wanting to sound too eager, Jessie hesitated before responding. “That’s nice of you to say, Teresa. The situation got pretty intense, so I’m glad I was able to help. The event isn’t going to be held there again, is it? It was a lovely hotel, but after the mudslide I’m not in love with hotels situated on a cliff.”
“Understood. It’ll be a while before The Opulence is up and running again anyway. And Matt would really like to get this retreat done soon—”
“How soon?”
“He’s considering two weekends this month.” Teresa’s tone was tentative. “I’m hoping you’ll be available on one of them.”
Jessie grimaced. She’d planned to spend the month writing songs for her next album and securing the producers and musicians she wanted to work with on her dream project. “Actually, I cleared my calendar to work on my next album.”
“I can appreciate how busy you must be, Jessie, but if you have any flexibility at all, you know Matt Richmond will make it worth your while. We’d do the same generous deal as last time. In addition to your booking fee, we’ll pay for your flight via private jet, and all of your room service expenses at the hotel.”
Jessie chewed on her lower lip and paced the floor. “I don’t know. This album is really important to me. I didn’t tell you before, but I’ve decided not to re-sign with my current label. I plan to start my own, so I’ll have the freedom to make songs like the ones I performed that day in the lobby.”
“I applaud your decision, Jessie. I did the same when I broke away from MSM Events and started my own company. So I know how rewarding it can be, but I also know that you need money and connections when you’re breaking out on your own. And at Richmond Industries’ fifth anniversary gala, you’ll have an opportunity to nab both.”
“What do you mean?” Jessie sat on the edge of her sofa. “Who’s going to be at the retreat?”
“Since not all of the invited guests will be able to attend on such short notice, Matt instructed me to expand the list. If there’s a producer or music exec you’re eyeing for your new project, I could try to have them added to the guest list. I can’t promise you they’ll attend, but I’ll do my best to get them there. I’ll even seat you at the same table.”
Jessie sat on the piano bench. As much as she’d like to spend the next several weeks immersed in this project, if she was going to make it a reality, she needed the money she’d get from this gig. And if Teresa St. Claire could get her at a table with Chase Stratton or Dixon Benedict and allow her to showcase some of the new material she was working on for the album, all the better.
“And if you’re looking for wealthy music lovers who might be willing to help bankroll your project, there’ll be a few in attendance, I’m sure. Also, we might be able to increase your exposure by broadcasting your performance live this time. If that’s something you want, I’ll talk to Nicolette Ryan about it.”
There were too many benefits to this deal to ignore. “You’ve got a deal. Send the contract over to my agent.”
Sinking onto the mat, Jessie tried to resume her yoga practice.
She’d managed to avoid Gideon Johns the last time she’d returned to Seattle. Maybe she could again. The money and exposure were worth the risk.
If she did cross paths with him, things didn’t need to be awkward. She couldn’t stop thinking of him, but he probably hadn’t given her another thought. So she’d hold her head high, greet him politely and move on with her life.
Jessie allowed her eyes to drift closed as she inhaled a deep breath. Everything would be fine. In fact, it might be good to see Gideon again. Perhaps it would prompt her to relinquish the silly fantasy she still held on to. Then she could finally let go of the past and any thoughts of what might’ve been.
* * *
“Good news.” Landon knocked on the partially open door of Gideon’s office. “You won’t have to pin Matt Richmond down for a meeting after all.”
“Why not?” Gideon looked up from his laptop where he’d been writing an email, trying to close the deal with a potential investor in the Dubai project. “Have we gotten all the capital we need?”
“Not yet.” Landon frowned as he took a few steps inside Gideon’s office. “But we’re close. And I think we might’ve gotten even closer. I just confirmed that you’ll be available to attend the rescheduled Richmond Industries anniversary retreat.”
Gideon leaned back in his seat and rubbed his chin. “Matt is hosting the event, so it’ll be hard to pin him down for a one-on-one presentation.”
“I’ll put together a quick video presentation with all of the basic facts. Something eye-catching that’ll grab his attention.” Landon slid into the chair in front of Gideon’s desk. “You can hand him a copy of the prospectus as well as email it to him so he can review it at length.”
“Good work, Landon.”
“Thanks.” He grinned, settling in the chair.
Gideon raised an eyebrow. “Guess that means you’d better get to work.”
“Right.” Landon hopped up quickly and headed for the door. “Oh, and I sent you over that list of prospective investors.”
“I’m working on it now,” Gideon confirmed. He peered through his thumb and forefinger. “I’m this close to securing another hundred million.”
Landon’s phone rang. But rather than a traditional ringer, it played a familiar song.
“That song...”
“Sorry, I usually turn my ringer off in the office, but I just came back from lunch and—”
“That’s a Jessie Humphrey song, isn’t it?” He’d recognize Jessie’s soulful, heart-wrenching voice anywhere.
“Yeah, it’s one of the more obscure songs on her recent album. It doesn’t get any radio play, but if you ask me, it’s one of the best songs on the album.” Landon seemed impressed that he knew who Jessie Humphrey was. “My girlfriend loves the song, too. That’s why I chose it as her ringtone.”
“Well, you’d better call her back, huh?” Gideon went back to typing out his email.
“Right. But I’ll send you the tentative dates for the retreat first. And I’ll get to work on that presentation just as soon as I can.”
Gideon hit Send on the email. Then he pulled out his phone and searched for Jessie’s recent album. He’d purchased every album she’d made and the songs she wrote for other artists over the years.
Despite the debacle of the kiss, Jessie had been a friend. Someone he truly cared for. He wanted only the best for her.
He stared at the album cover where Jessie sat in a leather chair wearing a short, flirty dress and a sexy smile. He often wondered if things would’ve turned out differently between them if more time had passed after his breakup with Geneva before Jessie had kissed him. Would he still have reacted negatively? Or would he have kissed her back?
Gideon shook the thought from his brain. They’d both gone on to fulfill their dreams. Wasn’t that proof enough that things had happened just as they should?
He scrolled through the song list. Most of the songs on this album had an upbeat pop sound. But the song Landon had chosen as his girlfriend’s ringtone was more like the soulful performance Jessie had given in that intimate little club. It was the kind of song that made her unique vocals shine.
Gideon shut the door to his office and played the song on repeat, losing himself in the mellow sound of Jessie’s voice and her heartbreaking lyrics.
Teresa