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“What are you up to?” I ask.
“I was just about to order an Uber to head out.”
“Still no car?”
She pouts. “No, they’re waiting for my mama to pay. If I tell Daddy, he’s going to lose it, so I’ll wait.”
“Oh,” I say and jerk my head back. “Do you want Matthew or Wilson to drop you somewhere?”
“No, ma’am. I’m fine.” She gives me a sheepish look. “Do you think I could stick around today? That is, if you’re not busy.”
I reach to tuck her wild curls behind her ear. “I told you, you’re welcome to hang out anytime you want. As long as you’re not neglecting your studies.”
“My studies are fine. I got my papers done already,” she says as I stick out my arm for her to loop hers through.
We start for the elevator. I don’t miss the fact that I’m starting to get stares. I only have on a pair of shades today. Matthew was just saying this morning that he believes it’s time I change hotels or look for a temporary residence.
“How’d you do on your project?”
“I got an A.”
“That’s my girl. We should celebrate. I’m taking you to dinner tonight.”
“You don’t have to do that. You already spoil me enough.”
“Are your co-worker still giving you crap?”
She rolls her eyes. “A little, but who cares. I get to spend time with a legend. My supervisor wants to make a fuss, but it’s never during company time, so what can she do about it?”
“Not a darn thing. The stink I would make in this place if they even thought about reprimanding you.”
Jess’s face breaks into a huge smile as we step off the elevator. I’m glad to kick my heels off as we step into the suite. After asking Elise to make dinner reservations, I head to use the restroom and freshen up.
I stop to stare at myself in the mirror. I should probably start to reschedule tour dates. However, I haven’t been able to think about that.
From the exhaustion on my face, I should probably take some down time before I jump back on the road. For a moment, I allow myself to think of a life here in Texas. What if I didn’t go back on tour?
I could stay here and work the ranch for Daddy. It’s been years, but I’m sure I could get back into the swing of things. I shake the thought off.
This isn’t my life. I have people counting on me. I’d be changing more than my life. Besides, I haven’t been on a horse since my accident in Italy.
I’ve never forgotten Cuore Selvaggio or Fumo. I’ve often wondered what happened to them. That all seems like another time, another life.
Rolling my shoulders, I dry my hands. Maybe by the time my father is released, I’ll have solid answers as to what my next moves should be.
I push aside the past and my thoughts as I walk back out into the common area. Not for the first time, this young girl brings a smile to my face. Music is playing, and she’s dancing with Elise and Maggie.
There’s a sparkle I haven’t seen in her eyes since the first night I met her. It’s good to see. She’s been so sad. While she’s been opening up more and more, she still hasn’t told me what’s brought all that sadness on.
“Hey, now, y’all can’t have a party without me,” I sing.
The song changes to “How Does It Feel” by Chlöe and Chris Brown. I’ve heard this one a few times. It’s cute.
Apparently, Jess likes it too. She grabs Maggie’s mic and starts to sing and full-out perform. All the shyness is gone.
“Hey, that’s my mic,” Maggie pouts with her silly self.
She swears that thing gives her a singing voice. Which it does not. However, the mic is forgotten as we all watch Jess.
After a few moments of shock, we all fall in and sing and dance with her. This baby sings like someone broke her heart. I feel it in my bones.
The three of us dance like her broke back-up dancers. Swaying and popping our fingers and hips. Elise and I move to each side of Jess, and she follows our moves. I laugh when she picks up better than her father ever has.
The song changes to “Water” by Tyla. Jess squeals and her entire face lights up.
“Do y’all know how to do this dance? I’ve always wanted to learn it. I mean, I’ve tried, but I don’t know if I’m doing it right,” she gushes out.
Elise looks at me and smiles. She knows I know how. I did it for the knee challenge back in New York with some friends. Shocked the hell out of everyone.
The dance is called Bacardi. However, I’m not too sure Trevor would want me to show her how. As if reading my mind, Elise speaks my thoughts.
