They smelled fresh and minty. Sindy didn’t know if she ever drank anything that tasted so good. “Mmm. Tessa, this is incredible. I have no idea how you make everything taste so amazing.” She had become accustomed to the magnificent aromas that filled the Blade-Garcia household and the delectable meals, as well as the father/daughter competitions in the kitchen which was really sweet and endearing.
The click-clack of high heels echoed behind Sindy, and she turned to see Jessi Blade walking toward them, a sketch pad held against her chest.
“I’m glad you girls are here,” Jessi said. “I’ve been working on the new logo for Prodigy. Come look and let me know what you think.”
An excited gasp escaped through Tessa’s lips. “Let me see!” She raced to her mother’s side and inspected the sketch pad. “It’s perfect, Mom. Sindy, c’mere and take a look.”
Sindy stood on the opposite side of Jessi so they could all inspect the design together. It was a guitar pick, with Prodigy written across the center. Behind the guitar pick were crossed drumsticks. “That’s pretty cool. Did Prodigy have an old logo?”
“Just the name of the band in that same font,” Tessa replied. “So it’ll still be recognizable to our neighborhood fans, but this is much more eye catching.”
“Since the name of the band is Prodigy, I wanted to incorporate a little history.” Jessi traced her finger over the design. The drumsticks obviously represent Mason, and the guitar pick represents Lucas. But it can also relate to you too, Tess. You use a pick sometimes on the bass, right?”
“Not really. But it’s OK.”
“I started with this design if you like it better.” Jessi turned the page. “But I thought it looked too congested.”
The design on the previous page was identical, except a mic and stand stood behind the guitar pick, vertically, between the crossed drumsticks.
“That’s sweet Mom, but, you’re right. It’s too much. It distracts from the band name.”
“That’s exactly what I said!” Jessi placed her arm around Tessa’s shoulder and gave her a quick hug. “My girl has such a great eye for design.” Then Jessi Blade turned her gaze on Sindy. “The guitar pick also represents you, Sindy.”
She was surprised that Jessi thought of her, and it left her a little flabbergasted. She hadn’t shared much one-on-one conversation with Jessi Blade, and her nerves were still a little jittery at being in the presence of a world-famous designer. “Thank you. I really appreciate that. I think it looks great.”
“What’s going on in here?” Tommy Blade entered the kitchen with a bounce. “Lucas and Mason sent me in to tell you they want grub.”
“Grub?” Angel raised his brows high on his forehead. “I’ve spent my life cooking elegant meals and our son calls my cuisinegrub? Where have I failed him?”
Tessa let out a dramatic sigh and looked up to the ceiling. “He’s such a heathen.”
Sindy had to stifle a laugh. The two of them, with their overdramatic mannerisms, were exactly alike. Yet, Tessa also had Jessi’s spunk and take-no-shit attitude. Sindy’s gaze drifted to Tommy, still so devastatingly handsome, and she imagined Lucas at his father’s age. And Tommy at Lucas’ age.
Tommy came up behind Jessi, put his arms around her waist and rested his chin on her shoulder. “Whatcha got, hon?”
Sindy noted that Tommy used the same endearment on his wife that Lucas had tried to use on her. Obviously, he picked it up from his father. Another trait passed down from father to son.
“Prodigy’s new logo,” Jessi answered. As she described the meaning of the guitar pick and drumsticks and turned the pages to show him her previous drafts, Tommy became more interested in nuzzling his wife’s cheek and neck than in the band’s logo.
Jessi let out a giddy laugh. “Would you stop? You’re not even paying attention to me.”
“I’m paying lots of attention to you.” He kissed his wife’s neck before returning his gaze to the sketch pad, his chin once again resting on her shoulder. “What was that on the other page? The outfit you sketched.”
She flipped the page. “This?”
“Yeah. It’s sexy. Is it for you?”
“No. It’s for Tessa.”
He straightened up. “That’s too short. My daughter is not wearing that. Draw six more inches on that skirt.”
Jessi smiled. “It’s a plaid mini skirt for her to wear on stage. Don’t be such a prude.”
“Let me see.” Tessa reached for the sketch pad and Jessi handed it to her.
“Cute!” Tessa tried to show the sketch to Sindy, but Tommy pulled it out of her hand.
“My little girl is not wearing something that short,” he told her.
