Page 38 of Bold Encounter
The applause was enthusiastic and sustained, and the band took a final bow.Genevieve felt the satisfaction that came from a job well done, the high that performing gave her.She waved to the crowd, thanked her band members, and began gathering her things from the stage.
But as the adrenaline faded and she made her way toward the backstage area, she was worried.Jason's absence should have been a relief, but the calm felt like the eye of a hurricane.
While she was packing her microphone case, Abe appeared."Great show," he said, but she could see the same wariness in his eyes that she felt.
"He wasn't here," Genevieve said.
Abe frowned."I kept looking for him too."
Genevieve had performed beautifully.Her band had been flawless, and the audience had loved every minute.It should have been a perfect evening.
Instead, she wondered what Jason was planning while she was on stage, and that thought chilled her more than his physical presence ever had.
Chapter 9
Envie Espresso Bar was only steps from the French Market.On Saturday morning, Genevieve chatted with Cadie over coffee, with a promise to shop at the market afterward.
The cozy breakfast spot with its exposed brick walls and the rich aroma of chicory coffee was distinctly New Orleans.The morning sun streamed through the windows, and Genevieve took a corner table with her friend.
"How are you doing?"Cadie said, studying her friend's face.She tended to be perceptive, so it was useless to try to hide anything.
Genevieve wrapped her hands around her coffee mug, savoring the warmth."Last night went well.No Jason lurking in the shadows, no drama.Just music."
"But that's not the only reason you seem different," Cadie said, smiling."I think it has everything to do with a certain detective."
Genevieve put her coffee mug on the table."Is it that obvious?"
"Absolutely…to someone who's known you since we were both struggling musicians playing dive bars for tips."Cadie leaned forward."So, tell me everything…and I meaneverything."
Genevieve told Cadie about the hiking trip, about Abe cooking for her, about the way he listened to her music and understood what it meant to her.She shared how different he was from every other man she'd dated.
"After hearing my performance for the first time, he bought my recordings," she said, still amazed by the gesture."Not because I asked him to, but because he admired my music.I didn't even know him then."
"I'm impressed," Cadie said."He is into music.You have that in common."
"Exactly."Genevieve took a sip of her café au lait."With Maurice, then with both my ex-husbands, there was always a sort of chasm between us.Looking back, I don't know how I ever thought it was going to work."
"What has Abe said about your career?"
"He makes me feel like my music matters, likeImatter."Genevieve paused, trying to find the right words."When I'm with him, I don't have to choose between being a woman in love and being an artist."
Cadie reached across the table and squeezed her hand."That's rare, you know.Really rare.Most people don't understand what it takes to live for their art."
"What about you?"Genevieve asked."Any prospects on the horizon?"
Cadie shrugged."I'm still looking for my Abe Stewart.Someone who won't try to talk me out of late-night gigs or weekend recording sessions."She grinned."But enough about my tumultuous love life.How are you handling everything else?How are you doing with the Jason situation?"
Genevieve took a breath."I'll catch you up on that."She proceeded to tell Cadie about recent events, watching her friend's expression.
"Unreal," Cadie said."What is that guy's story?"
"Abe thinks Jason has been planning this for years," Genevieve said."He's been building up his resources and developing connections so he could come back in a position of power."
"That's terrifying."
"What scares me is that he doesn't seem to have any boundaries.He's crossed into personal territory, invaded my privacy."
"Totally," Cadie said."Going to see Brooke?That's unbelievable."
