Unfinished Sympathy (Absolution Book 1)

by Amélie S. Duncan

  Logan gave us a warmer greeting. More so because his wife, Mia, was super earnest and friendly when she was introduced. She was a brunette model, stunning in her low-cut sparkly top. Her designer skinny jeans caught my eye because Logan had told me I couldn’t wear jeans tonight. From our seats, we could still see the screen behind the stage. It was lit up and projecting the logo for Crane Production Studios, and a few images of some of their most famed signed artists. It was a reminder of their superiority in the industry and the exclusiveness of the event.

  Before we could sit down, Ryan announced over the hum of the music and crowd, “We need to have a business meeting.”

  Destiny and I shared a what-an-asshole look before she left with her head high, leading the other women to the large neon bar along the back of the room. They weren’t alone for long. Men immediately approached to chat them up.

  The rest of us said nothing for ten minutes, until Gary came over. He looked distinguished in a navy suit and tie. He had a man at his side who had to be Paul’s father, Jonas Crane. Wow. He was his son’s doppelganger, and I had to say Paul’s future looked mighty bright. Jonas had the same wavy black hair but with a little gray at his temples. He looked handsome in a black designer suit and white shirt. His Caribbean-blue gaze was as intense as Paul’s. “Nice to meet you all. Please take a seat,” he said after each of us had shaken his hand.

  Jonas spoke mostly with Gary, talking about business, which Gary continued to steer toward Emono Games.

  Gary looked pleased as punch. Logan nodded along as if they had included him in the discussion, even though he had nothing to add. Ryan used this time to hassle me. “I’m expecting a briefing of this event, including the music, presented for our team meeting on Monday, alright Aubrey?”

  I wasn’t the audio team’s personal assistant, but I answered him in as casual a tone as I could. “I can take notes for a recap of the event, but it was clear from our meeting that Mr. Crane is choosing for himself what he would like to include on the soundtrack.”

  Ryan’s nostrils flared. “I know to someone with little experience that tonight might seem like a party, but this is a work function. If you have an issue with your assignment, we can meet about your temporary role with us.” He spoke close to my ear in a light tone, but his reprimand was loud enough for the others to hear.

  “Ryan, is it?” Jonas asked him, and he nodded in confirmation.

  “Paul has press packages with everything you need, should you want details about tonight’s event. I’ll remind him to have a kit hand-delivered to your office. However, I believe all he wants you to do is enjoy the music,” Jonas said, his voice clipped.

  Ryan coughed, then cleared his throat. “That would be helpful, Mr. Crane. Thank you.”

  To my delight, Gary gave Ryan the stink eye. “Thank you, Jonas.”

  The overhead lights flashed, and someone turned the music off, signaling the start of the live performance part of the event. The film cameras on the sides of the stage were now manned and pointing towards the platform. An enthusiastic crowd joined them and filled the dance floor closest to the stage.

  Jonas excused himself and left our table for his own seat at the front. I looked around for Destiny, who was with Mia, laughing together on their way back to the table. Ryan’s date moved quickly ahead of them to get back to his side. It wasn’t long before a man wearing a shirt with a visible Fuel logo under his suit jacket took the stage with a microphone in his hand.

  “Welcome, everyone, to tonight’s Crane Production Live in The City dance party,” he boomed. “The performances are about to start, followed by a dance party you won’t forget. You’re at the event of the year, people.” Applause and cheers rolled through the crowd. Destiny took my hand and pointed toward the dance floor, and we both stood.

  “We’ll take a closer look,” I announced to the table before the two of us went over to join the crowd. We weaved through until we were a row back from center stage, just as the host announced Paul Crane’s arrival to the stage to cheers and whistles.

  Paul wore tailored black suit and a dark gray shirt. His hair was styled back, showing off his scorching-hot profile. He was positively dreamy. He smiled and waved, then shook the host’s hand before taking the spotlight in the center. Destiny mockingly fanned me, and I poked her in the ribs. “Thank you all for coming to the party,” Paul said. “Tonight’s a celebration of music and youth. The artists performing here, including myself, grew up in New York City and attended our excellent public schools. I’m grateful for that, and for the years of experience and life I gained from my attendance. Therefore, tonight’s event proceeds will go to public education. Knowledge is power.”

  His list of outreach and charities was endless—yet another thing to admire about him.

  “To kick off the party tonight, we have Recon.”

  The crowd exploded in cheers and screams as Recon, in his signature leather suit and cornrow braids, went over to stand next to Paul.

  “This man’s the real deal,” Recon said. “Our recent collaboration, Infinity, is now number one!”

  The crowd screamed and clapped in celebration. When they quieted down, Paul replied to Recon, “It’s all you.”

  Recon chuckled. “He’s humble as fuck too. And he’s still single! Women, y’all better get your game together.”

  Catcalls and whistles were loud all around us. Destiny pinched me, and I smiled. I wish.

  Recon then turned serious, and Paul moved back as he took front and center.

  “Hello, New York. That’s what tonight is all about. New York and going home. Tonight’s event for me is about Jan Yates, a public-school teacher who encouraged my poetry and music. She taught me to get excited about science and math. She made me proud of my history. She’s gone now, but she lives in me. She is what makes New York live.”

  Paul went over to the piano and played as the pop icon Cara Tinsel joined them on the stage, singing the solo from Recon’s hit “Live in The City.” Her pink hair was in curls. She had on a sparkly short dress with mermaid scales and platforms with glowing fruit.

  “She’s been going through Katy Perry’s laundry basket,” Destiny shouted in my ear, and we giggled.

  She had Katy Perry’s magic, a powerful voice that filled the room, but one which was distinctly her own.

  Recon rapped and danced across the stage, and the crowd was right with him. They sang along and knew every lyric. Their love and enthusiasm were infectious.

  I was just as excited, especially about Paul. He was moving on his bench to the music. I flashed back to him in his home, watching me play. “Fill me up,” he’d told me. I shuddered.

  After Recon came performances from the A-plus list of Pop Icons and Rap Artists, each playing a song and sharing their story of work and dedication to education. It honored me to be a part of the evening.

  There was a brief pause, and Destiny squeezed my shoulder. “This is amazing.”

  I hugged her. I was happy to share tonight with her too. Then I remembered this event was work. Glancing back at the table, I saw that Logan and Ryan hadn’t left. They hadn’t joined in with the crowd either.

  “Maybe I should go back to the worktable,” I said to Destiny. “This is work after all.”

  “It’s a party, and they’re being party poopers!” Destiny grinned her wicked smile. “I will get Mia to come down and join us.” Destiny left my side, returning with Mia, and I thanked her. I admired the fact that she always had a way of making friends easily. The three of us danced as a few newly signed artists sang.

  Paul returned to the stage and announced, “To wrap up tonight’s performances, my friend Deo agreed to sing this throwback for us. But he had one request: The dancing is to be for ladies only.”

  Everyone cheered as men moved to the sides of the dance floor to watch as the ladies took it over.

  Deo came out and sang, “Please Me.”

  It wasn’t out of proportion to say people lost their minds.

&n
bsp; Paul and all the performing artists took to the stage and lined up along its edge to watch the women dance.

  Destiny, Mia, and I danced together in a small circle.

  “Paul’s looking at you,” Destiny said, close enough for me to hear.

  Excitement filled me as I fought not to see his reaction for myself. When some dance moves turned more risqué, Destiny and I bowed out and joined the clapping crowd on the sidelines.

  “The women showed us how to do it. Now, men, let’s see what you got!” Recon called out.

  The men took the floor and danced, and then Paul came down to join them. He exuded sexiness and confidence as he strolled through the crowd to select a dance partner. Everyone around him was fascinated. It also brought out a boldness in some women I hadn’t often seen, even though admittedly I didn’t go out much. Some blocked his path to get him to look at them or clasped his arm. At that moment, I wasn’t sure what I would do when he reached me. My pulse sped up as he approached where I stood. Would he pick me? I really wanted him to and didn’t want him to all at once.

  When he reached the place where I stood, all I got was a mere glance of my face, which was the only acknowledgment he granted me before walking by. It seemed as if he never met me.

  My stomach took a dive.

  Destiny took my hand and squeezed it.

  I didn’t remain alone to wallow in disappointment. The second I stepped away from Destiny, a few men approached me and tried to coax me out to dance. I was relieved for the distraction and quickly chose a cute guy in a suit who was the most direct. Then as we started to dance, I immediately made a gap between our bodies to clue him in that our dance wasn’t going to be a close one.

  Destiny and Mia found partners to dance with too. I looked over at Logan. He played it cool, but his eyes remained fixed on his wife.

  I tried hard not to, but I couldn’t help staring at Paul. He’d chosen a pretty redhead wearing a gold version of the bargain-bin dress I’d almost worn tonight. Annoyingly, it did look good under the club lights.

  I tried to focus on my dancer partner, who kept smiling at me. He wasn’t a bad dancer; actually, he was admittedly better than me since I didn’t know the fancy dance moves that the crowd could do. And despite having someone to dance with, and a cute guy at that, my eyes drifted over to Paul and this time it met his. He was dancing with the redhead, but staring over at me, and a longing to be near him arose in me once again.

  My partner touched my arm to end the entrancement, and I tried to remain focused on the dance—but Paul was magnetic. I couldn’t easily drag my attention away as his partner tried to get closer to him. When the dance ended, I quickly thanked him and headed back to the table.

  Before I reached it, strong arms surround my waist. I tensed and so twisted to break away. But he held on, shifting his body to move in front of me to show his face and my breath caught. It was Paul.

  “Dance with me, Aubrey,” his voice whirred in my ear.

  My heartbeat went from calm to pounding. “Careful of what you wish for. Save the best for last.” Both wise sayings played on a loop in my mind.

  We moved closer to the stage. The music changed to the chorus of Cara’s latest ballad.

  Paul took my arms and guided them around his neck, and I shuddered as he slid his hands down the sides of my breasts to my waist before finally resting them on my hips.

  “Move with me,” he said in a deep, commanding tone that had my body tightening with a surge of lust.

  “Looks like Paul’s getting busy tonight,” Recon called out from the stage. “Sexy little lady in white looks shook. Go easy on her, Paul.”

  People cheered and laughed all around us.

  I frowned. Seriously? We hadn’t even started dancing! I frazzled over more commentary once we did. Please don’t say another word, Recon.

  “Focus on us, Aubrey.” Paul drew me close. My hands rested on his warm, broad shoulders, as he led our dance. We swayed together. Our rhythm was slower than the music, but it didn’t matter. He made it feel like it was just the two of us in the room, with the crowd fading away entirely.

  The song and dance ended too soon. But before he let go of my waist, he lowered his head to my ear, his lips so close to my skin.

  “You look so beautiful. I couldn’t resist,” he said. Neither could I resist him.

  Paul returned to the piano on stage and played what sounded like the song he’d written that afternoon. Deo and Recon freestyled lyrics to the music. Cara added her vocal gymnastics. It was epic. My fascination with Paul Crane had reached new heights. It took my brain a few minutes to wake up. And then I realized something I hadn’t even thought to consider Gary, Logan, and Ryan had seen Paul and I dance together.

  Our dance had been clean enough for church, but Destiny and I went back to the table to feel the bosses out. On approach, Gary was smiling. Logan looked confused, while Ryan’s beady eyes sent daggers in my direction.

  Oh, well. Next week was Quality Assurance game-bug searching for me. It had been worth it.

  The crowd behind me let out lusty whoops, and I saw a big smile suddenly cross Ryan’s face. I turned my head, and my stomach sank. Cara had grabbed Paul and given him a passionate kiss. His hands were up in protest, but he didn’t stop her.

  The crowd cheered wildly as they all left the stage, and an explosion of camera flashes went off like fireworks. I could already see the headlines: Top Business Mogul and Pop Superstar together. They were young, gorgeous, and successful. They made sense. Paul and I did not.

  The show ended, and the staff came out and changed the setup for a DJ to play music.

  Destiny’s phone rang with an incoming call. I went with her to the front hall near the exit to check her messages. I just needed to get out of there for a bit.

  She groaned. “Someone called in sick for a France flight. If I take it, I’ll get extra free passes and more time off to use it, besides double time.”

  “You should take it,” I said and called the car service, saying into the phone, “One to pick up now. Destiny.”

  “I hate to leave you,” she replied. “Are you going home?”

  I nodded. “Soon. There is no reason to stay.”

  She gave me a hug. “He didn’t kiss her back.” I had said nothing and somehow my friend knew exactly what had upset me.

  I smiled sadly. Destiny was ever the optimist.

  The car was less than ten minutes away from picking her up, and I waited. Afterward, I went back inside and over to the Emono Games table. No one was there.

  I frowned and took out my phone. Where did they go?

  “You’re looking for your group?” I looked up to find Jonas Crane. “They went back to the VIP lounge to speak with my son,” he added.

  My frown deepened. “Oh.”

  “I’ll take you back with me,” he offered.

  I shook my head. “No need. I’m sure they have it all worked out.”

  He grinned. “Nonsense. I know Paul would want you there.” Something about his tone made me think he’d read more than he should into our dance.

  “I’m sure he’s… busy,” I said, but his hand was already on my elbow, guiding me to the VIP lounge.

  Jonas got the royal treatment. A path cleared like the parting of a sea, with staff making sure he had nothing in the way to keep him from advancing. When we stepped inside the lounge, there was a lot of press, business suits, and models. Some of the most handsome people I’d ever seen up close, including Paul. He was talking to Gary, Ryan, and Logan as he also took questions from the press, with cameras flashing sporadically. The smile on his face appeared plastic compared to the one I’d seen all afternoon.

  “Look who I found,” Jonas announced, gesturing to me.

  “Hello, Dad.” Paul’s tone was flat. “I thought we agreed all is fine. I didn’t realize you had time to come tonight.”

  Jonas’s smile thinned. “I made time.”

  “Yes, Jonas said over dinner he was looking forward to
seeing your event,” Gary added. “It was superb.”

  “So, you’re here for business.” Paul turned his attention my way. “What did you think of the music performance tonight, Aubrey?”

  I averted my eyes, my tone formal. “Everything was amazing. I especially enjoyed your piano improvisation. It was incendiary. Thank you for inviting Emono Games to be a part of your extraordinary evening and charity event.”

  “Thank you,” Paul replied. “I’m glad you all enjoyed it, and as I was just saying to Gary, Logan, and Ryan, I have an announcement, but I was waiting until you were all here to share it.”

  A flutter went through my chest. He had waited for me.

  “I’ve moved forward with the negotiations for the Absolution soundtrack,” Paul told them. Gary beamed but looked over at Jonas, expectant.

  “I’ve agreed to be a part of the communication with Emono Games too,” Jonas added.

  Paul pressed his lips together and didn’t say a word. It wasn’t exactly Paul and Jonas Crane signing on a dotted line, but from the expression on Gary’s face, it was the next best thing.

  “You both made my year,” he said, enthusiastically breaking the silence. Gary shook Paul’s and Jonas’s hands again and talked about times for meetings.

  Ryan tapped my arm to get my attention. “You can go now, Aubrey.”

  “Yes,” Logan chimed in. “You can go back to the party and enjoy yourself.”

  I stood there for a few more moments, hearing Paul say in my mind, “They treat you like you allow them to treat you.” But I wasn’t sure if I wanted to stand my ground and remain ignored or leave.

  My eyes returned to Paul. I couldn’t leave without looking at him again. His magnetic allure demanded it. And when I did, he looked directly at me, like he could feel me. His attention sent a shock wave through my skin, wrapping his current around me, pulling me in. My guard was down, and he could easily see my longing. I wanted to be close. I wanted to explore that easy feeling we’d had when we’d talked so freely in the loft.