Page 19 of Believing in You

“You know what? Fine!” their mother snapped and mock pouted. “You don’t have to make up lies just to get out of going on a blind date. I’ll just get used to the fact that I might never have more grandkids.”

Nyla rolled her eyes and caught her siblings doing the same as their mother went on and on. They’d heard the speech amillion times, could probably recite it word-for-word while also adding the defeated expressions she was making.

Dorian was right. It did seem like their mother was on them even more than usual about settling down and having a family. It probably had a lot to do with Nyla’s nephew being seventeen and preparing to go to college in the fall.

Her oldest sister, Essence, had been a teen mom, giving their parents their one and only grandchild. So far, it didn’t seem like any of the others were interested in adding to that number.

After hanging out a little while longer at the B & B, Nyla headed to the club. Mentioning Harrison earlier to her family, without actually giving them a name, had her thinking about him. Something she’d been doing a lot of despite trying not to.

She hadn’t seen him, but she hoped that maybe he’d stop by Moody Days sometime in the near future.

A girl could hope.

Chapter Ten

This day can’t get any worse.

Since leaving her parents’ place, Nyla had one issue after another pop up at the club, but this one was the worst.

She propped her elbows on the small oak desk and buried her face in her hands. Her head was pounding despite taking ibuprofen, and at the rate the night was going, it wouldn’t be letting up anytime soon.

The only highlight of the day was that it was Friday night, and she had the next two days off. It had been awhile since she’d had the weekend off, and it wasn’t a moment too soon. Anything that could’ve gone wrong today had, and it started when one of her crowns fell off her tooth. Thankfully, she’d found it stuck in a piece of taffy that she’d been enjoying.

No more sticky candy for her. Not only did she have to go in for an emergency appointment at the dentist. She’d also had to dig into her savings to pay for it. Which was the last thing she’d wanted to do.

Now she just found out the trio that she had booked for tonight’s performance cancelled. It wouldn’t be a big deal if it weren’t for the fact that they were a popular, local group withdiehard fans and a huge following. They drew a large crowd wherever they performed, and she was counting on the club being packed tonight.

Sighing heavily, she mentally searched her mind. Where was she going to get another group on such short notice?

“I take it that they canceled.”

Dropping her hands, Nyla sat back in her desk chair and glanced across the tiny room. Jamie was leaning against the doorjamb with his arms folded across his chest. He’d been the one to transfer the call to her a few minutes ago.

“Yep, they did. The club is going to be packed with their fans, and I’m going to have to tell them they aren’t coming. Worse than that, they were the only performers for tonight.”

Some Friday nights, they had a lineup that included as many as three performers, but tonight, she hadn’t needed to book anyone else. The leader of the trio had assured her that they could perform three hours with a twenty-minute break in between.

I should have booked an additional group.

“What the heck am I going to do? I know I can’t perform all three hours,” she said and glanced at the closet door where she had a pants suit hanging.

Since she’d been expecting a large crowd tonight, she’d planned to dress up a little. It looked like she might have to perform, which was something she did on occasion when there was no one else available. Nyla just hoped she didn’t get booed off the stage since the customers were expecting a band.

“And even if I could do the whole set, I don’t have time to go home and get something more appropriate to wear.”

She always carried an extra change of clothes with her. Usually, casual or workout attire. She hadn’t brought anything jazzy enough to be on stage.

Nyla pouted and laid her forehead on the desk. “What am I going to do?” she whined.

“I have an idea. Let me make a call. In the meantime, get dressed. If my plan works, you might still have to perform the first hour, but at least you won’t have to do all three.”

Nyla lifted her head and frowned. “What’s your idea?” she asked skeptically.

Jamie was an advertising agent by day. Maybe one of his clients was in the entertainment industry. But even if she was willing to pay someone, performing for two hours was a lot to ask, especially at the last minute.

“Even if you found someone else, we still have a problem. I can’t perform in that stuffy-looking suit,” she said.

Jamie waved her off as he headed for the door. “Just wear the jacket and the pants. Leave off the shirt. Then you’ll be fine.”

---