Stringing Me Along (Peach Logic Book 1)

by Savanna Grey

  “Thanks, Jess. It’s kind-of been like playing dress-up for me. I basically had to buy a new wardrobe- or at least the start to one. This crap is expensive.” Her laughter lit up her face.

  “You seem happy. Are you happy?” Jess hesitated to ask.

  Lacey fumbled with the tablecloth. “Happy? I wouldn’t say that. I’d say I’m focused on learning and enjoying the challenge. Happy will come later. I’m okay with that right now. I have to be, don’t I?”

  “How is the new assistant doing? I hear she came highly recommended.” Lacey couldn’t resist asking.

  “She’s not you, but I think she’ll be okay. She’s completely unimpressed by all the trappings of the environment. It’s strictly a job to her. I think that is good for us. Keeps us in line like you did.”

  A sigh of relief escaped Lacey. “I really am glad to hear that. The hardest thing I’ve ever done was leaving you guys. I…it was the best thing for everyone involved. Now enough about the past. I can’t wait to see your concert this weekend.”

  “You’ll be there?” Jesse’s wide eyes elicited a laugh from Lacey.

  “Of course, I will be. I wouldn’t miss it. I probably won’t have another opportunity, and your right here in town. It will be fun to be a fan and enjoy the music this time around. Do you have new music you will be playing?”

  “Yes. I’m so in love with it. Wait ‘til you hear it. It’s full of heart and soul.” Jesse’s excitement was contagious.

  Lacey leaned over and held up her glass. “Here’s to another successful show. Rock the house, girl.” The clink of their glasses sloshed the bubbly liquid.

  “Come on. I’ll walk back to the office with you.” The office was just around the corner from the restaurant.

  They rode the elevator up to the third floor where Lacey’s office was located.

  “Come on. I’ll show you my new home away from home.” The elevator doors opened and they were greeted by the receptionist.

  “Good afternoon, Ms. Swanson.”

  “Hello, Dawn. I told you to call me Lacey.” She grinned at the girl behind the large desk as she swatted her away.

  “I’m still trying to get used to all of this…professionalism. You know, this side is much different than being out on the road.” She passed by three offices and turned into the fourth door on the right. “Well, this is it.” She ushered Jesse in to her office.

  “I see you’ve already added the Lacey touch. Flowers were on the small conference table. Photos of her and the band were on the hanging bookshelves. “It’s very nice, Lace.”

  “Thanks, Jess.”

  “I need to scoot upstairs. They boys are supposed to be laying down some tracks. Can’t leave them unsupervised for long.”

  They hugged good-bye and promised to talk soon.

  Lacey was standing in the hallway with her back turned to the front floor entrance talking with a new client.

  “Excuse me, have you seen Jesse Alston? I was told she was down here.”

  Slowly, Lacey turned around to the all-to-familiar sound of Dalton’s voice.

  “Hello, Dalton.” She forced herself to remain calm.

  Dalton’s eyes widened and his posture visibly stiffened.

  “Lacey, I…I didn’t expect to see you. I didn’t even recognize you. How, uh, are you?” he was uncomfortably polite.

  “I’m not quite certain how to take that, so I’ll assume it was an off-handed compliment, at least I hope it was. I’m good, Dalton. I hope you are as well.” Lacey turned to the man she had been talking too. “Dalton, this is Chance Mason, one of our clients. Chance, Dalton Gentry.”

  The guys shook hands. “Man, I love your music. You guys are great.” Chance already knew who Dalton was. Not surprising being in the industry himself, even if he was a newbie.

  “Thanks. Appreciate that. Think I heard your single this morning. What was it? Two Drinks In? Cool tune. Good luck.”

  “Thanks, Man.”

  “Jesse was just here, but she headed up to the booths looking for you and Beau.”

  “Oh, we probably crossed paths then. Okay, well…” a pregnant pause caused Lacey to shift her weight. “It was really good to see you, Lace. Take care.” He surprised the hell out of her when he bent down and brushed his lips against hers. Then he was gone.

  She felt a flush spread across her cheeks and down her neck. Taking a moment to collect herself, she straightened her blazer. Looking back to Chase, she motioned him into her office.

  “Do you handle all your clients like that?” Chase leaned in, his eyebrows raised.

  “Simmer down, cowboy. Dalton is an old family friend. He’s like a brother to me.” Lacey straightened the already straight stack of papers on her desk.

  “I never kissed my sister like that.” Chase returned smugly.

  “Okay. Let’s focus. We have a lot to talk about. You are about to become a very busy man.”

  ******

  Dalton’s slow gait entered the recording studio, his brows furrowed, his eyes glazed.

  “There you are. I was about to send the posse out to look for you.” Beau jested.

  “What posse? We don’t have a posse.” Jesse chided.

  “Okay, I was about to text him. Same thing. Just quicker.” Beau grinned at his own humor.

  “You saw her, didn’t you?” Jesse watched Dalton closely.

  His eyes raised to hers. “Yeah.” His tone was flat. He shoved his hands in his pockets.

  “Her? Her...as in Lacey?” Beau stammered.

  “Yes, Lacey. I saw her okay. Now, are we going to play some music or what?” Dalton jerked his guitar off the stand and plugged in the amp.

  Beau swiveled his stool to face his keyboard. “I was here before you were, remember?” He pounced on a few keys. “Ready when you are.”

  “D, it’s alright to admit you miss her. We miss her too, don’t we Beau?” Jesse reached out and rested her hand on his forearm.

  He strummed his guitar in frustration, making a loud, ugly noise.

  “Yes, I miss her. Damn it! It wasn’t supposed to turn out like this.” He plopped down heavily on the overstuffed loveseat sitting in the corner. His head hung in his hands.

  “How did you expect it to turn out? You played with her emotions. She laid herself completely open to you and you crushed her. What did you think, she would just shrug her shoulders and chalk it up to experience? This is Lacey we’re talking about. You know her better than anybody.”

  “I’ve really messed things up, haven’t I?” his voice was monotone and his shoulders slumped.

  “Have you tried to talk with her since we got back?”

  “No. What would I say? Sorry I slept with you on numerous occasions and then dumped you with no warning whatsoever, because that’s basically what I did.”

  “When you put it that way…I don’t know. I still think you should try talking with her. You guys are too close to just tank your friendship without a fight, aren’t you? I thought she meant more to you than that, especially after watching you take care of her when she was sick, D. I know you care about her.”

  Dalton’s expression closed, his jaw tightening. “I think about it.” He stood abruptly and adjusted his guitar.

  “Let’s play.”

  Chapter Eight

  “This promises to be a really uncomfortable week, you know that, right? I don’t want to put a damper on Sara’s wedding with things being the way they are between Dalton and me. Maybe I shouldn’t have come.” Lacey bit her lip as she drove the car into Wilson’s Hollow.

  “You know as well as I do that Sara would be heartbroken if you weren’t part of her wedding with the rest of us. Suck it up, buttercup. This week is about Sara and Nate, not Lacey and Dalton.” Jesse knew just how to put Sara in her place.

  “Ouch. You don’t have to be so brutal.” Lacey whined.

  “Tough love, sweetheart. It works. You should practice it this week if you get my drift.”

  Lacey rolled her eyes. “I rea
lly wish I had a date for this weekend. At least I could pretend I was enjoying myself. You’ll be up on stage. I’ll just blend into the wallpaper like the wallflower that I am.”

  “Do you even hear yourself? Since when did you become a self-made martyr? This from a woman who had the guts to turn her life upside down, start a new job in a very competitive business and is quickly becoming the favorite amongst Milestone’s clients?” Jesse laughed at the wide-eyed look she received from Lacey.

  “You don’t think we all talk. You, my dear friend, are all the latest office buzz. You wouldn’t have had to look hard to have brought a date this weekend. You just aren’t looking. That’s the problem.”

  “Jess, you know I’m not interested in dating right now. I’m too busy.”

  “Is that the reason we’re going with. Good to know so we make sure we have the same story when someone asks.”

  “I swear sometimes I wonder why I am friends with you.” Lacey grumbled.

  Jesse jumped across the passenger seat and pulled Lacey into a bear hug. “Betuz you luv me.”

  The car swerved slightly. “Stop it, Jess. You want us to spend the week in the hospital and miss the wedding?”

  “Now who’s the drama queen.” This time it was Jesse who rolled her eyes.

  Lacey’s exuberant laughter filled the vehicle. “I do love you. I’ve missed you. Hard to believe it’s already been two months. You go back on the road in three weeks…without me.” Sadness filled her words.

  “Alright. None of that. This week is all about a wedding, a group of friends and lots and lots of alcohol. No work talk. Period. Deal?” Jesse spit on her hand and held it out to Lacey.

  “Deal.” Lacey in turn removed one hand from the steering wheel, spit and clasped her hand with Jesse’s. She wiped her hand on her jean pant leg, wincing. “That really is disgusting. Remind me again why we do that?”

  “Because it’s more personal and binding.”

  “I’d settle for swapping lipsticks next time.” Lacey wasn’t entirely joking.

  “Look! Isn’t she beautiful? God, I love it here.” Lacey smiled as she pulled up the mountaintop road and crested with Sara’s B&B sitting on the top of the hill, its dark wood shining in the summer sunlight.

  She parked the car, and helped Jesse get their bags out of the trunk. “Guess it’s now or never.” Lacey’s shoulders straightened as she pushed the Inn’s front doors open and pulled her suitcase through.

  “Knock! Knock! Any soon-to-be brides at home?” A squeal from the kitchen turned Lacey’s attention to the left. Sara, Dalton’s cousin was running around the counter towards them.

  “Lacey! Jesse! You’re finally here. Nate! Look who’s here.” Sara practically knocked Lacey over in her excitement to hug her.

  “Easy, honey. You don’t want to break any bones before the ceremony. You’d ruin the wedding photos.” Nate, her fiancé teased.

  Sara swatted at him with the dishtowel she held in one hand. She was always baking something.

  “Welcome back, you two. We’re all glad you’re here.” Nate hugged them both as well.

  “What’s it been, seven months now, Jesse? You’re looking no worse for wear having been out on the road.”

  “Uh uh. No work talk this week.” Jesse started.

  “Trust me.” Lacey broke in. “You don’t want to have to swap spit with her.”

  “Now that sounds like a conversation I might want to get in on.” Luke came in from the back room.

  “Luke, honey, I’d swap spit with you anytime.” Jesse teased as the big burly, bearded man picked Jesse up and swung her around. She kissed him soundly right on the mouth.

  “Come here, you sweet little thing. I haven’t seen you in way too long, Lacey. How the heck are you?” He scooped her right up in his arms and swung her around, not leaving her out of the welcome peck just as Dalton and Beau walked through the front door.

  “Well look watch else the cat drug in. If it isn’t mighty D. and Mr. B. How the hell are ya, man?” he went to shake Dalton’s hand, but his arms were still full of Lacey as he hadn’t set her back on her feet.

  Luke laughed as he planted her firmly upright. “Sorry. Got a little carried away. Easy to do with a pretty little thing like you, Lacey. Maybe I’ll get a few more chances to sweep you off your feet this weekend. Weddings bring out the romantic in me.” Luke was teasing of course, but Dalton’s frowned deepened just the same.

  “You look a little travel weary. We have just the remedy for that. Four whiskeys coming right up. I know Sara already has that fruity wine chilling for the ladies. Let’s leave ‘em to it.” Luke headed toward the den while Nate, Beau and Dalton followed.

  Dalton paused at the double doors before closing them, looking at Lacey directly. Butterflies fluttered in her stomach as they both paused and had a moment. Then he closed the door.

  Lacey exhaled, her chest hurting.

  “Okayyyy…it looks like we have more than my wedding going on, so I’ll get the wine, and you gals make yourself comfortable on the sofas. I want to know what that look was all about. Dalton almost set my Persian rug on fire. What gives?”

  Sara returned with three glasses of wine and a fruit and cheese platter.

  “We did not come here to talk about Dalton. You are getting married in five days. Can you believe it? I’m so excited for you and Nate.” Lacey’s genuine smile spread across her lovely face.

  “And you are so not telling me something, but okay. We’ll get to that eventually. Dalton never could keep anything from me for too long. Anyway, the wedding. Oh Em Gee! I am so excited to become Mrs. Nate Daniels. I was ready six months ago.”

  “Said like a true bride-to-be.” Jesse teased. “And to think, we were part of making it all happen.”

  “This is true. Oh, what a story we will have to tell our children, won’t we? Listen to me. We aren’t even married yet, and I’m talking about children.”

  “Well as your maid of honor and bride’s maid, we are here to serve, so whatever you need done, you just point us in that direction. You’ll be happy to know I planned the bachelorette party, and not Lacey. If it were left up to her, we’d be in our pajamas, eating pizza and singing Sandra Dee songs.” Jesse caught a throw pillow launched at her by Lacey before it hit her in the face.

  “Come on. You watch that movie with me every time it came on.”

  “If we don’t need bail money, and I make it to the church on time, I’m game.” Sara chimed in.

  Their squeals of delight carried into the den where the men were pouring their own drinks.

  ******

  Nate smirked at the sound of his woman so giddy. “What do you think they’re talking about?”

  “Probably you, but I’m sure it will circle around to this clown.” Luke said as he lifted his glass in Dalton’s direction.

  “Why Dalton? Because all the women swoon at his feet?” Nate ribbed.

  Dalton’s frown deepened as he downed his whiskey.

  “I’d say it had more to do with that pretty little thing I held in my arms a little while ago, and the look you shot me when you walked in the door and saw her there. Or maybe it was the I want to lay you down look you shared before you came in here to drink with us.” Luke’s eyes watched over the rim of his glass as he finished his own drink off.

  “You’re an asshole sometimes, you know that Luke?” Dalton poured another two-fingered whiskey.

  “Same as I ever was. You just don’t like hearing what I have to say, especially when it’s the truth.”

  “Damn, he’s good.” Beau said to Dalton. Dalton shot Beau a look of disdain.

  “What gives, Dalton? Something going on between you and Lacey? Did you finally open your eyes and see what was right in front of you?” Nate was joking, but realized he must have said something terribly wrong by the guttural growl Dalton let roll out.

  “We had a thing. Now we don’t. End of discussion.”

  “Whoa. That must make for one uncomfortable bus ride.
” Nate replied.

  “Lacey isn’t our assistant anymore. She took a job with the record label when we got back to Nashville.” Beau chimed in, but backed off when Dalton narrowed his eyes. “What? She was my assistant too.”

  “Yeah, but he was the one sleeping with her, weren’t’ you? That trumps.” Luke crossed his arms in front of his chest. “Must say, that’s a mighty fine piece of ass you let get away. Mind if I take a shot at it since your done with it?” Luke didn’t flinch went Dalton charged him, bunching up his t-shirt in his fists.

  “Don’t make me shove my fist down your throat, you son-of-a-bitch!” Dalton gritted out with clenched teeth.

  “” I thought so. Just wanted to be sure. Sorry. Didn’t mean to insult your lady. You know I love Lacey like a sister. When are you going to figure out how you feel about her?”

  Dalton dropped his fists to his sides as Beau and Nate relaxed a little.

  “I need to make some phone calls.” Dalton tossed back his whiskey and slapped the glass on the table. “thanks for the drinks. Where am I bunking?”

  “Sara’s put the guys in downstairs rooms. The ladies have the suites upstairs. Come on, you big oaf.” Luke grabbed Dalton in a choke-hold and scrubbed the top of his head with his fist.

  “Get off me. You probably haven’t’ bathed today.” Dalton pushed against Luke playfully.

  “What? Once a week isn’t enough?” He feigned shock as he smelled his shirt.

  “And you wonder why the women aren’t flocking to you.” Dalton joked.

  Luke slapped Dalton’s back, laughing as they exited the den. “It’s good to have you back, man. We’ve missed you.”

  Sara acknowledged the men first. She stood as they came into the room. Nate automatically gravitated to her. He circled her waist and held her to him. Lacey smiled at the gesture. He didn’t even realize what he’d done. She could see it was as natural to him as breathing. She felt a small twinge in her chest area.