Page 63 of Bold Encounter
*****
Over the next three days, Abe barely left Genevieve's side.He monitored her symptoms with the tenderness of a man deeply in love.Every few hours, he checked her pupils, asked about headaches, and made sure she was drinking enough water.
"You know I'm not made of glass," Genevieve said on the second morning.
Abe had been watching her sleep from the chair beside his bed."I know," he said, then moved to sit on the edge of the bed."But I came so close to losing you.Humor me for a few more days."
She reached up to touch his face, marveling at the depth of emotion in his eyes."I love how much you care about me."
"I love you," he said simply."More than I thought it was possible to love anyone."
They talked for hours during those quiet days of recovery, sharing how the crisis had revealed the unshakeable foundation of their connection—and discussed the future.
One afternoon on the back patio, Genevieve said, "My career has gotten me in trouble more than once.It cost me husbands and bought me a dangerous stalker."She looked into his eyes."It's not too late for you to get out."
"I'm not going anywhere," Abe said, then pulled her onto his lap.
"I have to warn you that it doesn't usually work out," she said, with an ache in her heart.She put her arms around his neck.
"That has changed," Abe said."It's us now.I can tell you right now that not one of those guys loved or appreciated you like I do."
"You are different."Genevieve pulled him closer and kissed him tenderly."You don't seem to see my career as competition."
"Your music is part of who you are.It's beautiful because you're beautiful," Abe said."Always remember that."Then he dug his hands into her hair and gave her a long, sensual kiss.
*****
One afternoon, Genevieve met with her band and agent at Café Noir on Magazine Street.The familiar coffee shop felt like neutral territory for what she suspected would be a life-changing conversation.
Her agent, Bennett Hanson, arrived with a leather portfolio and appeared excited."Genevieve, I have incredible news.Pickford Recording wants to offer you that deal after all."
Cadie looked up from her latte with surprise."Really?After everything that happened?"
"They realized they'd been fed false information about Genevieve's reliability," Bennett said, opening the portfolio to reveal a contract."Jason's arrest made it clear that his claims were pure fabrication.They want to move forward immediately."
Genevieve stared at the papers that represented everything she'd thought she wanted.The deal that had seemed so important just weeks ago now felt like something from another lifetime.
"They're offering excellent terms," Bennett said."Covering full album production, tour support, and a marketing budget.This could boost your career to the national level."
Mickey leaned forward."That's amazing, Genevieve.This is what we've been working toward."
But as Genevieve looked around the table at her bandmates, she realized she was no longer the same person who had desperately wanted corporate validation.
Jason's campaign of terror had changed her, but not in the way he'd intended.Instead of breaking her down, it had shown her what she was truly capable of.
"I appreciate the offer," she said, then looked around the table at her friends."But I don't think that's the direction I want to go anymore."
Bennett's expression changed."What do you mean?"
"I mean I've learned something about myself these past few weeks," she said."I don't want to hand control of my career over to another person or organization.I've seen what can happen when someone else has power over my opportunities."
Genevieve wasn't finished."And I haven't forgotten how easily Stephen Canton believed lies about me.He didn't ask if the claims were true, or take the opportunity to verify them, before announcing that he was no longer interested in signing me.That's not the kind of person or company I want to work for."
Bennett offered no defense of the music executive's behavior.
Cadie put down her coffee cup."You're thinking about going independent?"
"I am."Genevieve felt more certain with each word."We have a strong fan base, our performances have been selling out, and honestly, I think we could do better on our own."
