Love Notes ((Book Two of the Heartbeat Series))

by Renee Lee Fisher

  Chapter Eleven – Taste of The Big Apple

  The best way to avoid any unpleasant circumstance is diversion and that is exactly what Cecile had planned. I was so caught up in the remodeling and getting better that I let the calendar creep up on me. We had a weekend date in New York for a meet and greet with the editor and publisher of Rock Notes and to possibly engage them in anther book to be written. There were also several writing workshops taking place so she signed us up for one later during our first day. The topic was writing romance. She had booked us in Manhattan and we had picked out a few places to hit for dinner and shopping. I wasn’t sure I wanted to leave Rand so soon after he returned from his travels but it was just a few days. Plus, he said he needed a little time to finish some music he was working on. Since Kent was living here now, he could help him play it out.

  Cecile arrived in a very upbeat mood. She honked several times. I don’t know why because I am usually a very timely person and I was ready. She did wake Kent up and the horn sounds brought him strutting over for a round of kisses before we drove off. Rand was sleeping soundly this morning and I didn’t want to disturb him. I had taken care of my man last night and it put him into a mood of sweet satisfaction and off he went to dreamland. I left a note on the kitchen counter and would call him as soon as we got there. So, off we went to The Big Apple. I have only been there for day trips, never staying. I wondered if the noise of the city would keep me up as here at our home there is such a quiet peaceful atmosphere and the only noise is the music that fills the air when the band and Rand practice. That could never be considered noise. It is just awesome collaboration on all their parts.

  “Cecile, I need to ask you this. What the hell is going on with you and Kent and Connor?”

  “Madison, I can’t do this. I feel so pulled apart. I like Kent so much! He is a sweetheart and I enjoy every moment with him, but I truly loved Cabe. I don’t think Cabe and I can be together again, and I don’t want to hurt Kent.”

  “Oh girl, this is so screwed up! Cecile, I want to tell you to follow your heart but I can see that is all scattered right now.” I tried to focus on just being there for her. I hoped our weekend would make her put things in perspective.

  Midway through our drive my phone sounded and a very groggy Rand spoke, “Love, I never heard you leave. I was in a dead sleep. Kent had to call the house to wake me since I never answered the front door.”

  “Sorry I wanted you to rest, but I hope you guys get some music created this weekend. I’m looking forward to being in New York, I haven’t been here in a long time,” I was sounding excited.

  “Well, I hope you bring back that pleasure that I hear in your voice in a few days. Madison, I miss you already.”

  “I missed you before I left the house…but right now Cecile is going through some uncertainty with Kent and Connor and I don’t want to go on about it with you but I think she really needs a woman to listen.” I glanced at Cecile and saw her holding the steering wheel tighter. She looked at me and nodded and I knew she was not in control of her life right now.

  We hung up after I heard Kent yelling to Rand on the phone, “If that’s Madison, tell her to tell Cecile to have a good time, and I miss my cutie pie darling.” I had put the phone on speaker and Cecile smiled and then a tear escaped her eye as she focused on the road ahead.

  When we got to the city, I wanted to have a taste of what I remembered from other trips here. First, we had an easy hotel check in and I was sticker shocked at the price of parking your vehicle even though you were staying at the hotel. It was not included. We were in walking distance of practically every place you could want to go. As we unpacked and settled, we ordered some lunch from room service to hold us over because after the romance workshop we were heading to the publisher’s office. I had taken the liberty of making us a late dinner reservation at one restaurant I loved. It is called Becca and it is located on restaurant row, where the buildings on the entire street are bistro type eateries. Thomas and I came to this restaurant often when we were married. This wasn’t an unpleasant memory for me because the homemade pastas were so good.

  “Madison, do you think I will ever have what you and Rand have together?”

  “Cecile you can have it all. I know that you will make a decision eventually. Your heart is so big and you don’t want either guy hurt.”

  “Madison, when I saw Cabe at your house, I nearly died. I thought my heart stopped. And then it pained so bad from the hurt he caused me. I had to get away from him.”

  “Cecile, he has called me and asked how you are. He is keeping himself away so he doesn’t hurt you, but I think you should talk to him and see what’s there between you both and if you need to walk away after that then you will at least have some closure.”

  “But Madison, I still love him.”

  I took her hand into mine and held onto it. My heart hurt for her as only she could figure this out and who she wanted to be with. Cecile I knew driven and even as she was torn with her men, she seemed to have tucked it away for now and picked up the pace to why we were both here in New York.

  Our workshop we attended went well and it reaffirmed that my next writing project would be a romance novel. I had been thinking about a storyline for quite some time. I even had it outlined before taking on Rock Notes, but at that time a romance was not what my mind wanted to explore in the wake of my divorce. Those wounds were still open and I couldn’t bring myself to dive into love. But now, I am in love and want to write all about it.

  I mentioned it to Cecile. I even brought a long synopsis to show the editor and publisher along with some sample chapters and a cover design. It was titled Mask of Rade. As we sat in the office of the publisher and editor they gave me rave reviews on the progress of Rock Notes. Cecile was in such high spirits. But then, the room got silent as they looked over the sheets that I prepared for the romance novel. I felt tense. It seemed like time stood still as I waited for their response. I had hoped they would consider the storyline. They each got up and walked to Cecile and whispered into her ear and patted her on her back. She was pleased. I knew they liked it, but what they then announced is that they loved it and Cecile was representing a gem of a writer. I was floored. I guess I now knew that I would be quite busy for the months ahead to get this storyline completed and I would welcome being able to do the work I so love.

  I was so thankful for that one chance moment when I met Cecile while having coffee. She has helped me realize a level of success with my writing that I could only dream about. She is petite but a business powerhouse. By the time we left their offices, she told them she would review with me their submitted proposal for a signed deal in the next few days. I sent Rand a text in case he was practicing.

  You are not going to believe this! The publisher wants to offer me a deal to write my book, Mask of Rade that Contemporary Romance I told you about. I wish you were here to celebrate this news. But chill a bottle and I will celebrate with you when I get home. I love you. I hope you are getting your creative music juices flowing too.

  Seconds passed and a message hit my phone.

  I didn’t want to bother you Madison as I know you need this time up there, I am so happy for you but know that you are so talented and all this will keep coming to you. I will be waiting in our bed with a chilled bottle of champagne when you tell me you are close to home.

  I didn’t want to keep texting him in front of Cecile and make her relationship dilemma seem any worse, so I suggested that we move along for a celebratory dinner at Becca. First we had to return to our hotel to freshen up. We gained a few whistles on the street as we later walked in our high heel black boots and our little black dresses to hail the cab to take us to dinner. Cecile was packed pretty snug in her black dress and her chest was very perky. Sometimes I don’t think she knows just how adorable she is. I had gained a lot of confidence in my appearance this past year and was branching out into different styles of clothes. Tonight I wore a black halter dress but definitely need
ed a jacket even though we were going from the hotel door to the cab and then right to the restaurant. It was cold out.

  As soon as we entered the restaurant the chill was gone and the warmth of the atmosphere and aroma of food took over. We had a great table and the waitress was so kind. Our meal was just as I remembered it here, wonderful. When the waitress returned with the check, she asked, “Are you the author Madison Tierney?” I looked confused but nodded that I was. “Well, your check has already been settled,” she told us. I thought perhaps the publisher did this as we mentioned we were finishing up the night having dinner here, but then the waitress pointed to the table on the other side of the brick wall. There sat Thomas and Connor.

  Cecile had her back to them as they both walked toward our table. I wasn’t quite sure what words were going to fly out of my mouth. I counted in my head to calm myself. Why on earth would they be here?

  “Hello ladies,” Thomas spoke. Cecile snapped her head around.

  I started the conversation, “Thank you for dinner but please do tell me why you are both here?”

  Thomas spoke, “Well, Madison you always know that I have your best interest in mind and this time, I just wanted to help my man Connor here with seeing his girl Cecile for a moment away from the band guy.”

  “I am not his girl!” Cecile barked. Connor already took the liberty of pulling a chair from an empty reset table next to her.

  “Thomas this is not cool. I can’t believe you would do this!” I told him as he too thought he could just join me, join us. So here we sat and didn’t talk for a long time to either of them. Then they suggested that we all be grown ups and enjoy being in New York. Thomas had heard mention of this from Connor when I told him weeks back that she and I were heading here but Connor didn’t know then that Cecile was his old love.

  I suddenly got up and announced, “I need a drink.”

  With that Cecile said “Me too!” We walked out on the street and the guys followed us only to wave a limo they had waiting to take us wherever with them.

  Thomas suggested, “Come on girls. Let’s all just have a friendly drink.”

  Thomas was trying to win us over, but it was when Connor took Cecile’s hand lightly into his and said, “Avery, please just so I can be near you for a little while.” I melted with her.

  His words ripped through me. She looked to me for help and I said, “Okay, just a drink.” Cecile smiled. I knew she wanted to see him and talk to him as much as she tried not to. I felt so conflicted. I wanted Cecile and Connor to talk to gain closure, but I didn’t want to have to hang with Thomas. And I felt sorry this was playing out behind Kent’s back. And that Rand didn’t know Thomas was in New York with us. It was all beginning to become a mess or a secret that someone would leak one day in conversation.

  We took their gracious but totally planned limo ride around the city viewing the night scenery. The vehicle was very large and comfortable inside. I was seated quite a distance from Thomas but Connor was right up next to Cecile. He hadn’t let go of her hand from the moment he helped her into the limo. I remember hearing the pop of the champagne. I remember taking a glass and nursing it for a long time. Cecile and Connor were definitely engaged in a low voice conversation.

  Thomas said, “Cheers to you Madison. Connor told me this trip was for you to meet your publisher and editor. I am so proud of you.” That was really nice coming from him, don’t get me wrong he is not a bad person, just he doesn’t hold a single flame to the man I am going to marry. I was sure that Rand would be flipping out if he knew I was in the limo with Thomas even as innocent as it really was. I also thought of Kent and he would be pissed off. First, he had no clue of everything going on around him, and he thought Connor was his good friend.

  The limo pulled up to our hotel. We decided to have one drink at the bar with them and head to sleep. They were heading out early. Thomas tipped the limo driver nicely and placed his hand gently in the center of my back as we walked into the main lobby of the hotel to the bar area. Once seated, I started to yawn. It really was a long day for me and I wanted to head up to sleep. Thomas ordered a round of drinks. As we sat there I felt awkward in the entire scenario. A few times Thomas reached over to lightly touch his fingers along my hand. I pulled my hand back quickly. At one point Thomas leaned in to me and said, “Madison don’t you feel it? We still have this chemistry between us.”

  “No, Thomas I don’t feel anything but exhausted.” With that, I downed my drink, and I whispered to Cecile to stay with Connor and figure this all out. I stood up, “Thank you, Thomas for the drink. Take care, I am heading to bed.” I knew it wasn’t that easy, but I had hoped.

  Thomas jumped up and leaned in to whisper into my ear, “Are you sure you want to head to your room alone?” I had to laugh. After all this time he still didn’t get it or he did and he would never stop trying.

  “Thomas I am more than sure. Goodnight.” As I slid my key card into our hotel room I noticed immediately a large vase of roses. The card read –

  Love, I wish I was with you as you got such great news. Another story to be published! I am so proud of you and I love you more every moment of every day.

  I hit the fluffy hotel pillow and sent a quick text to Rand.

  The flowers are beautiful, you are wonderful, and I am so entirely lucky…to have you. xo

  At first I stirred in my sheets so I decided to pass the time and write out a love note on my notepad to Rand. I finally drifted off and I must have slept very soundly as I never heard when Cecile made it back in to our room. As I sat up with the sun shining through the large windows to see that her hotel bed was still completely made and that nothing showed me that she ever returned. There was no scattered clothing or shoes, she had never come back. I typed out a text to her, but before I could send it the door beeped open from her key card access. I could tell she had been crying. Her eyes were red and her makeup smeared.

  “Cecile, are you okay? What happened?” I knew Connor would never hurt her but she looked destroyed.

  “We stayed up all night. I don’t want to talk about it. I can’t even think straight. I need time away from him to figure this all out,” she said as she climbed in my bed and hugged me so tightly. I rocked her back and forth and then she lay down and I covered her. As she slept, I wondered how this was going to play out. I really should be writing their love story not the one the publisher liked.

  When Cecile finally did wake up midday there was one place that I wanted to take her that I knew would certainly make her smile and forget her aching heart for awhile. We got a cab and when we pulled up in front of a tiny place that had a bench out front and looked packed with too many people she still was not sure where we were. There was a small waiting line standing to get inside. We had arrived at the famous Serendipity. If ever in New York, a must is their frozen hot chocolate. Our wait to get in went quickly and after several sips of pure sweetness, Cecile seemed to be back to her old self.

  We had a nice lunch there and then hit a few shops before heading back. I wanted to buy Rand some books to write his music in for the holidays and there was a great music store that had many. I also found a vintage store that had great clothing selections and I found a lovely short, sleeveless crème turtleneck dress that was done in a spectacular shimmering fabric that made it look like a modern day wedding dress. It caught my eye as we walked past the store and once I slipped into it and it fit like a second skin, it was Cecile’s response that sold me.

  “Madison that looks awesome on you! That’s the perfect wedding dress. So appropriate for marrying a singer.” I had to get it and before I left the store I made an additional purchase as there were these high leather boots that completed the look that were calling out my name to buy them.

  Chapter Twelve – Save the Date

  Sometimes the best plans are those you throw together in an instant. I heard my phone ring and when I saw who was calling I paused and took a deep breath before answering. Thomas had not contacted me at all
since we ran into him and Connor in New York that weekend. I had heard of a few things he was doing through my friendship with Connor. He mentioned that Thomas had started to date another younger girl at their office. Rand and I received a holiday card from him and I was happy that he was moving on with his life. I never did mention to Rand that Thomas and Connor were in New York. I didn’t exactly lie to him, I just didn’t want to give him that news as it would surely upset him and nothing happened at least where Thomas and I were concerned. As for Cecile and Connor, I was not quite sure where all those hours together took them. I know they talked and I know she was still a virgin but she was gone for about nine hours, which is a long, long time to be with the love of your life. I meant to press her on what they talked about but since she didn’t offer, I just let it lay for now.

  As I think back, the holidays were a blur. Rand and I had kept the holiday season low key this year. He still did a party for the band and staff before Christmas but we had gone through two near misses with me and my head and he wanted a quiet holiday for us to share in the gift of one another. We did invite my mother and uncle and Maxwell over for a Christmas day brunch, but other than seeing them, we spent most of the day after they left unwrapping each other like presents.

  “Hello Thomas, I’m surprised you’re calling. Is everything alright?”

  “Yeah Maddy, I was just hanging here at the condo and thinking and wanted reach out and see how you are and if your holidays were good.”

  I was remembering that our New Years Eve that just passed was a repeat celebration of Rand and me and we recreated the very first time he made love to me, again and again. I had forgotten the conversation Thomas and I were having. I kept letting my thoughts go to the holidays again and this year Rand passed on throwing a huge party. Instead, he lined the stairway and hallway toward our bed with a path of rose petals. There were so many, the floor was completely covered. He had bought me a short, shimmering red halter dress that hung on the doorjamb of the closet as I walked into the foyer of our home. It had a note attached that read: