“And I wasn’t expecting you.”
“What are you doing here?” they both asked at the same time.
“I just came to ask about you,” Adrienne said.
“And I came to ask your help,” Nick said.
“Yeah? With what?”
He pushed some papers toward her. “With these.”
“What are they?”
“Contracts. I’ve been offered a deal with Urban Records.”
“Wow, Nick! That’s awesome.”
He blinked. “You know more about contracts than I do, so…”
“Do you really want to do this?”
He took a seat behind his desk. “I do. I saw a lot of things while I was traveling and some of them were hard. It’s not right that there’s so much grinding poverty while, well, I have a lot I can give.” He waved at the crowded café before pushing the contract closer to her. “As you can see, the Urban folks are offering a lot of money. A whole lot.” He lifted his gaze to hers. “And if I have a chance to help others, don’t you think I should take it?”
“Of course, but Nick, they’re going to want you to sing in front—”
He nodded. “I’m working on it. I think I can do it, with a little of your help.” He pushed another paper toward her.
“What’s this?”
“It’s a contract.”
“But for what?”
He stepped around the desk and took her in his arms. “For you, when you’re ready. I want you to be my legal counsel. But not just that… I want you to be a part of my life.”
“And we need a contract for that?”
“And a license—when you’re ready.” He lowered his lips and kissed her long and deep. “Remember how I told you this was just the beginning?”
Two Months Later
Olympic Avenue and Main Street were both insane. Traffic moved like turtles. Finally, Adrienne parked her car and got out to walk to the school. Nerves fluttered in her chest. Could Nick really handle all this attention?
The closer she got to the school, the crazier the mobs. A helicopter flew overhead. And then another. Helicopters. Really?
Someone, somewhere, played with the microphones, and a high-pitched squeal tore the air. Where had all these people come from? She found it hard to pick out the locals from the visitors, but she suspected everyone knew exactly who she was. People would look at her, their eyes would widen, and then they’d look quickly away.
Adrienne spotted her mom and dad near the makeshift stage that the faculty had set up on the school’s playground. Her dad huddled in his wheelchair while her mom sat in a metal folding chair beside him, holding his hand. Both of their faces radiated excitement. People made room for Adrienne—most of them wore knowing smiles.
“Hey, Mom, Dad,” Adrienne said. “Is today a good day?”
“A very good day,” Dad said, his speech only slightly slurred.
“We got the best seats in the house,” Mom said with a wink.
“Thanks to me and Old Ironsides here,” Dad said, giving his wheelchair an affectionate pat.
“Oh, I think Adrienne could have gotten us prime placement even without you,” Mom said.
