Tempest ballad “Beauty,” I put away the equipment I’d used and was about to slip away quietly when Ash called me.
“Lotus, can you come sit and visit with me a moment?”
“Sure.”
I crossed to him quickly and took a seat beside him. He set his laptop on the concrete coffee table and pinched the bridge of his nose.
“You okay?” I asked.
“I’m fine. Just a little business stress.” His mouth curved. “I was about to ask you that same question.”
“Why?” My brows drew together.
“You’re always working.”
“So are you.”
“I love what I do, but I’m not so sure about you. I certainly didn’t like watching Mr. Macari giving you a hard time at the bar.”
“He’s not so bad.” I shrugged. “My coworkers are pretty awesome, and the tips are really great.”
“I suppose.” Ash didn’t look convinced.
“Is that what you wanted to talk to me about?”
“Not exactly.” He glanced at his computer before refocusing on me. “I was looking over the expense projections for OB Hardy.”
“Oh.” I tilted my head. “Good or bad?”
“On paper, not so good.” He tapped his chin. “I always liked the individual components of OB Hardy, but I never really loved them. Not until last night.”
“Cork is really excited about being in the band.”
“I’m excited for him. He’s highly skilled. So are the rest of them. That’s important, but it’s the chemistry that brings it all together. With Cork and Journey plugged in, I’m starting to get a better idea how to market the group.”
“That sounds promising.”
“Promising is a good word. Only it doesn’t factor prominently in the projection formula the way it should. I’ve invested a lot in OB Hardy. It’s time now to get them out in front of people.”
“I heard they’re going on before the Dogs at Surf Fest next week.”
“News travels fast.” Ash raised a blond brow that disappeared beneath the backward-facing ball cap on his head. “I forget sometimes how small your community of friends is.”
“Yeah, I was dating Saber,” I said sheepishly. “Now I’m with Journey, and my brother’s the bassist in the band. Pretty small, for sure.”
“You and Journey, huh?” Ash asked, his eyes widening. “That’s interesting.”
“Yeah, we spent some time together in LA. I like him. I thought you liked him too. You invited him to join the group.”
“I do like him.” He nodded thoughtfully and gave me a searching look. Something in his eyes made me wonder if he knew Journey’s secret. “He’s been around in the same music circles as I’ve been for a while, but always in the periphery. Never really settling down and investing in anything. I hoped he would click with OB Hardy. It seems he has clicked, and more so than just with the band.”
I blushed. “There was some confusion for us at the beginning, but we talked, and I think we’re on the same page now.”
“If you give him and you the space to get things straight in his mind, he’s going to make the right decision.”
“What right decision?” I asked.
“The right one relationally.” He rubbed the back of his neck. “It took me a while to figure out what I wanted and needed most in life.”
“Fanny, you mean?” I knew most of his story with her.
“Yes.” Ash’s eyes took on a faraway glow. “Actions often tell you more about a person than their words do. Fanny saw the potential in me, in us, before I did. What do Journey’s actions say to you?”
“He loves music. He’s steady and certain about it, about a lot of things. He cares about me and gives insightful advice. Actually,” I narrowed my eyes on Ash, “he reminds me of you in a lot of ways.”
“I’ll take that as a compliment.”
“It was meant to be one.”
“Thank you, Lotus. I do care about the artists I sign and the people who work for me.” His features firm, he pulled in a breath and let it out. “On to band business. Do you want to have a lawyer look over the contract I sent your brother?”
“I can’t afford a lawyer,” I said.
“I could provide one for you.”
“I trust you, Ash. I know you’ll do the right thing for me and my brother.”
“I promise I will always look out for both of you.” He gave me a soft smile. “Does this mean you’re prepared to sign the paperwork to make Cork an official member of OB Hardy?”
“Prepared? No.” I shook my head. “But I’ll sign because it’s what’s best for him. Music and surfing are his passion.”