It was definitely a lapdance, the tiny voice in my head argued but I ignored it, stood and walked over to grab my clutch that laid on the dresser.
“Whatever you say,” Alessia held up her hand in surrender. “So tell me why you’re going on a date with him tonight?”
“It’s not a date. It’s dinner with a potential new artist Nathan wants to sign to the label.” I explained, but of course, Alessia already knew this. She just liked to mess with me.
“So why are you wearing your I want to get laid dress?” Her hazel eyes looked down at my dress pointedly.
I wore my favorite red mini dress with the plunging neckline. It was long enough to pass for a formal dinner, but highlighted my curves enough to be sexy as well. This was also the dress I wore the night I had my blind date with Rhett Finley and the same night I ran into Nathan.
Did I wear it because I remember him saying that this dress wouldn’t make it out the door?
Maybe. (absolutely).
“I have no idea what you’re talking about.” I fought the urge to grin just as there was a knock at the door. “That’s him. How do I look?”
“Gorgeous.”
“Thank you.” I blew a kiss at the screen and wished her a goodnight before I shut my laptop down and headed for the door.
My heart thumped in unison with every step that I took until I reached the door, only for it to beat frantically all over again the second I opened the door and saw Nathan on the other side. He looked devastatingly handsome in a crisp white shirt, navy pants, and brown loafers. His eyes lit up only to darken a second later as he stared at me.
“Hi.” I hope he didn’t notice how breathless I sounded.
“Hi.”
A shiver of excitement ran down my spine at his heated gaze.
“I’m sorry if I kept you waiting.”
“It was worth the wait,” Nathan said, making an embarrassing heat skirt across my skin.
“Let’s get you an artist,” I replied as I stepped out of the room.
On the way to Bayrose, the American cuisine restaurant that was chosen for the night, Nathan and I went over his pitch for Darryl; Darryl is a young black man who became the head of his household after losing his parents in a car accident, leaving him to care for his younger brother and sister.
I reached out after I saw the video and I learned that he works at a local restaurant, doing what he can to keep everything together. One night, while he was singing as he cleaned the tables, a customer recorded him and posted it online.
The video gained a lot of attention, which led him to start posting more frequently and eventually, it landed him on my radar.
I didn’t make him any promises. I just told him I’d pass his name along if I was ever given the opportunity, which is what brought us here today.
“I know how to convince an artist to sign with me,” Nathan said when I was done.
“I’m not saying that you don’t. I’m saying, you might need to approach Darryl differently than you have with other artists in the past.” I argued. “It’s not going to be about the fame and money for Darryl. It’s more than that.”
“What are you saying?”
“Be relatable,” I told him just as the car came to a stop. The driver rounded the car and opened the back door allowing Nathan to climb out first than me. I silently walked next to Nathan as we entered the restaurant together. The room was brightly lit, the latest pop song played at a low enough volumewhere the customers could hear it but it did not overshadow the conversations happening. The place was packed and I’d be worried about finding a place to sit had it not been for the fact that I called and made reservations ahead of time.
I scanned the room until I saw a familiar face. Darryl smiled when he spotted me and I waved before leading Nathan over to the table.
“Darryl,” Nathan held out his hand for a handshake. “It’s nice to finally meet you.”
“It's an honor to meet you Mr. Edge.” Darryl said, shaking Nathan’s hands.
“Call me Nathan,” Nathan replied before motioning to me. “I believe you know Elise, my assistant.”
“Hi Darryl.” I held out my hand for a handshake, which he kindly returned.
