Page 54 of Royal Bosshole

“Thank you.” I paused and leaned against the stone wall of a shop, unsure if my legs would keep holding me up. It was strange. James had found me when my life was in shambles. He'd hurt me badly and then when he was gone, it was as if he was the catalyst to make everything right again. To make everything great.

“You're welcome. So, I would love to meet with you. I will be in New Orleans in a few days if you'd like to meet up.”

“Yes, that would be great. Perfect. Can we meet at my coffee shop?”

“I'd love to. So, today is Saturday, right? I will be there on Tuesday. We can meet then.”

“Great. Thanks, Hank. And I will send you the location, and then you just let me know what time on Tuesday you're free to meet.”

“Excellent. Lily, thanks so much. We'll see you then. Bye, bye.”

“Bye.” I had to make sure that the phone was completely turned off before I squealed with delight.

I started doing a little dance right on the edge of the curb and then I just started breathing hard.

Oh my God, Oh my God. I can't believe it.

I was in a daze as I walked the rest of the way to the coffee shop. When I got inside, it was busy as usual, and Jen waved at me from behind the counter.

“Oh my god oh my god,” I said softly, rushing to get behind next to her. “I just got a call from a music agent. He’s coming to meet me in a few days!”

“Whoa, that’s incredible, Lily! Congratulations!” She gave me a hug, and tears gathered in my eyes.

“Thanks. I just can’t believe it.” I was so excited, and I knew that Stevie and April would be over the moon about it, but I was still sad that I couldn’t tell James.

That I couldn't share with him this amazing news.

Why are you still thinking about that dickhead? He hurt you, yet you can't stop thinking about him.

“You deserve it, Lily. Your music is incredible. I can't believe you kept it from everyone for so long.”

“Thanks, Jen. So, can you grab me a pumpkin spice latte? I’m going to the back.”

“Yeah, sure thing. I just wanted to let you know that someone's come in for you.”

I turned around. And I hated myself for the fact that my first thought was that James suddenly returned from Lenovia, ready to talk.

But he wouldn't be coming. I was the one who ran away. I was the one who couldn't handle the whole big spotlight, all the responsibility on my shoulders. I was looking for love from someone that couldn't love me back. Even though there had been times when I wondered if he did feel something for me. There had been unfinished sentences, long looks, and the way he’d not tried to force me into saving his country.

“Yeah, it's someone from the club down the street. There, that woman there with the dark hair.” Jen pointed.

“Thanks, I'll go check it out.”

I left the counter, still buzzing from the excitement from the fall, and I smiled when I walked up to her table.

“Hi, I’m Lily. Jen says that you've come talk to me?”

“Yes, hi!” She stood up. “I’m Harriet,” she said, holding her hand out to shake. “I own this jazz club down the street. I'm sure you've seen it. Bogart’s.”

She was in her fifties and dressed like she was in another time period about sixty years ago. I loved it.

“Oh yeah, for sure. I always wanted to go in there, but I was always afraid. Looks amazing. I love the aesthetic.”

She started laughing. “Well then, you'll enjoy this. We have singers come in and sing on certain nights and we would love to have you, especially since you're a local, and we’re both business owners. And if you want, we can include a promotion for your coffee shop as well on the night you sing.”

“Wow, you’re serious? I'd love to.” I had the great temptation to pinch myself to make sure I wasn't still sleeping because this was kind of crazy.

It seemed almost too good to be true, and it was all in one day.

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