yes, Mom," she said as she walked back into the room, wearing jeans and a dress shirt as she slipped on her black boots. Then, she scooped up the bills Curt gave her lying on the table and shoved them into her pocket.
I laughed. "I'm serious! After last night, you're an up-and-coming star now and you have to think like one. And stars don't go out without a chaperone."
She suppressed a grin. "Yes, Mom."
I quickly grabbed my jacket. "And stop calling me mom!" I opened the door farther as she laughed. "I'll be back in a while, and remember what I said."
She laughed as she waved goodbye. "Have fun!" she said seductively.
Curt suppressed a laugh behind me as I let out an exasperated breath and shut the door.