Page 91 of His Bittersweet Regret

“Ms. Morgan?” He attempted again. Marsh pulled me back away from the man and into his embrace, which made the stranger smirk.

“Relax, I’m not here to steal your girl,” he said in a calm tone. “I’m here to talk to her about using some of her lyrics for one of my clients.”

“One of your clients?” I asked skeptically.

“Misty Ramirez.” He offered a card along with the very familiar name. Misty Ramirez might be new on the pop charts, but she was absolutely a princess in the making. It didn’t hurt that she sang to an older generation, about things like love, loss, and redemption. Exactly the type of song I’d played on stage only moments ago.

“If you’re interested in having a sit down to discuss the use of your lyrics, or possible songwriting collaborations, give me a call and I’ll arrange a meeting.”

“May I ask how your client would possibly be familiar with my lyrics?”

“She thought you might ask.” He grinned widely, showing off two deep dimples in his cheeks as he did. Bethany clung to my arm tightly, nearly pushing Marsh out of the way. There was no denying my best friend had developed a quick and brutal crush on the stranger in the suit.”

“Misty has been following your videos for quite some time. Her niece was in your class last year, and spoke very highly of her music teacher.”

I thought about which student it might have been, but couldn’t pinpoint anyone off the top of my head. The man looked down and checked his phone. “Now that she’s safely away, I can also say that Ms. Ramirez caught your show tonight. She wanted to congratulate you in person, but unfortunately fame has caught up with her early. Some of the women in the back of the audience recognized her and security had to work fast to get her out of there.”

“I understand. May I ask your name?”

He nodded to my hand. “It’s there on the card, in case you forget, but my name is Austin Beckworth.”

“Now, if that isn’t some strange set of coincidences,” Bethany mumbled.

“Pardon?” The man questioned.

It was my turn to flash a grin to the man. “Our son,” I indicated to myself and Marsh, “is named Austin as well. It almost feels like a sign.”

“I’m betting Misty would agree with you. Give me a call, I’ll get the two of you in touch. She’ll be nearby visiting family for a few days. So, if you get in touch quickly, we can make sure you are able to meet face-to-face and maybe get some work done.”

“That would be a dream,” I said without thinking. That was why I didn’t play poker. There had never been an easy way to hide my excitement about something.

“Perfect.” The man shook each of our hands, and lingered slightly longer when he got to Bethany. “Sorry, I didn’t catch your name.”

“I didn’t throw it,” she sassed him. I could have sworn I heard the man growl, but Bethany took it easy on him and offered her name anyway. “I’m Bethany.”

“I hope we have the pleasure of meeting again, Bethany.”

“You and me both,” she insisted, much to Austin’s delight. Those dimples were out in full-force once again as he finished his goodbyes and took off.

“Girl! When you go to a meeting, because I know you will, I am so there with you. I’d like to have that man with my morning coffee, if you get my drift.”

I couldn’t help but laugh as Marsh’s chest rumbled behind me. “At least I don’t have to worry about the suit with your best friend around.”

“You never had to worry about him, anyway. No one has ever compared to you,” I explained.

“Nor you,” he added before kissing me on my nose.

“Okay, you saps, time for drinks.”

“Actually, I think I just want to get home and check on Austin,” I told her.

“Damn, and here I thought we were going to ply you with alcohol, make a scene, maybe get arrested for old time’s sake,” Bethany grumbled as she rolled her eyes.

“We have never been arrested, so there’s no old time’s sake to be had where that’s concerned,” I argued.

“I know. What I meant to say was that I knew you’d dip out quickly to get home to your family. I love that about you, though. So, go with my blessings and remember our talk from earlier. Just let go and be in the moment!”

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