Kim patted her shoulders.
Leona was tempted to contact Luke’s family members for more information, but her experience with her ex-boyfriend gave her pause. The media craziness had adversely affected the Sable family. And though she only sought information—it was a line she was unwilling to cross.
With her hair completed, Leona thanked Kim and headed home. In her walk-in closet, Leona chose her outfit while she listened to one of Luke’s interviews. He mentioned a fondness for animal crackers and she chuckled. “And not just any kind either.” She loved researching potential clients. Sometimes their quirks and preferences were predictable, other times quite unexpected.
Her phone rang. She picked up when she saw it was Abe.
“Leo? I’m on my way to the hotel. What’d you find out, darlin’?” he asked. Though from Scottish and Spanish stock, Abe had been born and raised in North Carolina. He used the touch of Southern twang in his voice to sweet-talk anyone into doing his bidding.
“He’s very into his fans. In fact, that’s why this guy is all over the place and not just in the States.” She put Abe on speaker and scrolled through some notes on her phone. “Yeah, Brazil, Australia, United Arab Emirates... Yikes. The list of worldwide appearances goes on for pages. What a treacherous schedule.”
“Hard worker. What else?”
“He’s passionate about his music and active on all social media outlets. We like passion.”
“We?”
“Wallace Entertainment,” Leona clarified. “People have nice things to say about him. But, Abe? There’s a bit of controversy around his last management. His ex-manager stole some astronomical amount of money from him and—”
“That’s an unfounded rumor. We need him, Leo.”
There’s that desperation again. “I get that you want him, but...”
“No, Leo. The company needs him.”
“The company? Okay, Abe. What’s really going on here?”
Abe was silent. “I’m in a cab, coming up on 14th Street. We’ll talk later. See you in a bit.”
“Abe...” she called to a dead line. Damn it. What the hell? She breathed deep.
She dressed in snug off-white leather bootleg pants and a fitted black shirt with capped sleeves. Sexy black lace accented the top of the shirt—from above her bust to her neck—and covered her back. It was the perfect day-to-night outfit, yet still professional. Too much time had passed since her life required such attire. The outfit felt foreign at first, until the old familiar part of her began to stir.
A sheer off-white shawl draped over her shoulders allowed the light material to pop off of her brown skin. Black peep-toe booties added four inches to her five-foot-four frame. She quickly evaluated her image in the mirror and extended her arm to the reflection, as if offering a handshake to see how her outfit moved. She hadn’t done that in years. You’re nervous. She wiggled her shoulders. Shake it off. This is old hat, Leo.
She didn’t know what situation awaited her at the Metro Hotel but she was as ready as she’d ever be.
In Tune by JN Welsh