Page 80 of One Last Verse

I was melting like ice cream that’s been shoved into a microwave. I didn’t like how easily he’d manipulated me into feeling the way I was feeling at that moment—lost.

“I miss you too,” I confessed.

“Then why aren’t you here with me?”

“You know why.”

He quieted for a few moments, then asked, “I disappointed you, didn’t I?”

My throat felt tight and my voice grew tiny. “Yes.”

“I’m sorry.”

“You don’t have to keep saying you’re sorry, Frank. I know you are. I also don’t want you to promise me anything until you get the help you need.”

“It’s going to be okay, doll. Just give me a little time.”

His whisper was like a warm balm, soothing me with reassurance. I heard it in the faint pull of his breath and the subtle change of his tone.He wanted to get better.

“You have all the time you need,” I said quietly. “I’m not going anywhere.”

“You better not. We’re worldwide, remember?”

A silly smile stretched my lips. At that moment, my heart believed him.

“Look, Frank, I’d love to chat some more, but Levi and I are meeting with the manager of Melrose Cinema tomorrow morning. I’m hoping to lock in that venue and I don’t want to look like a zombie. I should get some sleep.”

“Melrose Cinema?” Frank drawled, curious. “Isn’t that the red building on the corner of San Vicente?”

“Yes. It is. Have you been inside?” My inner geek came out and I went on to describe the interior. The owner of the place was a retired entrepreneur who’d work for Warner Brothers back in the ’80s. His daughter, who managed the theater, was a tough woman to catch. Apparently, she handled several properties, and I hoped to impress her with our proposal. The venue was perfect. Location, capacity, vibe.

“I don’t think I’ve been inside the building,” Frank finally said. “But we used to play in the club across the street. Right after I moved to L.A. They closed the place down in 2006.”

“When was the last time you went to the movies?”

“Hmmm, good question. I don’t remember.”

“Do you want to go?”

“To the movies?”

“Yes.”

He paused and I sensed his hesitation. Part of me wanted to rescind the offer. People like Frank didn’t go to the movies. Theaters were for regular folks who wouldn’t be recognized in public. Besides, the tabloids weren’t being kind to him right now.

“You know what?” I shoved the thought to the back of my head. “Don’t worry about it. It’s a really stupid idea.”

“No, no. It’s a great idea.” He perked up. “How about tomorrow?”

A ragged breath left my lungs. “I have a lot work.”

“I have to see you, Cassy. I’ll be in the middle of nowhere for three months with no access to phone or internet. I can’t go without talking to you. You know we need to. One night. Let’s have one night to ourselves. Just me and you and nothing else; so I can take these memories with me instead of the bad ones.”

He was too hard to resist. “Okay, but I’ll drive. I don’t want Roman taking us around town in a limo. Only the two of us.”

“Okay. Fair enough. But in my car. We’re going in style.”

“Deal. I’ll see you tomorrow. Let’s say five?” I couldn’t believe I was agreeing to this after everything that had happened between us, but deep down, I knew Frank needed closure. So did I.

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