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She ended the call, sighing deeply and rubbing her temples. When she turned around and spotted me, she looked almost guilty.
"You heard?" she asked, her voice soft.
I nodded, not trusting myself to speak. The thought of her meeting Benjamin alone was eating me up inside.
"It's the best chance we've got, Austin," she said, her voice filled with conviction. "He won't cause a scene in public. And maybe...maybe without you there, he'll be more inclined to sign."
I ran a hand through my hair, frustrated. "Paisley, I don't like the idea of you meeting him alone. Especially not after the café."
She stepped closer, laying a gentle hand on my arm. "I'll be okay. I promise. I need to do this."
The resolve in her eyes told me there was no arguing with her. "Alright," I conceded, my voice gruff. "But you'll message me the moment it's over, okay? And I'll be nearby. Just in case."
She smiled, a touch of relief in her eyes. "Deal."
We walked back into the theater, the chattering crowd and the buzz of excitement a stark contrast to the heaviness I felt. As the lights dimmed again, and the second act began, Paisley snuggled closer. I wrapped an arm around her, drawing her into my embrace. The feeling of her against me was both a comfort and a torment.
The remainder of the show was a blur. Every song, every scene, felt charged with a tension that mirrored my own. By the time the curtain fell and the audience rose in a standing ovation, I felt drained.
When the final bows were taken and the theater began to empty, I pulled Paisley close. "Tonight was for you," I murmured, pressing a kiss to her temple.
She smiled, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. "Thank you, Austin. For everything."
35
PAISLEY
The journey to meet Benjamin felt like an eternity. Every second was a battle between the urge to turn back and the need to finish what I'd started. My heart raced in my chest, memories of our time together swirling in my mind, each one threatening to swallow me whole.
The building was just as opulent as I remembered, the doorman recognizing me immediately. "Ms. Paisley," he greeted with a nod.
I smiled weakly. "Hi, George."
Once in the elevator, I watched the numbers rise, and the reality of what I was doing hit me like a ton of bricks. I took a deep breath, steadying myself as the elevator dinged, signaling my arrival.
The door to the penthouse was slightly ajar, and I hesitated, the weight of our past lingering in the air. Taking another breath, I pushed it open. The familiar scent of Benjamin's cologne immediately enveloped me, sending a shiver down my spine.
He was waiting in the spacious living room, a panoramic view of the city behind him. He looked up, his eyes meeting mine, and for a moment, time seemed to stand still.
"Paisley," he whispered, a soft smile on his lips.
"Benjamin," I replied, my voice trembling slightly. "Thank you for agreeing to meet."
He gestured to the plush couch. "Come, sit. Can I get you something to drink?"
I hesitated, then nodded. "Water would be good."
Benjamin moved to the kitchen, and I took the opportunity to look around. The penthouse was much the same as I remembered – a mix of modern aesthetics and warm, inviting tones. Memories of our time together flashed before my eyes, and I had to shake my head to dispel them.
He returned with two glasses of water, handing one to me before taking a seat across the table. There was a moment of silence as we both seemed to search for the right words.
Finally, he cleared his throat. "You look... good, Paisley."
I laughed, the sound a little too high-pitched. "Thanks. So do you."
He leaned back, studying me for a moment. "I really don't like him, you know. Austin."
I sighed, rolling my eyes. "I gathered as much."
