Page 106 of True Abandon

His blond hair is brushed back and while he looks just as dapper as always, there is something slightly relaxed about his personality. It’s in the way the skin around his eyes are crinkled in, like he’s smiling on the inside out.

“Monogamy looks good on you,” I say and then cover my mouth. My eyes shoot up for his and I’m instantly apologizing for being so rude. “Oh, my God. That was awful of me. I’m so sorry. It’s just that you’re married. Which I never thought you would.” I smack myself on the head for saying the most inappropriate things.

He laughs. It’s loud and boisterous and comes from deep within his gut. I’ve never heard him laugh like that. It’s kinda weird.

“You always were a little odd. I see that hasn’t changed. You’re not as jittery though.” His comments on my obscurities relax me.

“I’d like to start that again.” I swish my hands in front me as if I’m physically wiping the slate clean. Then, I stand with my shoulder back and extend my hand. “Congratulations on your marriage. You seem very happy. I haven’t seen you since you took the plunge.”

His laugh is now lighter. He takes my extended hand and gives it a shake. “Thank you. I’m also a father now so if you want to pass out from shock, now’s the time.”

The doors open and I walk ahead of him toward his suite. I open it and give him the grand tour, showing him everything we’ve arranged per his assistant, even laying down the itinerary I’ve set. He doesn’t seem too impressed – having spent many years experiencing only the finer things life’s has to offer.

When I’m done, I stand near the door with my hands closed in front of my body. “Is there anything I can get for you before I head to the lobby?”

He takes off his jacket and starts unbuttoning his shirtsleeve. “Yes, actually. My wife is coming in tomorrow. She thinks she’s surprising me, but I’m a hard man to catch-off-guard.” He winks. “Arrange for a private lunch up here on the lanai in between events. Then book her a spa treatment. She deserves it.”

I can’t help but stare at him. For years, I watched him date countless women, use them, abuse them, hell, he even liked to bed the married ones. I know it’s not my place yet, for some reason, I open my mouth and ask, “What changed?”

He looks over at me, having rolled his sleeves up three quarters of the way. There’s an understanding in his gaze. He knows exactly what I’m asking.

“I met the right girl.” He places his hands on his hips and dips his head seeming to be laughing to himself. “You know, I used to look at married people and think they were pathetic. No, seriously, I envisioned them with chains around their ankles.” His laughing smiles turns almost nostalgic. “Someone once told me that when I meet the right woman, I’ll want to show her the real me. We each have so much to give but we won’t know until we meet the person worth giving it to. I thought that was bullshit advice and then one day,” he looks up and me and snaps his fingers. “All of a sudden I wanted to be the genuine me and give everything I had to this girl all because she looked up at me from a piano. It sounds crazy, but it’s exactly what happened.”

I look down at my feet to hide my grin. “I know exactly what you’re talking about.”

“And now I’m here running a recording studio, among many things, with the girl of my dreams.”

Like a light bulb going off in my head, my brain comes alive with a crazy idea. My mind getting a funny idea. “Black Dog Entertainment. Are you hands-on or more of a silent investor?”

He tilts a lip up. “It’s my pride and joy right now. I have my hands in a few other things,” he motions toward the hotel, which I know he has a stake in. “Black Dog is my life blood. Why do you ask?”

I wrap my fingers around my necklace and look around in excitement. I can’t believe I didn’t think of this before.

“Eric mentioned you’re looking for song writers,” I say and I wonder if he can see the gleam in my eye. “I think I have the perfect candidate for you.”

He raises a hand and while the other is still on his hip. “I know this sounds rude but I’m not looking for amateurs artists. This is a high profile production company—”

I interrupt him. “Have you heard the song Die a Happy Man?“

Asher’s golden eyes light up.

Yup, I am the queen of good ideas this week.

…

After leaving Asher’s suite, I walk over to the spa to arrange a day of beauty for his wife. I could call it in but the way my day is going I just need to keep moving my feet or else I’ll lose my momentum.

I make the arrangements with the front desk of the spa and help the girl at the counter move clients around so Asher’s wife gets the best the hotel has to offer. Fernando is available for a massage but I don’t know how comfortable Asher would be with another man touching his naked wife’s body. I switch Shannon’s appointment to ensure she’s free and give her client to Fernando.

I arrange for a facial, massage, manicure, pedicure and a hair appointment. While this is a day of beauty, the woman also has a tight schedule if she wants to escort her husband to tomorrow night’s concert so everyone needs to be prepared to get her into treatments and out in a timely manner.

I visit each staff member, personally, to let him or her know this is a VIP scenario. Everyone understands and no one gives me a hard time.

The last on my list is Shannon. Her schedule says she should have just wrapped up an appointment so I head to her massage room and give a knock. No one answers so I knock again and slowly open the door. The lights are set to dim and the chanting music is playing. I peak in and don’t see anyone on the bed. Opening the door further, I nearly fall on the floor as to why there is no one on the bed.

Instead of giving a massage, Shannon is up against a wall making out with…“Kevin?”

The two spread apart and slam against the adjoining walls in their attempt to separate as quickly as possible.