Page 110 of Red Hot Harmony

“Frank and Izzy—you met her at the engagement party—have something in the works and I’m involved. We’re hoping the project will take off, but it’s still in the early stages, and we’re not sure if we should invest the amount of money this endeavor requires with the lawsuit hanging over us. It could be over in a couple of months or the label could drag us through the courts for years. There’s no telling how it’ll go just yet.”

“I’m sorry to hear about that. I had no idea these things could take years.” My gaze drifted to Dante for a second.

“Oh yeah. Big record labels are hard to fight, especially if every time an artist’s song is played on the radio or in a movie or a commercial, they get a hefty sum. Why would they want to give up the masters of those money-makers?”

“Are you worried?”

Cassy’s face hardened a little and I instantly regretted asking the question.

“I’m sorry, I shouldn’t... It’s none of my business.”

“Well, it probably is if you and Dante are serious.” She turned her head in the direction of the men, her expression lighting up.

“I’m not sure what we are,” I confessed quietly, but the words most likely couldn’t be heard over the din of the excited male voices anyway.

“He’s definitely not all sunshine and rainbows.” She leaned forward, as if whatever she was going to say next was a huge secret. “But for what it’s worth, I think you and your daughter made a big difference in his life. Even we noticed, and we hardly see him these days.”

I blushed.

I freaking blushed because, apparently, I was responsible for positive changes in Dante’s behavior.

“Okay!” Frank’s voice carried from across the room. “Anyone up for a game to pass the time?”

“What are we playing?” Cassy pushed her chair back and rose to her feet.

Full and unable to eat another bite, I followed her lead.

“I don’t know.” Dante shrugged, emerging to stand by his side with his hands buried in the pockets of his not-date-appropriate-pants. “Never Have I Ever? Black Jack? Water Pong?”

We spent the next few hours occupied by Truth or Dare Lite.

No delicate topics were touched.

No insensitive questions were asked.

No deep, dark secrets were revealed.

It was respectful and silly and exactly what I needed to get my mind of things while Ally was sleeping off the consequences of her bender.

Around midnight, everyone took their leave.

Locking myself in the bathroom, I called Harper.

“Are you really all right, sweets?” he asked, voice low and sounding a little worried.

“I’m fine.”

“And Ally?”

“She’ll be okay in the morning.”

“I’m glad. Did you two make it home?”

“No, we couldn’t get through. We’re staying with Dante’s friends in Malibu.”

“Oh, shit. You’re gonna be stuck there for a while.”

“I haven’t been checking the news.”

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