Page 74 of Dangerous Encore
"It's been almost twoyearsnow."
"Ithas."
"Have you thought about yournextstep?"
It's matter of fact, not accusatory, but it still makes my back tense. Dad expects me to go places in theworld.
I set my tea on the coffee table and fold my hands in my lap. "I've learned a lot. It's getting to be time tomoveon."
His expression brightens. "Are you going to stay at yourcompany?"
"I think so. We're a division of a huge label, so there's a lot of room to grow. But we're doing our own thing. It's mostly Alessandra, Liv, and Jayce. Only Jaycejustquit."
"You're up for apromotion?"
"It's a possibility." I bite my tongue. It's more than that. Alessandra offered me the job. But I can't tell Dad I'm thinking of nottakingit.
He won'tunderstand.
Or maybe he will. Dad is more than a lawyer with a drive to succeed. He loves jazz, he runs in the park, he reads as much asIdo.
He would have done anythingforMom.
For meandAnne.
I take a deep breath and I explain my current role—a mix of kissing ass, negotiation, conflict management, and calming down musicians who are freaking out. It takes empathy and quick thinking as much as it takes a will ofsteel.
Then I explain Alessandra's job, how it would be different. I'd need more will of steel and less empathy. I'd be the one making the tough calls, doing the math, explaining why musicians need to cave or hold out for a higher percentage of ticketsales.
I can do the extra logistics no problem. I can step in during a blizzard, when all the flights are canceled, and find a bus with snow chains. I can schedule around hospital stays, family events, movie shoots. I can dry out the backstage of a gin soaked venue in notimeflat.
It's being a hard-ass thatscaresme.
Having all that responsibility on myshoulders.
My job already demands a lotofme.
I can't do itandraise achild.
Not with Joel ontheroad.
I clear my throat and finish explaining how I'll have to alternate good cop and bad cop roles tomydad.
"It's not that different than negotiating a settlement." He smiles. "I'm proudofyou."
"You are?" I don't mean to sound so surprised, but I can'thelpit.
"Yes. At first, I thought you'd made a mistake marrying Joel. I didn't want to see you become another one of those women who gave up their career foraman."
Inod.
"You've done well. It takes courage to carve out a path foryourself."
"Thanks, Daddy. That meansalot."
He nods. "Do you have a numberinmind?"
I can't help but laugh. He shifts back to business mode so quickly. Affection and honesty doesn't come easily to Chases. "It's not all aboutmoney."
