Rockstar Romeo - Abbie Zanders Page 0,5
Jace Logan messed with my circuits. He probably didn’t even realize he was doing it; it was just part of the rock star Romeo package.
I reached into my desk drawer and grabbed a protein bar from my stash, biting into it with more force than necessary. Damn Jace Logan for stirring up my dormant hormones. I should have called in reinforcements earlier.
The day hadn’t been a total waste though. I chuckled, remembering the look of mortification on Jace’s face when I handed him over to Ted. Priceless! I guessed not many people denied him anything. Maybe this would be good for him.
I shook my head, pushed Jace Logan out of my mind, and got back to work. It didn’t take long for things to start piling up, and the time spent with Dark Wing this morning had put me behind. I was engrossed in analyzing the latest marketing numbers from our regional promotions managers when my phone rang.
I frowned. Our administrative assistant, Cassie, was usually pretty good about following instructions.
“Cassie, I said I didn’t want to be disturbed.”
“I know, Ms. D’Agolino, but it’s Ms. Venedetta again. This is the third time she’s called. She’s very tenacious, ma’am.”
I smiled. Calling my cousin Soraya tenacious was an understatement.
“Put her through.”
I sat back in my chair and closed my eyes, bracing myself for the conversation I was about to have. I knew exactly why Soraya was calling. She was getting married, and I’d yet to meet the lucky groom, which reminded me ... I needed to look at her registry and send something nice.
“Eva?”
“Hey, Soraya.”
“You’re a hard woman to get ahold of, you know that? I was about to ask Graham to fly us out there on the company jet.”
I laughed. Knowing Soraya as I did, I could see her doing just that. “Sorry about that. Things have been hectic.”
“I bet,” she murmured. “What A-lister are you making famous today?”
“Dark Wing.”
“Oh, man. Is Jace Logan as delicious in person as he is in pictures?”
More so.
Aloud, I said, “I suppose.”
“Lucky woman.”
“Luck has nothing to do with it. It’s all skill, baby.”
She laughed, as I’d intended. “Good. You can bring him to New York when you visit. He can be your plus-one.”
I sighed. “I’m sorry, Soraya, I can’t.”
“Won’t, you mean.”
I suppose that, technically, I could take a few days off and fly across the country to New York. Soraya was my favorite cousin, and there was nothing physically preventing me from going. Nothing, that was, except my own stubborn pride and the desire not to deal with the shaking heads and clicking tongues I knew I’d encounter. I’d walked away from my family a long time ago, and Soraya was the only one I’d stayed in contact with.
“It’s complicated.”
“Hey, you know I understand complicated family dynamics. You’ve listened to me vent about my father often enough over the years. But being with Graham has made me rethink things. My dad and I are actually talking again now. Things aren’t great, but they’re better.” Soraya paused. “It’s been twenty years, Eva. Maybe it’s time you did some reevaluating too.”
“Is that your official advice, Ida?” I teased, but inside, I felt a sharp stab of pain in my chest, the one I always felt when I thought about my parents and what I’d done. Bringing up Soraya’s job as an assistant and sometimes responder to the popular advice columnist, “Ask Ida,” was a surefire way to deflect some of the heat she was throwing my way. I’d never admit that I read the column religiously every day, and may have even submitted a few questions of my own.
“Yes, it is. Come to New York. Bring Jace Logan. Show everyone what a big success you are by rubbing it in their faces.”
It was a nice thought, but my “success” wasn’t enough to erase what I’d done. I knew that someday, I’d have to face them again but not yet. I wasn’t ready.
“I really can’t. My schedule just won’t allow it.”
A heavy sigh followed her long pause. “All right, Eva. I get it. Just ... don’t wait too long, okay?”
“Love you, Soraya.”
“Love you too, Eva.”
~ * ~
It was much later that night when I finally made it back to my place. On the plus side, I’d taken care of the highest priority items on my to-do list, ordered a lovely hand-etched set of Bavarian crystal tumblers for Soraya and Graham, and made a quick stop at the store to pick up a few necessities. I was exhausted, but the