Chapter 95

I walked back inside and shut the door behind me. I walked into the kitchen, but just about everything was already put away.
Roxanne saw me and smiled. "I hope that you were finished eating," she said. "But we left everything out for a while in case anyone gets hungry."
I shook my head. "I couldn't eat another bite, but it was so wonderful. Thank you."
She moved toward me and pulled me in for a hug. "I'm so glad you found someone special. I really like him."
I nodded as I pulled back, forcing a smile. "Thank you."
She studied me for a moment, and then said, "Okay. I know you well enough to know when something's bothering you." She pulled out two of the chairs that were pushed into the table. "Spill."
I smiled at her word choice. "Curt is a great man."
She searched my eyes. "But?"
I let out a deep breath and looked away.
"But he's not Logan."
When she said his name, pain gripped my heart. Tears suddenly welled up within my eyes. "I'm so sorry."
She let out a deep breath and then took my hand, forcing me to look at her. "Alyssa, you've waited a long time to find someone special. Have you dated at all since well since Logan?"
I shook my head, trying to swallow the lump that had formed in my throat.
"Then, enjoy it!" she said as she wiped a tear away from my eye. "It's okay to date! And just because you're dating someone doesn't mean that you're going to marry him. There is nothing wrong with dating, and Curt seems like a nice enough guy."
I let out a deep breath. "There's more."
"What?" she asked, her eyebrows pulling together in concern.
I shook my head. "You're going to think I'm crazy."
She smirked. "Try me."
I sat back and stared at her for a moment as she waited. "I think I saw Logan."
She leaned back, taking it in, her eyes wide.
"Hey!" Frank said as he walked into the room. "What's going on in here?"
Roxanne quickly sobered. "Sit down. Alyssa thinks she saw Logan."
"What?" Frank asked, shaking his head as he sat down in a chair sitting nearby. "Where?"
I let out a deep breath. "In New York. At the party." I shook my head. "I know it sounds crazy, but if it wasn't him, then the guy was a dead ringer for him. And then I saw a glimpse of him on the news after the party "
Frank placed his hand on top of mine. "Honey, I attended his funeral. I went there. He's dead, Alyssa."
I nodded. "I know," I said as I looked at him anxiously. "But Frank, if you saw this guy, he looked exactly like Logan! And it was at a political venue! His parents had always wanted him to go into politics. But if it was him, then why did he let me believe he was dead all this time?"
Frank had pity in his eyes as he looked at me. "Are you sure it was him?"
"Frank " Roxanne said, shaking her head.
I sat back hard against the back of my chair. "Great. Now you both think I'm crazy."
Roxanne covered my hand with hers, claiming my attention. "Not crazy, honey. Just stressed. Maybe you should take some time off go away."
I let out a deep breath. "That's another thing I wanted to speak with you about, Frank. Curt wants me to move my offices to New York."
"New York?" Frank asked a bit too loudly.
"He wants to invest in my company and set me up as a consultant. I can still write and finalize contracts, but I'd be doing it from New York." I let out a deep breath. "I thought about it, and if I do it, I could do it as a New York branch. I'd still do the same things I do here, but I'd be extending my business, opening it up to acts and agents in other genres as well as country."
Frank nodded. "Is that what you want to do?"
I shrugged. "I'm not sure. And if I do it, I'm not sure if I'm going to let Curt invest or if I'll do it on my own."
"Well, it's something you really need to think about," Frank said, giving my hand a gentle pat as he bit his lower lip. "I'll tell you what. As for Logan, I have some contacts in New York." He smiled. "I'll check it out."
Roxanne looked at him as if he had just grown four heads.
I jumped up and threw my arms around his neck. "Thanks, Frank! I won't forget this!"
He looked up at me, smiling. "Just make sure that you keep in touch-and keep our business-if and when you go to New York. You're the best contract lawyer in Nashville."
I gave him a big hug. "Thanks, Frank! I appreciate that!" Then, I pulled back. "But that's something that I'm going to have to think about."
He patted my arm as Roxanne smiled. "So, since you seem to be feeling better, would you mind playing us a song?" Frank asked.
I let out a deep breath as if someone had just punched me in the stomach. "I haven't played in years "
"But I know you've still got it," Frank interrupted. "Come on, for old time's sake?"
Roxanne rubbed my arm in encouragement.
"I didn't bring my guitar."
A broad smile spread across his face. "I just so happen to have one. In fact, I have many. Come on." Then, he bent down and gave his wife a peck on the side of her head. "Meet us in the living room?"
She nodded, and then pulled me in for a hug. "Don't worry, Alyssa. Everything will work out."
I pulled back and smiled. "Thanks, Roxanne. I appreciate that."
I followed Frank into the family room, and guitars of all shapes and sizes set in stands against the walls, both for decoration as well as for use.
"Wow," I said as I slowly stepped into the room. "This is incredible!"
Frank gestured around him. "Take your pick."
I settled on an older Epiphone. I picked it up and strummed a cord. It had a beautiful sound, and it was already tuned. "This one is great! I haven't seen an Epiphone in years!"
"Want to play it?"
I nodded.
Frank motioned with his head toward the door. "Bring it." Then, a sly smile spread across his face as he handed me a guitar pick. "Let's see if you still got it."
I smiled as I bit my lower lip. "Frank, thanks for believing me about Logan. I know it sounds crazy "
Frank shrugged. "Don't mention it. I'll let you know what I find out. But for now," he looked down at the guitar, "let's see what you can do with that."
I laughed as I followed him into the living room, carrying the old acoustic guitar. And for the first time in a very long time, I felt hope.