Change in Harmony (A Silver Script Novel Book 4) (4 page)

Nate couldn’t help the disappointment he felt when he saw that Allison wasn’t on the platform again. It had been over a week, and the guilt from leaving her at the diner had been eating at him ever since. Which made no sense. It’s not like she was the first girl he’d ever dated and not called again. There was just something about her easygoing, open, and friendly manner that made his mind keep going back to her.

He took the steps up to the street and checked his phone again for the directions. There was a new act at his friend’s bar, and Eddie had been pestering him to come and check it out. With all the new ads that Nate needed to have ready for the beginning of spring, this was the first time he’d been able to get away. And even then, he had several hours of work to do that night to prepare for the meeting the next day. The thought of just staying home ran through his mind, but it was pushed aside quickly. His mind needed a break for a bit.

Music blasted as Nate walked through the door, and the smell of old alcohol, chicken wings, and fried food filled his senses. It had been way too long since he’d been here last. He pushed his way through the crowd, checking out a few of the girls as he went past them. Eddie stood at the bar and nodded when he saw Nate coming toward him. He finished the order and wiped his hands.

“Hey, man. You made it. What can I get you?” Eddie grinned and grabbed a glass from the counter.

“Just water for now. What’s the occasion? It’s packed.” Nate sat on one of the stools and smiled at a blonde girl next to him. She smirked and turned away.

Eddie gestured toward the stage. “I told you. She’s amazing, and word spreads fast.”

“Where’d you find her?” Nate took the glass from Eddie and took a drink.

“The subway. I was coming home from—are you okay?” Eddie shot Nate a curious look.

Nate coughed on the water he’d inhaled. It couldn’t be her, right? “I’m fine.”

“Sure. Anyway, I better go get the show started. The crowd is getting restless.” Eddie left, glancing over his shoulder at Nate as he went around the corner.

People made their way toward the stage and found a place to stand. Nate stayed where he was, and sipped on his water. Maybe he should have gotten something else to drink. Music started, and Nate glanced over. He breathed a sigh of relief when he saw a young girl walk out on stage and sit on the stool in the center. It wasn’t Allison, but Eddie was right. She was amazing with her rich, alto voice. She couldn’t be more than eighteen years old. A glance to the side proved him right. A couple stood there with pride written all over their faces—obviously her parents.

Eddie came back to stand behind the bar. “Want some more water?”

“I think I’ll order some wings and a drink with those.” Nate gestured toward the stage. “You’re right. She’s fantastic.”

“Her? No, that’s Leah. She’s the opening act. Allison will be out in a few minutes.”

Nate nearly spit his drink. He could leave right now, but he hadn’t heard any of it yet, and Eddie would wonder what was going on. He’d stay just long enough to satisfy Eddie, and then find an excuse to leave. A date, maybe. It’s not like that would be unbelievable. He normally had a date every weekend. He just hadn’t felt like it since . . . the day he left Allison in the diner.

The girl finished to a standing ovation and left the stage to sit with her parents. Nate wanted to leave, but his promise to stay and a more than a little curiosity held him there. He’d left her once already, and he obviously still regretted it. Maybe if he apologized he could move on with life.

After a few glowing words for Leah, Allison sat and strummed a few chords on her guitar. She started a popular song, and Nate was mesmerized. Her voice was rich, and by her expression as she sang, she loved what she did. Nate tore his gaze away from her and glanced around to see that he wasn’t the only one affected by her singing. When the song ended, Nate jumped as the crowd erupted in applause. He joined in the clapping and leaned back in his chair, relaxing to enjoy the show.

Allison sang a few more songs before people from audience began shouting out the names of songs, making her laugh. “Whoa, slow down. I’ll get to your song.”

Nate shook his head, amazed at her calm manner. It shouldn’t have surprised him after how quickly she warmed up to him in the subway, but there were a lot of people in here all wanting her attention.

During one of the faster songs, Eddie started playing with the spotlight, flashing it around the stage and into the crowd. Allison stood and grabbed the microphone, caught up in the song she was singing. Her eyes fell on Nate, and she stopped for a split second before moving on, but for the rest of the song, she kept glancing over.

Nate cursed under his breath. He should have left. Now he was just making a mess of her performance. Right after the song was over, Allison excused herself and went backstage. Nate leaned forward and buried his face in his hands.

Eddie went back for a few seconds before coming back out. “Let’s give Allison a big hand. She’s not feeling well, so we’ll end the night with a little karaoke.”

As soon as Eddie went back to the bar, Nate stood and walked over. “Hey, I’m taking off. You’re right. She’s fantastic.”

“I thought you’d like her.” Eddie scrubbed the counter. “I don’t get it, though. She usually doesn’t get flustered like this.”

Guilt overwhelmed Nate, but he squashed it down. “Maybe she just needed a break.”

“Maybe.” Eddie wiped out a glass. “I don’t think that’s it, though. This was the first time I used those lights. I hope I didn’t scare her.”

Nate shrugged. “You could have. You’re pretty scary.”

Eddie chuckled. “I’m sure that’s it.”

The crowd slowly trickled out of the bar, murmuring about the disappointment that the show was already over. Nate stood to follow them out. Maybe he could still catch a movie that night.

“So you’re leaving again, huh? Is that all you do?” Allison’s voice broke through the noise, stopping Nate in his tracks.

He turned. “Hey, Allison.”

The fury in her eyes was a complete contrast to the friendly demeanor he’d first met. “Why are you here?”

Nate nodded toward Eddie. “He told me to come. He said a new singer had just started and I needed to hear her.”

“I—” Allison stopped. “He did?”

“He told me you were amazing. I have to say I agree. Although I didn’t expect it to be you.” Nate shoved his hands in his pockets.

Allison stiffened. “And now that you know it is?”

Nate studied her. He’d already thought she was beautiful, but the fire in her eyes just made her even more intriguing. “I may come back. I was impressed. You have an amazing voice.”

“What? Was it more than you’d expect from a girl who performs in the subway?” She huffed and folded her arms.

“Hey, I didn’t say that. But since you asked, it’s better than I expected.” Nate backed up. “It was nice to see you again. Maybe I’ll see you around.”

Nate left the bar, feeling a little lighter than he had in days. He hadn’t exactly apologized, and she didn’t seem like she’d be willing to accept it anyway. There was something about talking to her that had brightened his spirits. Now if only he could get his mouth to stop saying stupid stuff, maybe he could have a chance with her.

Nate winked at the receptionist as he headed up to his office. It was later than he’d hoped, but the shoot for Bróga Shoes had gone longer than planned. He had a couple of calls, and then he needed to pick up his date. Allison wouldn’t leave his head, and he was desperate for a distraction. It had been a few days since that night in the bar, but he couldn’t get past the hurt in her eyes.

The office was mostly empty as he walked down the hallway to his desk. His laptop blinked on as he dropped into his chair and called the modeling agency and photographers he’d need for the next couple of weeks.

He sent out the email to Mr. Byrne with the information for the shoot the next day and moved onto the next account.

“Hey, Nate?” Debra’s voice made him jump. She stood in the doorway, leaning against the wall.

“Yeah?” He was surprised she came to his office. Usually she called him into hers.

“Mr. Byrne is a little concerned with how things are going with the shoot.” Debra frowned. “He’s thinking of pulling it.”

Nate felt like he’d been punched in the gut. “What? We’re doing exactly what he okayed. He was there this morning and loved it.”

Debra put a hand up. “I know. Look, I know you can make him change his mind. I talked him into having dinner with you tonight. He wants to go back to his roots, and it’s your job to figure out how to do it.”

So much for his date. He closed his computer. “What time?”

“Eight o’clock. I sent you the rest of the details. Good luck.” Debra moved to leave, but turned around. “This account is huge. Do whatever you can to keep it.”

“Will do.” He was already giving up a date, but he needed this to work. A glance at the clock told him he needed to get going if he was going to make it to dinner. The directions were to an old Irish pub. Nate shook his head. The lengths he went for this job. But he could use a drink, and he’d heard this was a great place to get one.

As he headed for the elevator, he pulled out his phone to text his date. He hated ending it over a text, but he’d have to run and wouldn’t have time for a phone call. Of course, it also meant he wouldn’t have to hear the disappointment in her voice.

It took a few minutes to snag a taxi. They pulled out into traffic just as his date replied,  saying they’d have to go out later that week. Nate smiled. That was a lot better than he’d expected. He texted back, telling her that he’d contact her as soon as he could.

The pub was small and when he opened the door, he was surprised to see the neat tables and quiet atmosphere. He’d expected something like Eddie’s where you could barely hear over everyone else. Mr. Byrne waved him over to a booth where he sat with a drink.

“I’m glad you found the place. Why don’t you order and then we can get down to business?” Mr. Byrne smiled and gestured toward the menu.

Nate sat across from him and looked through the options. “What do you suggest?”

“The stew is my favorite, but a lot of people like the steak as well.” Mr. Byrne waved a waitress over.

“I think I’ll try the stew.” Nate smiled at the waitress, but she didn’t respond as she wrote down his order and walked away.

Mr. Byrne chuckled. “Don’t mind her. She usually works in the kitchen, but they were short staffed.”

“You eat here often, then?” Nate glanced around, noting the old knickknacks that covered the walls and shelves.

“It’s my nephew’s place. He took it over from his dad.” Mr. Byrne studied Nate. “So, what did you think about the shoot today?”

Nate hesitated before answering. “It doesn’t matter what I thought if you weren’t happy with it. I’m there to make you money by selling the product in the best way we can. I think this commercial could do that, but if it’s not what you want, we’ll change it.”

“It’s not that I didn’t like the concept. Your ideas were wonderful. I just didn’t feel like it was the way I wanted to go with the ad.” He leaned back and folded his arms, staring off in the distance. “Do you know much about the plight of the Irish here in the US?”

“A little. Why?” Nate had studied it in school, but had never cared to learn more about the culture. And at that moment, he regretted the decision.

“We had to leave Ireland to escape the famine and try to make a new life for ourselves here. But we had to deal with a lot of the same starvation once we got here as well. It wasn’t easy.”

The waitress brought out Nate’s stew, and this time she smiled. “You just had to get him started, didn’t you?”

“I guess so.” Nate took a bite of the stew. “Wow, this is really good. Thank you.”

She beamed. “Of course. Let me know if you want any more.”

Mr. Byrne smiled as she left the table, then he tried some of his as well. “She outdid herself this time. One of the better recipes I’ve had here.”

Nate savored the perfectly cooked vegetables in the rich broth as he finished off the bowl. He pushed it to the side wanting more, but it was filling and he didn’t think he could eat another bite. “What did you have in mind for the commercial?”