“I’ve got those VIP passes you wanted for Max and Rosa,” Rick announced the next day in the late afternoon, stepping into her office with a brown envelope in one hand.

She beamed up at him from her desk. Giving Wilkes the boot was probably the best thing she had done in a really long time. “Sweet. Thanks Rick. I didn’t know you were still here.”

“You’re not the only one burning the midnight oil.”

“It’s barely seven o’clock, Rick. Stop exaggerating.”

“It feels like midnight, especially now that you pissed off your ex-boyfriend and gave me the task of sorting out his termination agreement.”

“We both knew this was where things had to go if I wanted to get my life back, Rick. Did you see the stunt he pulled at the interview yesterday morning?”

“Sure, but it wasn’t as believable as what you two did at your front door. That kiss looked damn real, if you asked me.”

“Don’t you start. Anyhow, what have the lawyers said?”

“About Wilkes? Easy as pie. A few million will do it, along with throwing in an extra percent or two of royalties for this upcoming album. I always told you he was all about the greenbacks.”

“You did, and that settlement is more than reasonable. Hey, you think you can get somebody to send these tickets off for me? The way my schedule has been, I’ll probably forget they’re here on my desk. I want to make sure Dad and Rosa get them.”

“Not a problem. I’ll take care of it. By the way, can you spare an hour to meet with someone?”

Alexandra looked at the clock on her desk. “Now? What for?”

“You’re going to love me.”

She groaned.

“I can tell you’re having a great day, and I’m about to make it better,” Rick quipped, unaffected by her sour mood.

Alexandra growled. “Rick, please.”

“Lexxi, have I ever let you down? This is important.”

“Okay what is it?”

“The woman you’re interviewing for the Chief Operating Officer position next week is right outside your office.”

“What? How come?”

“I bumped into her over lunch and suggested she come by. You’re welcome,” Rick hummed.

“Do you have time to meet her with me? I need you to be on board with whoever we choose.”

“I’m on board, Lex. Trust me. She’s the right person for this job. Easy on the eye too, if you know what I mean,” he said with a wink.

“Okay. Give me a minute, then bring her in.” Alexandra stepped into her private powder room and got herself together.

Returning to her desk, she pulled up the file that Human Resources had emailed to her a few days earlier. She needed to have some background on the candidate who could turn out to be in the top operations spot here at Purple Blaze. Alexandra would still maintain the CEO position, but with Ladonna Johnson potentially handling the day to day management of the company, the very idea felt like a weight off of her shoulders.

At the knock on her door, she ran a hand down her shirt and took a calming breath. “Come on in.”

Rick breezed back into her office, followed by the woman who stretched out a hand for a handshake.

“Hello, how are you?” Ladonna Johnson greeted her. The attractive middle-aged woman with blonde hair and watery blue eyes flashed a brilliant smile and a confident disposition. Half-rising, Alexandra shook her hand and then gestured for them both to have a seat.

“Are you ready for this?” Rick asked Ladonna with a grin.

“I can show you better than I can tell you,” she answered.

Alexandra took a minute to look her over, and right away decided she liked her. The two of them took some time getting to know more about their top candidate’s background, and discovered she had a lot of relevant experience in the industry.

“I don’t want this label to run like it did in the past,” Alexandra pointed out after they had talked shop for almost an hour. “I took over Blaze Entertainment because, as an artist, I got sick of feeling like I had the least amount of say in my career and livelihood. Now that I’m at the helm of Purple Blaze, I want to take us in a different direction. What I need is someone to handle the operations, with Rick as the senior advisor. It would leave me with enough time to focus on strategy, artist development and my own work, at least for a year or two.”

“That isn’t a problem. I love the direction you’re taking. I’ve been through two of these types of transformation projects with my current employer, so I’d like to think I’m solutions-oriented, rather than the woman with the red pen. I’m not here to see what’s wrong. I’m here to help you keep doing what’s right.”

Alexandra looked over at Rick, who was now nodding energetically. “Honestly, if you can do that, you’d be perfect. I have more than I bargained for on my plate right now.”

“I’ll do everything in my power if given the chance,” Ladonna assured them.

“Great.”

“Lexxi,” Rick piped up. “What are you waiting for? Hire the woman.”

Smiling, Alexandra nodded. “Fine. You’re hired. Rick will take care of contracts and such. How much notice do you need for your current job?”

“Three or four weeks, but they’re a good shop. If you’re okay with it, I can start getting oriented next week while I begin to do handoffs over there.”

“That’s perfectly fine with me.” Alexandra turned to Rick. “You’ll get her up to speed, right? I’d help out, but with the tour coming, and all that’s going on outside of work—”

“Say no more, Lexxi,” Rick replied. “Consider it done. I’ll see her out.”

“Great. Thanks Rick. Welcome aboard, Ladonna.”

“Thanks for the opportunity, Miss Storme. Take care of yourself.”

Rick was a little more flirtatious and bubbly around Ladonna, which made her slightly concerned, considering that he was supposedly happily married. She immediately relaxed when she heard Rick mention to the woman that his wife’s brother was single.

“Don’t let him be your matchmaker!” Alexandra teased as they walked out of her office.

After they left, she snatched up her phone to try Bash’s number again. She refused to overthink it. She needed to reach him, even if he was clearly ignoring her calls. Like this time. It went right to voicemail. Again.

“Oh, come on,” she grumbled, hanging up without leaving a message. Trying not to let it get to her, she found her father’s number to give him a heads up about the VIP passes. She grabbed her purse to head out of the office. Eva would be at her house by nine, so there was just enough time to get in and have a long bath.

Dad’s phone rang as she made her way to her car.

“How’s my budding mogul?” he answered.

“Hey, Daddy.”

“How’s it going?”

She closed her car door and started the engine, resting the phone in the cradle that connected it to her car speakers. “Good. Remember I told you I want you and Rosa front and center for at least one stop on the tour? Well, I got you VIP passes. I’m having them sent out to you, okay?”

“Hmm, that sounds great dear. You do know Rosa and I would prefer to just have dinner with you here at the house, right?”

“Yes, Dad. I know,” she told him, driving out of her building parking lot. “You and Rosa don’t want to hang out with a bunch of crazy, screaming fans and hear deafening music. Still, you can come backstage and give me a hug for good luck.”

“You don’t need luck, honey. You love it up on stage. You were born to rock.”

“Awww.”

“So,” Dad paused for a long beat. “Is there anyone else I should let know to keep an eye on his mail? I’m outside right now…and…yes, as a matter of fact he’s just opening his front door. You called just in time. Hello, Sullivan boy!” he called out loudly.

Alexandra cringed. “Dad! Stop it. First of all, his name isn’t Sullivan boy. It’s Sebastian. And second, don’t call him. I need to speak to him when he’s got time for me.”

“I’m just saying hello. Can’t a man greet his neighbor?”

Alexandra groaned. “What’s he doing? What did he say?”

“He waved…and now he’s letting in a pretty little redhead.”

That got her attention. “He’s letting someone in? Who?”

“Well, I don’t know her name, Alexandra. Maybe you should call him and ask.”

“Ugh! Just don’t say anything more.”

“Alright—talk to you later, Alexandra.”

“Wait, Dad!”

Her father laughed quietly on the other end of the line, aware of exactly what he was doing. “Yes, Alexandra?”

“Take a picture of Bash and whoever that redhead chick is, and send it to me.”

“What’s wrong with you, child? No, Alexandra, I’m not going to pry into that man’s personal life for you. If you want to know how Sebastian is doing or who he’s with, why don’t you give him a call? I still don’t understand why you two aren’t together by now. Must I remind you how much of a godsend he was for you while I was sick?”

“It’s not what you think, Dad…never mind.”

“Oh. Well, if it makes you feel any better, the redhead doesn’t seem to be an overnight guest. She’s leaving and heading back to her car. Oh. Scratch that, she’s going back inside with takeout food bags.”

“Where are you?” she asked, suddenly picturing her father hanging out in the bushes to play spy for her.

“I’m on the porch. Why?”

“Nothing. Don’t tell me anymore. Just…I love you, you know that. Good night, Daddy. Sorry I called this late. Now get some sleep.”

“Nine-fifteen isn’t that late, you know. I’m not that old. I love you, too, honey. Good night.”

Alexandra hung up, and sat in her driveway a few more minutes, contemplating who this redhead was, showing up at Bash’s house. “A new girlfriend already?” she mumbled regretfully. “This quickly?”

I hope she isn’t.

Not that I have any right to hope. I don’t.

She dragged herself out of her car and into her house. “Well, it was bound to happen eventually, Lex,” she said aloud.

Still, that was fast. Everything was fine two days ago, and now he had a date? If he had seen the scandal, it would be reason enough, but gosh, he wouldn’t even take her call to let her explain.

Sighing, she headed upstairs and into her master bathroom to fill the bathtub. She slid her smartphone on the ledge and undressed, ready to let the fragrant bubble bath help her wash it all away. Lowering inside the tub, she laid her head back, wishing she could just let it go, but couldn’t stop thinking about Bash and this redhead. It sure explained why he didn’t answer her calls.

Suddenly she just didn’t want to let it go. Letting it go—letting him go—wasn’t an option.

Who am I kidding? I want to talk to him and beg him to reconsider.

Finding his number in her call logs, she hit redial and waited, wondering what to tell him if he answered this time.

He took the call! “Hello, Bash?”

There was no response, but someone definitely answered. There was noise on the other end. That was when she made out a woman’s voice in the background, and her ears really perked up.