Page 4 of The Ballad of Us
His thumb brushes across my pulse point, probably feeling how fast my heart is beating. "We need a real person, Rhea. Someone who isn't here for the wrong reasons." His eyes search mine. "I can't promise it'll be easy. This life, especially in this industry, is messy, chaotic, and ugly. It may be different from what you’re currently doing, but that may not be such a bad thing." He’s quiet for a long moment, entrancing me with his quiet, companionable silence.
It’s hard to believe I’m sitting beside Gray Garrison like it’s just any old day at the office. I don’t have to wonder what he’s thinking for long.
“Still not convinced?” he asks, lifting a brow and nudging his shoulder into mine.
Before I can respond, Diana bursts back through the door with her clipboard and a triumphant smile. "Ready to sign some papers?" Her bright tone is too chipper, and the reality of who I’ve been sitting here with for ten minutes slams into me. She just interrupted what might have been the most intense conversation of my life.
Gray releases my wrist and stands, but his eyes never leave mine. "Have dinner with me?”
I choke on my own spit, certain I’ve heard him wrong. “I’m sorry?”
“Food. I may even buy you dessert, if you’re good,” he teases as a grin spreads across his face.
Words elude me for a beat before my brain begins to function properly once more. “With you?” I don’t mean it the way it sounds.
“Ouch.” He rubs his chest, but the grin hasn’t faded yet. “I can invite the band, too, if you want. They’ll make a preacher cuss, though, so if that’s not your kind of night, then yes, it would be dinner with me.”
Is Gray Garrison asking me to dinner? Like in real life?
“Yes!” Diana exclaims on my behalf. “She’ll go to dinner with you.” She turns to me. “Now, could you please sign these papers so we can ensure Case in Point has an assistant?”
Gray extends his hand toward Diana. “Can I have those?”
Diana defensively holds her clipboard to her chest as if she’s guarding it with her life. “Um, no.”
“Why not?” Gray asks, and instead of growing irate or impatient, he’s cool, calm, and collected.
Diana’s eyes dart back and forth as she searches for the answer. Maybe, she can’t properly form sentences around him either. “I don’t know, but it feels like it’s my job to get her to sign.”
“Case in Point needs a tour assistant,” he reminds her.
“Right,” she replies.
“I’m going to take Rhea to dinner tonight and talk her into signing those papers… you know, so Case in Point can have a tour assistant.”
“Okay.” Diana deflates, hesitates, but finally removes the clipboard from the death lock against her chest, handing over the papers to Gray.
“Thank you,” he says kindly, accepting the thick stack of papers intended for me. “I hope you have a nice evening, Diana. It’s great seeing you again.”
“You’re welcome. But, Gray, don’t run her off before she signs.” Diana worries her bottom lip like she might’ve said too much.
Gray salutes her in good humor. “I’ll be a perfect gentleman.” Then he offers me the crook of his elbow.
My gaze darts between Gray and Diana, silently asking if this is really happening to me. They look back at me with expectant expressions. I suppose when Gray Garrison asks you to dinner, you just say yes and worry about being able to function in his presence once you arrive.
I do just that by accepting his arm, letting him walk me out of Requiem Records, and allowing him to guide me to a waiting SUV. My synapses forget how to fire again once we’re tucked inside the vehicle. Gray tries to engage me in conversation, but it falls flat every time. He doesn’t seem to be bothered either way.
Our drive to a local barbeque joint only takes fifteen minutes before Gray slides out and crosses the vehicle to open my door. Ever the gentleman he’s promised to be, he proffers his hand to help me maneuver exiting the SUV.
“I’m starving,” he says as we turn toward the restaurant entrance. “Smells great.”
“Ever been here?”
“No, I don’t venture to this side of town much. Is it good?”
I smile at my luck. Gray chose one of the best restaurants in Nashville. “You’ll probably have to be rolled out of here.”
A small, deep, but genuine laugh escapes him. “That’s quite the picture you’ve painted.”
