Two weeks had passed since she’d returned home. Two weeks since she’d last seen Dalton and Beau. She and Jesse had met for lunch a couple of times, but it was different. Lacey could tell she was avoiding talking about the band as to not bring up the subject of Dalton. Lacey wasn’t comfortable talking about her new job either.
“What are we doing, Jess? We can’t keep the band taboo forever. It’s okay to talk about it. I won’t fall apart. I’m a big girl. I see the papers and the entertainment news. I know he goes out. Same ole Dalton. There. I said it. Dalton. Lightening didn’t strike. It’s all good. Now, tell me. Are you excited about the upcoming show?”
Jesse’s shoulders slumped. “God, I’ve been holding my breath trying to think of other things to talk about, but there’s only so much you can say about hockey and the weather. How stupid are we to let a guy get in the middle of our friendship, even if he is like a brother to me? You’re family too, Lace. Don’t ever forget that, okay?”
“Okay. I think this calls for champagne, don’t you? Waiter, bring us your best bubbly. We’re celebrating.”
“I can’t get over your transformation. I mean, you know what I mean. You were always most comfortable in jeans and a t-shirt. Now your all legs in high heels and a skirt. And your hair! Don’t get me started on your hair. The highlights are beautiful, Lace. You look better than ever.”
“Thanks, Jess. It’s kind-of been like playing dress-up for me. I basically had to buy a new wardrobe- or at least the start to one. This crap is expensive.” Her laughter lit up her face.
“You seem happy. Are you happy?” Jess hesitated to ask.
Lacey fumbled with the tablecloth. “Happy? I wouldn’t say that. I’d say I’m focused on learning and enjoying the challenge. Happy will come later. I’m okay with that right now. I have to be, don’t I?”
“How is the new assistant doing? I hear she came highly recommended.” Lacey couldn’t resist asking.
“She’s not you, but I think she’ll be okay. She’s completely unimpressed by all the trappings of the environment. It’s strictly a job to her. I think that is good for us. Keeps us in line like you did.”
A sigh of relief escaped Lacey. “I really am glad to hear that. The hardest thing I’ve ever done was leaving you guys. I…it was the best thing for everyone involved. Now enough about the past. I can’t wait to see your concert this weekend.”
“You’ll be there?” Jesse’s wide eyes elicited a laugh from Lacey.
“Of course, I will be. I wouldn’t miss it. I probably won’t have another opportunity, and your right here in town. It will be fun to be a fan and enjoy the music this time around. Do you have new music you will be playing?”
“Yes. I’m so in love with it. Wait ‘til you hear it. It’s full of heart and soul.” Jesse’s excitement was contagious.
Lacey leaned over and held up her glass. “Here’s to another successful show. Rock the house, girl.” The clink of their glasses sloshed the bubbly liquid.
“Come on. I’ll walk back to the office with you.” The office was just around the corner from the restaurant.
They rode the elevator up to the third floor where Lacey’s office was located.
“Come on. I’ll show you my new home away from home.” The elevator doors opened and they were greeted by the receptionist.
“Good afternoon, Ms. Swanson.”
“Hello, Dawn. I told you to call me Lacey.” She grinned at the girl behind the large desk as she swatted her away.
“I’m still trying to get used to all of this…professionalism. You know, this side is much different than being out on the road.” She passed by three offices and turned into the fourth door on the right. “Well, this is it.” She ushered Jesse in to her office.
“I see you’ve already added the Lacey touch. Flowers were on the small conference table. Photos of her and the band were on the hanging bookshelves. “It’s very nice, Lace.”
“Thanks, Jess.”
“I need to scoot upstairs. They boys are supposed to be laying down some tracks. Can’t leave them unsupervised for long.”
They hugged good-bye and promised to talk soon.
Lacey was standing in the hallway with her back turned to the front floor entrance talking with a new client.
“Excuse me, have you seen Jesse Alston? I was told she was down here.”
Slowly, Lacey turned around to the all-to-familiar sound of Dalton’s voice.
“Hello, Dalton.” She forced herself to remain calm.
Dalton’s eyes widened and his posture visibly stiffened.
“Lacey, I…I didn’t expect to see you. I didn’t even recognize you. How, uh, are you?” he was uncomfortably polite.
“I’m not quite certain how to take that, so I’ll assume it was an off-handed compliment, at least I hope it was. I’m good, Dalton. I hope you are as well.” Lacey turned to the man she had been talking too. “Dalton, this is Chance Mason, one of our clients. Chance, Dalton Gentry.”
The guys shook hands. “Man, I love your music. You guys are great.” Chance already knew who Dalton was. Not surprising being in the industry himself, even if he was a newbie.
“Thanks. Appreciate that. Think I heard your single this morning. What was it? Two Drinks In? Cool tune. Good luck.”
“Thanks, Man.”
“Jesse was just here, but she headed up to the booths looking for you and Beau.”
“Oh, we probably crossed paths then. Okay, well…” a pregnant pause caused Lacey to shift her weight. “It was really good to see you, Lace. Take care.” He surprised the hell out of her when he bent down and brushed his lips against hers. Then he was gone.
She felt a flush spread across her cheeks and down her neck. Taking a moment to collect herself, she straightened her blazer. Looking back to Chase, she motioned him into her office.
“Do you handle all your clients like that?” Chase leaned in, his eyebrows raised.
“Simmer down, cowboy. Dalton is an old family friend. He’s like a brother to me.” Lacey straightened the already straight stack of papers on her desk.
“I never kissed my sister like that.” Chase returned smugly.
“Okay. Let’s focus. We have a lot to talk about. You are about to become a very busy man.”
******
Dalton’s slow gait entered the recording studio, his brows furrowed, his eyes glazed.
“There you are. I was about to send the posse out to look for you.” Beau jested.
“What posse? We don’t have a posse.” Jesse chided.
“Okay, I was about to text him. Same thing. Just quicker.” Beau grinned at his own humor.
“You saw her, didn’t you?” Jesse watched Dalton closely.
His eyes raised to hers. “Yeah.” His tone was flat. He shoved his hands in his pockets.
“Her? Her...as in Lacey?” Beau stammered.
“Yes, Lacey. I saw her okay. Now, are we going to play some music or what?” Dalton jerked his guitar off the stand and plugged in the amp.
Beau swiveled his stool to face his keyboard. “I was here before you were, remember?” He pounced on a few keys. “Ready when you are.”
“D, it’s alright to admit you miss her. We miss her too, don’t we Beau?” Jesse reached out and rested her hand on his forearm.
He strummed his guitar in frustration, making a loud, ugly noise.
“Yes, I miss her. Damn it! It wasn’t supposed to turn out like this.” He plopped down heavily on the overstuffed loveseat sitting in the corner. His head hung in his hands.
“How did you expect it to turn out? You played with her emotions. She laid herself completely open to you and you crushed her. What did you think, she would just shrug her shoulders and chalk it up to experience? This is Lacey we’re talking about. You know her better than anybody.”
“I’ve really messed things up, haven’t I?” his voice was monotone and his shoulders slumped.
“Have you tried to talk with her since we got back?”
“No. What would I say? Sorry I slept with you on numerous occasions and then dumped you with no warning whatsoever, because that’s basically what I did.”
“When you put it that way…I don’t know. I still think you should try talking with her. You guys are too close to just tank your friendship without a fight, aren’t you? I thought she meant more to you than that, especially after watching you take care of her when she was sick, D. I know you care about her.”
Dalton’s expression closed, his jaw tightening. “I think about it.” He stood abruptly and adjusted his guitar.
“Let’s play.”