Ellie positioned herself so that she would see Ria first. Ellie intently stared at her driver. For minutes she seemed not to blink. Somehow still, Ria seemed to appear.
Ellie was once again overpowered by her heart. She had told herself to keep her distance. She told herself to go to dinner with Ria and feel nothing. Yet once Ria was in her sight, she wanted to win her over again. Her hands gripped the edge of the bench. She curled her toes inside her shoes.
Ria was wearing brown boots, blue-jeans and a tight pink shirt. Her hair was down. She put out her hand and shook the driver's hand. The driver nodded in Ellie's direction and Ria spun around. The two locked eyes and Ellie stood. She wiped her sweaty palms on her jeans. Ellie was wearing a short blonde wig and sunglasses. She took a few steps toward Ria.
“Nice flight?” Ellie asked.
“You came,” Ria said. “You didn't have to come.”
“Only the best for my dates,” Ellie said. “I'm never one to let my driver pick up my dates solo.”
“Oh, is that all?” Ria asked. “I mean thank you for coming.” Ria stepped forward and hugged Ellie. Ellie held tight and refused to breathe in Ria's scent. She knew that would bring her to her knees in this crowded baggage claim area.
“Let's go,” Ellie said. They walked outside and reached the limousine. The driver carried Ria's bag and placed it in the trunk. Ellie and Ria slid into the back of the limousine. “Here is the address for dinner,” Ellie said as she handed a piece of paper to the driver.
“So, where are we going?” Ria asked.
“It’s a surprise,” Ellie said.
“You don't have to go to all this trouble,” Ria said. “I know this isn't easy. I was prepared for a quick dinner, and then spending the rest of the night watching television.”
“This is my plan,” Ellie said. “Let's just go to dinner and have fun. Miami is fun, and the sky's the limit. Did you reserve a hotel?”
“Umm no, I was thinking I'd find one once I was here,” Ria said.
“Bad idea. This is a busy week down in Miami. First, there is my concert, and there is a huge comics convention. You'll never find a room,” Ellie said.
“Oh, well I…” Ria started.
“Don't worry. I reserved a room for you at my hotel. I didn't want you trying to sleep in my bed,” Ellie said.
“Give me a break,” Ria said as she lightly shoved Ellie. “Thank you for reserving me a room. I appreciate it and will pay you back.”
“Please, most places don't charge me. Don't worry about it,” Ellie said.
The limousine stopped outside a restaurant called Moon. The driver opened the car door and Ellie and Ria stepped out onto the sidewalk.
“This seems fancy,” Ria said. “I think we're underdressed.”
“No worries. I have connections,” Ellie said as she slid her arm into Ria's arm and pulled her toward the door. Ellie felt a rush come over her from being physically close to Ria. They walked in the front door and a hostess greeted them. She nodded at Ellie, grabbed two menus and walked them upstairs. They walked out onto a balcony. There were ten tables there but only one table was set.
“How's this, Miss Way?” the woman asked.
“It’s wonderful, thank you,” Ellie answered. Ria and Ellie were seated at a table that overlooked the city. The sun was setting and the sky had an orange hue to it. The buildings stretched up with the ocean as their backdrop. “What do you think?”
“I think that this is beautiful,” Ria said. “You have surpassed my expectations. I expected to be met by a scowling Ellie. The way I treated you, I expected...”
“Let's not talk about that,” Ellie said. “I've come to realize that I have a hard time staying mad at you. Can we enjoy ourselves?”
“Yes,” Ria said. “And I'm starved. Oh, this is a Cuban restaurant,” Ria said as she looked over the menu.
“Best one in the city,” the hostess was back. “Can I get you anything to drink?”
“Wine?” Ellie asked.
“Sure,” Ria said.
“Your best,” Ellie said. The hostess nodded and walked away.
“Wasn't that our hostess? What's she doing waiting on us?” Ria asked.
“Old, short-lived girlfriend, Vicky,” Ellie said.
“No,” Ria said.
“Yeah, I honestly didn't know she worked here. I made the reservation through the owner,” Ellie said.
“She’s hot,” Ria said.
“You kidding me? You're the hot one. Guaranteed she's jealous of you,” Ellie said. “I’m sure she's going to spit in your food. So whatever you want, I’ll order and vice versa.” Ria laughed.
“I missed your humor,” Ria said.
“I love hearing your laugh,” Ellie said. Silence fell between them. The hostess came back and poured them wine and left the bottle.
“This is the best wine I've ever had,” Ria said.
“It better be. I never spend this much on dinner, let alone the wine,” Ellie said. “I figured I'd do everything on this date that I never do on dates.”
“I wish I knew what was on that list. That way I'd know what to expect,” Ria said. “I can't get used to you wearing a wig.”
“I know. Sorry it's the only way we can be out in public,” Ellie said. “So, how's work?” Ellie asked.
“Oh, it’s good,” Ria said. “My study got more financial backing and now I have my own group of interns and residents.”
“That’s great,” Ellie said.
“It’s in the beginning stages, but...” Ria said.
“It’s great. That’s great,” Ellie said.
“It’s okay. I’m hoping to be able to patent a chemical compound to decrease the rate of blood loss,” Ria said. “The armed services have a similar substance that's not approved due to a lot of side effects and risks of infection.”
“I know you're going to do it,” Ellie said.
“Thanks,” Ria said. Ellie and Ria ordered dinner and talked as daylight faded and the night lights came to life.
“This is so beautiful. I’m having so much fun,” Ria said.
“Good,” Ellie said as she peered across the table at Ria. “I hope I gave you something to brag to Maggie about.”
“You did,” Ria said. “Thanks for agreeing to do this. It means a lot to Maggie.”
“A deal is a deal,” Ellie said.
“And to me. It means a lot to me,” Ria said.
“Yeah, sure,” Ellie said. As they were walking out of the restaurant, Ria stopped off at the ladies room. Ellie waved to her driver to grab the car and waited in the lobby. As Ellie leaned against the wall of the lobby, the hostess Vicky approached her.
“I was hoping I'd run into you the next time you were in town,” Vicky said.
“Vicky, how are you?” Ellie said as she put her phone into her back pocket.
“I’m okay and I’m free tonight,” Vicky said as she reached around Ellie and slid her hand into Ellie's back pocket and pulled out Ellie’s phone. “I’ll put my phone number in here. Oh, it’s locked.”
“Vicky, thanks but I’m not available,” Ellie said as she grabbed her phone back. Vicky was quick to counter. She grabbed a pen from her pocket and latched on to Ellie's wrist. Her grip was tight and she pressed Ellie against the wall.
“You should know me. I don't give up easily,” Vicky said as she wrote her phone number on the back of Ellie's hand.
“And you should know me,” Ria said as she pushed between Vicky and Ellie. “I don't put up with people touching my Ellie.”
“What the...” Vicky said as Ria removed Vicky's hand from Ellie.
“Let's go, Ellie,” Ria said as she interlocked her hand with Ellie's. They both walked out of the restaurant and to the curb.
“Thanks, I wasn't enjoying that,” Ellie started.
“I know a slut when I see one,” Ria said. “What nerve she has to hit on you while you’re with me.”
“Well, technically we aren’t together,” Ellie laughe
d. Ellie tried to pull her hand from Ria's.
“She’s still looking at you,” Ria said. “Let's keep the facade going.” Ria looked down at Ellie's hand. “That girl, she wrote on you!” Ria glanced back at the entrance and saw Vicky continuing to scowl at Ria. Ria put Ellie's hand to her lips and licked the back of Ellie's hand. Ellie's head jerked toward Ria. Ria's tongue pushed hard against Ellie's skin. Ellie's mouth dropped open. Then Ria used her fingers to rub out the numbers on Ellie's hand. Ria leaned in close to Ellie. Ellie could feel her heart pounding to be let out of her chest.
“Too much?” Ria whispered as her eyes went from Ellie's eyes to lips and back to her eyes.
“For me or for her?” Ellie asked.
“Either?”
“Yes,” Ellie said as the limousine pulled up. Ellie opened the door before the driver could get out. “Get in before you two get in a cat fight.” Ria giggled and climbed in. They rode in silence back to the hotel. Ellie’s hand, her whole being, ached for Ria. Ria and Ellie reached the hotel and walked through the lobby.
“I already have your room key,” Ellie said. The two boarded the elevator and Ellie used the key to access the penthouse.
“My flight leaves early tomorrow. I could only get one day off,” Ria said.
“I know,” Ellie said. The elevator door opened and Ellie and Ria stepped out.
“I’ll wait here while you grab my key,” Ria said.
“Oh, here is your key,” Ellie said as she handed her a gold key card.
“What room?” Ria asked.
“You're here,” Ellie said. “Have a good night and safe flight back. Text me so that I know you got home okay.” Ellie stepped back into the elevator and pushed a button.
“Wait! You got me the penthouse?” Ria asked. Ellie nodded and the doors closed. Ria walked through the living room, dining room, a kitchen with a fully stocked fridge and into a bedroom with a king sized bed.
Ellie walked into her executive suite and turned on the shower. She needed to wash away the amazing yet grueling night. She undressed and a text came over her phone.
Ria texted, This place is amazing.
Ellie said, I know right?
I had a great time. Thank you.
Ellie smiled and said, Me too. You're welcome.
Ria said, You should've checked this place out with me. You left quickly.
Ellie said, I had to leave. You're amazing to be around. Hard not to kiss you.
Oh, Ria replied.
Ellie jumped in the shower, and tried to think of anything but Ria. All that her brain would focus on was Ria. She could still feel Ria's warm wet lips on her hand. Ellie stepped out of the shower and there was another text from Ria.
Ria texted, I really wanted to kiss you, too.
Ellie texted, I know. Good night.
CHAPTER 38
“So let's recap,” Dina said. “You professed your love for her and she told you she was with someone else. Not only with someone else, but moved in with someone else after only a month. Then you spend a fortune and not to mention miss a big awards ceremony to help her with her daughter. She comes to your house as you're once again watching her daughter.”
“We were hanging out. That was my idea,” Ellie said.
Dina held up her hand asking for Ellie to stop talking, “She comes to your apartment, makes a move on you in the morning, and then comes back and sleeps with you that night. Then goes on tour with you. She sleeps with you one night, and then disappears the next night. Then you come back from tour. She sleeps with you again. All the while thinking you are going to leave her. She gets a little media attention. And then in a text, a text, Ellie, she tells you not to contact her. Then she comes down to Miami. You wine and dine her, and then she's back with good old Gwen.”
“When you put it that way, it sounds bad,” Ellie said.
“Any way you put it, it looks bad,” Dina said. “Ellie, you're smarter than this.”
“You don't get it. She's just scared. When I'm with her...”
“Blah, blah, blah. It’s ridiculous Ellie. You know if it was me or Davie going through this, you would be cursing them up and down,” Dina said.
“Maybe.”
“Maybe? Definitely!” Dina said. “Move on. She’s afraid that you're going to leave her. She’s leaving you left and right.”
“Okay, okay,” “Ellie said. “My head is following you. My heart hasn't caught up. You don't know her.”
“I know,” Dina said. “I know it’s easy for me to see it. I wish I’d been in New York City with you so I could have kicked the crap out of her.”
“Be nice,” Ellie said. “If anything, we better be able to stay friends, because I intend to abide by my word and continue to hang with Maggie.”
“You’re way too nice,” Dina said. “Can you turn into a guy and marry me?”
“Only if I’m desperate,” Ellie laughed.
CHAPTER 39
Ellie finished her Struck Tour by ending in Los Angeles. Her royalties raked in, and Ellie and her team agreed it was her best tour. On November second her contract was up. She did not have to go on any more tours. She did not owe any albums. She had the most money she had ever had in her bank account.
One morning Ellie called Dina, “Do me a favor?”
“Do you want me to help you negotiate a new contract? I have some ideas about...”
“No, I'm going to send you a message with a list of people to pull together and an address for them to meet. I want it to be clear, this excludes Robert,” Ellie said.
“Sure, send me when and where and who,” Dina said. “For what?”
“You'll see. It's a surprise,” Ellie said.
A few days later the people on that list, including Ellie and Dina, met at a vacant downtown building.
“What's with all the cloak and dagger, and what is this place?” Davie said as he entered the building. The room was a big vacant area with a brand-new round conference table surrounded by leather chairs with the plastic still on them.
“Soon enough,” Ellie said. “Help me take the plastic off these chairs will you?”
The rest of the crew entered the room and sat around the table.
“The reason I gathered you all here today...” Ellie started. “I always wanted to say that.” Chuckles rang out at the table. Ellie smiled out at her core team. Dina, Davie, Jazzie, her accountant, her fashion designer, tour agent, and her publicist. “The reason I brought you all here today is because I'm excited that my contract is up. I've made some decisions, and have a plan to move forward in my adventure. I met with my accountant Jane, and we ran some numbers. I'm not going to renew my contract.” Several people gasped.
“Ellie,” Dina said.
Ellie held up her hand and continued, “I'm going to start my own label, hire you guys if you want to work for me and only me, and oh yes, and I bought this building. This will be our recording studio after some work. Jane can you hand out the envelopes?” Jane walked around the table and put envelopes in front of each person. Each envelope was labeled with the individual’s name.
Ellie talked as Jane finished handing out the envelopes, “So, this here is your job description and your new salary. There will be no pressure to take this job. I'll even write you a recommendation if you want to take another job. You're my friends, and I don't want you to feel obligated to take on this venture with me. If this is something you don't want, that's okay. So go ahead and open them.”
“Ellie, this is almost twice what I make now,” Jazzie said.
“Yes, me too,” Davie said. Everyone around the table nodded and their faces read that they were in awe.
“Yes, well you'll be taking a chance doing this with me,” Ellie said. “There’s no guarantee that this will work. You'll also own a percentage of the company and have decision making capabilities. If you want to talk to me individually, we can. If you accept the terms, sign the contract.”
“What about Robert?” Jazzie asked.
“I'm deciding to move forward without Robert,” Ellie said. “I already let him go.”
“Who's going to manage you?” Davie asked. Ellie stared out at the table until each of them reread their contract.
“Me?” Dina said. “Ellie, I can't. I mean I can, but…”
“You’ll be great at it. You said so yourself you did most of Robert's work, and made all the connections. Most people can't stand Robert now. And I'm paying you more than Robert ever got paid,” Ellie said. “I trust you more than I ever trusted him.”
Everyone had signed their contracts and left the studio. Ellie sat at the table, took a deep breath and looked around the soon to be studio. She swiveled around so that her back was to the door. She heard the door open and footsteps come toward her. She swiveled around and it was Jazzie.
“You sure you want to hire me to be in charge of hospitality?” Jazzie asked.
“Yes, of course, you up for the challenge?” Ellie asked. “It would require you to meet and work a lot with rock stars and famous people.”
“Hell yeah,” Jazzie said. “I just called and gave my notice at my job. So you'll be the last person I drop off. You ready?”
Jazzie dropped Ellie off at her apartment. Ellie walked in and sat down on her living room couch. She picked up her guitar and filled the room with echoes of chords. Empty boxes and empty walls changed the usual acoustics in the room.
Dina texted, How are you?
Ellie answered, I feel free. I feel powerful. I can concentrate on playing and creating music, and supporting new musicians. I'm great.
Great! I'm so proud of you. Good look with the move tomorrow. As your new manager, I'm telling you to write, write, write, Dina commanded.
The apartment was quiet. Then Ellie thought about Ria.
CHAPTER 41
Ellie's downtown Boston recording studio was built within six months with a bunch of hitches. There were electrical, plumbing and permit problems. Ellie and her team found out quickly that Jazzie had a multitude of connections in the Boston area. Once Jazzie was put on the project, she had her own team of workers, contractors, electricians and plumbers on site.
Love's Autograph Page 23