Page 33 of Chronicles of a Rockin' Mess

“Lark?” I call out into the empty room. The curtains are closed but I can still see the sun peeking out from behind them. I grab my phone and see that it’s a little after eight in the morning. I stretch and go to look for Lark. She’s nowhere to be found.

I’m about to go wandering the hotel in search of her, when I hear the door click open. I pop my head out of the bathroom and find Lark holding two cups of steaming hot coffee.

“Good morning,” she says to me as she hands me one of the cups.

“Morning,” I reply as I take a sip of the coffee.

“We are all packed. So, we can leave whenever you are ready,” she says to me in a very businesslike manner. She pushes past me and starts straightening up the sofa.

“Lark, stop. Housekeeping will take care of that,” I say to her. She’s acting so…so, professional; it’s unsettling. She freezes and turns around; her face is pink.

“I’m sorry that I fell asleep on you,” she mutters.

“Really?” I say to her as I roll my eyes. “Lark, we’ve known each other for how long?”

“A few years now,” she says in a low voice.

“Yes, and would you say we are friends?”

She shrugs, and I frown. Then the image of her face the day she left pops into my mind.

“Sit,” I command, motioning to the sofa.

Her eyes widen slightly but she complies. I sit down next to her and place my coffee on the side table. I turn and gaze into her eyes.

“Little birdie, I haven’t apologized, and I should,” I start. She opens her mouth to speak, but I place a finger over her lips. “Please, let me finish.”

She shuts her mouth, and I continue, “You deserved better than how I treated you. I admit, I was an ass. I took you for granted. And then…well, I was an ass. I can’t take back what I did. There’s no excuse for it, but I do want you to know that of all my fuckups, I most regret that one. I mean, I seriously, do, Gretchen turned out to be a stage-five clinger. Anyhoo, I’m sorry. You were my friend, not just my PA. You are a damn fine PA too, don’t get me wrong. And I’m glad that the guys talked you into coming back to help. I was truly lost without you. But I’d be lying if I said I didn’t miss you as my friend. And I know I don’t deserve it, but I’m really, really hoping you’ll give me a second chance.”

I pause and study her face as she processes what I’ve just said. I don’t notice that I’m holding my breath until she begins speaking, and I finally exhale.

“Thank you,” she replies. I start to speak, but this time she places her finger on my lips. It takes every ounce of strength I have to not kiss it.

“I’d be lying if I said I didn’t miss being your friend,” she admits. “And no, being your PA is not a fun job, well, most of the time it’s not fun. Yes, you were an ass, but I’m glad you at least recognize that now.” She pauses and searches my eyes.

“I’ll give you one last chance to redeem yourself. You hurt me, Lincoln, a lot. I thought we were friends, and then you…well, you didn’t act like a very good friend, or boss for that matter. I spent the last eighteen months changing my whole life. And I’m stronger now. I won’t put up with your shit. Kade and Harry have been warned, and now you are too,” she says.

“So, is that a yes, we can be friends?” I ask her.

“Let’s call it a truce with potential,” she responds. I grin and a moment later I can see the corners of her mouth twitch as she fights a smile. I give her my best puppy dog eyes, and she laughs.

“You are such a manipulator,” she scolds as she throws a pillow at me.

I shrug. “But it works,” I say with a wink.

She shakes her head. “Is this little therapy session over?”

“I guess so.”

“Good, let’s get back home,” she says as she calls the front desk.

Chapter 17

“You ready?” Lark asks as we load up the car to head out for the first tour date. We’re meeting Kade, Harry, and our entourage at the airport. Since it’s only six concerts, and the last is here, we are flying instead of taking a bus.

“I think so?” I respond, unsure because I always feel like I’m forgetting something when we leave for tour.

Lark huffs. “Lincoln, either you are, or you aren’t?”

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