Grace Unplugged: A Novel (17 page)

So she told him about her childhood and how they spent so much time on the road because of her dad’s music. But instead of calling it a “ministry” like Dad always did, she called it a “career.” She described how her dad taught her to play guitar and piano when she was little. She even told him about how she was the rock star in her church but how she wanted more. She told him that she’d been writing a really great song this week. “For my next release,” she explained. “Mossy thinks Sapphire will want me to do an album.”

“And you will.” He raised his glass to her. “To your big break and a big album, Gracie Trey. And the one after that and the one after that.”

Mossy was pacing back and forth, rubbing his chin and trying to come up with a good angle. An angle he could sell to Sally. He and Sally Benson of WideSpin were meeting in a Sapphire conference room, and for some reason—probably just because she could—Sally was being cantankerous. He’d known Sally for nearly thirty years, and to say she was jaded about the music business was definitely an understatement. And yet she made her living reporting on the goings-on of the music industry. Rather the gossip.

“Look,” he said. “Don’t forget who gave you the tip in the first place.”

She frowned up from her laptop. “What are you saying, Moss? Don’t you
like
the layout? Keep in mind, it’s just a mock-up. But you gotta admit the photo of Jay and Gracie is priceless. Very
provocative
.”

“The photo is good, and I’m glad Gracie never figured it out.” He pointed to her computer screen. “But the headline. I thought we agreed you’d include Gracie’s name.”

She scowled at him. “Hey, for a guy who hasn’t had a hit in a decade, you’re awfully pushy.”

“And you wouldn’t have an exclusive if it wasn’t for me.”

She pursed her bright red lips, then nodded. “Fair enough.”

Mossy smiled. “Plus, this girl’s gonna get me back on the map.”

“Speaking of the girl, I thought you said she was meeting us here today.”

“She’s on her way. Kendra picked her up.”

As Grace and Kendra entered the Sapphire lobby, Kendra continued to quiz Grace on her date with Jay.

“I still can’t believe you didn’t call me for fashion advice.” Kendra made a pout face.

“I thought you said you liked what I chose for the date.”

“Yeah, well, I would’ve liked to have had a say in it too.” Kendra pushed the up button for the elevator.

Grace laughed. “Okay, next time.”

“Aha, so there’s a next time.”

“I didn’t say—”

“But you want to go out with him again, don’t you?” Kendra led the way into the elevator, which was thankfully empty except for them. Grace wasn’t exactly ready to go public with her relationship with Jay Grayson. If it even was a relationship. “You do, don’t you?” Kendra pushed the button for the conference room floor.

Grace held up her hands helplessly. “Yeah, maybe, I don’t know.”

Kendra chuckled. “That’s what I like—a girl who really knows her mind. So, tell me, what else did you do on your fabulous date?”

“Mostly we just laughed a lot. We talked and talked and talked.” Grace sighed. “Oh, Kendra, he was such a gentleman. It was just so much fun.”

“All right, I’m officially jealous,” Kendra declared as they emerged from the elevator.

“Oh, please, you can get any guy.”

“It’s getting the
right
guy that’s the problem. Now back to you and Jay. When are you going out again?” she asked as they walked down the long hallway to the conference room.

“I don’t know.” Grace bit her lip. “Think I should call him?”

“No way. Let him call you. After all, you’re Gracie Trey.”

“That’s right.” Grace struck a rock star pose in front of the conference room door. “I’m Gracie Trey.”

Kendra chuckled. “Yeah. It’s all about the attitude.”

Grace frowned at the door. “I know we’re running late,” she said quietly. “Think I have time to use the restroom?”

“You’re Gracie Trey,” Kendra said with an amused smile. “Ms. Sally Benson can wait.”

Grace giggled as she hurried back down the hall to the bathroom. She was trying not to feel nervous about this meeting, but meeting Sally for the first time was a bit overwhelming. She’d been reading her blog for ages, and now Sally wanted to talk to Grace. It was just too much. Grace was just imagining what she’d say to Sally as she pushed open the restroom door. In the same moment someone came barreling out, nearly knocking her down. To her confused surprise it was the same guy who’d scared the stuffing out of her at her apartment the other day—the intern from Sapphire.

“What are you doing in there?” she demanded hotly. First he breaks into her apartment, and now he’s hanging in the women’s restroom—what was wrong with this dude?

“Uh,” he pointed to the sign on the door. “It’s the men’s room.”

Her eyes grew wide as she read the sign. “Well, of course it is.” She made a wimpy smile. “Sorry about that.”

“Is this gonna be a pattern?” He sounded like he was trying to make a joke. “I mean bumping into each other—not . . . uh, the men’s room.” He waved his hand as if to erase his bad joke. “Never mind.”

Without answering, she gave him a curious look before she asked herself,
What am I doing out here chatting with an intern when Sally Benson is waiting?
“Excuse me.”

“So, you liking it?” he asked before she could turn away.

“What?”

“The life. LA. The whole scene.”

She stood straight and smiled. “I was born for this.”

“Cool . . . because to be honest I was a little surprised when I heard you signed with Sapphire.”

She studied him closely now. What was he saying—was that meant as an insult? “Why?” she asked cautiously.

“Oh, nothing bad. Just . . . you and your dad . . . you played at our church a couple of years ago.”

Grace tried not to act shocked. This guy had been in one of those churches? Why hadn’t he told her that before?

“We were living in Florida, my family and I.”

An unwanted flashback slapped her right across the face. A pathetic Grace, wearing a sad little hand-me-down dress, singing like a puppet, sitting like a mouse on the pew . . . so humiliating. “Uh, what was your name again?” she asked meekly.

“Quentin.” He peered curiously at her. “So, yeah, I kinda assumed you’d still be doing that kind of thing. I mean, I think it rocks that you’re here. Definitely need light in this industry.”

Grace felt completely dumbfounded. It was like he’d thrown a bucket of ice water over her head.

“Hey, I don’t want to keep you. Looked like you were in a hurry.”

“Oh, yeah. Right.” Still feeling stunned, she turned away.

“When you see your dad,” he called out, “tell him we’re fans. And not just for the music, you know? He’s touched a lot of lives with his message too.”

Grace went into the women’s restroom feeling like she had just been blindsided. Going into the stall, she forced herself to take some deep breaths and steady herself. No big deal. So what if some intern knew more about her past than she’d have liked. It wasn’t like it was some big secret. Sure, she didn’t want guys like Jay Grayson to know all these details. But what difference did it make if Quentin what’s-his-name knew?

Feeling a little calmer—and way more down to earth—Grace entered the conference room.

“Well, there she is,” Mossy said.

“And about time,” a slightly dowdy middle-aged woman said in a gruff voice. Grace did a double take. This woman was none other than Sally Benson.

“I’m sorry,” Grace told them. “But nature was calling, you know?”

They laughed, and the atmosphere in the room lightened a bit.

“Wait’ll you see these photos,” Kendra said. “You look so hot. And you were absolutely right about that cocktail dress, Gracie. It’s perfect.”

Grace went over to where they were gathered around a laptop and was shocked to see the layout for an article that appeared to be about her and Jay Grayson. “Who took these pictures?” she asked Mossy. “I mean, I saw paparazzi outside.” She pointed to a shot of them walking into the restaurant. “But this one in the lounge?” She shook her head. “I didn’t see anyone with a camera.”

“You know how cameras are these days,” Mossy told her. “Everybody’s got one on their phone or—”

“But we were the only ones in there . . . at first anyway.” She frowned to see the shot of her holding her cocktail glass and laughing happily. What would her family and friends say when they saw that? Maybe it didn’t matter. Maybe it was for the best. It was about time everyone figured it out. Gracie Trey was in it for the long run. Gracie Trey was here to stay. Before long she was seated across from Sally and, with the mic in front of her, she was answering questions for Sally’s blog.

“So tell me, Gracie,” Sally said, “how did you meet Jay Grayson.”

“Jay came to one of my shows. Mossy introduced us, and we just hit it off. He’s a really fun guy.”

“Is he a good kisser?” Sally asked with arched brows.

“Oh, we’ve only had one date,” Grace said quickly.

Sally gave her a doubtful look.

“Can I inject something,” Kendra said. “To help Gracie. Didn’t you say you’d edit this later?”

“Sure,” Sally said eagerly. “Gracie could use some help. Otherwise we’ll be putting my fans to sleep with this.”

“How about if Gracie returns it with a question?” Kendra pointed at Grace. “Sally asks you ‘Is he a good kisser?’ and you say,
‘What do you think, Sally?’
and put a little sass in it, okay?”

“I like it,” Sally confirmed.

Grace gave Kendra a look now—like what? But Kendra just returned with a
trust-me
look. Just then Mossy’s assistant stepped into the room. She whispered something to Mossy, and he nodded. “Send him in,” he said quietly.

“We’ll step away from Jay for the moment,” Sally told Grace. “Let’s talk about your dad instead. He gave up his career for religion. What’s he doing these days?”

“He’s a full-time music pastor at our—I mean—
his
church.”

“I get it.” She wrote something down in her notebook. “I assume he brought you up religious. How has that affected you as an artist?”

Grace was just trying to think of a good answer when there was another knock at the door. Mossy opened it, and this time Quentin was there. In his hands was a vase full of red roses.

“Come in,” Mossy said warmly, as if expecting him.

“Thanks. These are for Grace. And they’re, uh, not from me.”

She tossed him an awkward smile. Did he really think she’d assume he’d brought her roses?

“Sorry for the interruption,” Quentin stepped back to the door.

“Hey, stick around,” Kendra called to him. “In case Gracie needs something.”

Looking a little uneasy, Quentin remained by the door, watching as Grace removed the card.

“So, who’s the secret admirer?” Sally asked in teasing tone.

Grace read the card. “They’re from Jay,” she said quietly.

Sally slapped the table. “Sure they are. Of course. This is priceless. Readers will love it. Jay Grayson sends . . .” She peered at the bouquet. “Not just one dozen, mind you, but two dozen perfect red roses.” She chuckled. “That’s fantastic. Just perfect.”

Kendra moved the roses to the other end of the table, and Sally turned back to Grace. “All right, where’d we leave off?” She looked back at her notes. “Oh, yes, your dad’s religion. How’s that affected you, Gracie?”

Grace hadn’t meant to make eye contact with Quentin, but it was too late. He returned her gaze with the tiniest of nods, as if to encourage her . . . but to do what?

“Well, my dad, he um . . .” She tried to form her words. “Well he takes his faith very seriously. He . . . he’s all about God, and . . . stuff. But he’s just really happy for me and excited that I’m doing this.”

Mossy smiled at her, as if this was just what he wanted her to say, but Quentin looked slightly confused.

“Is that good enough?” Grace asked Sally.

“It’s your interview,” Sally said in a flat tone.

Grace could tell by Kendra’s expression, she was flunking this test. “This is all so new to me,” she confessed. “I know it should be more interesting. I just don’t know how . . .”