Page 26 of Release

“It hurt her a lot. She kind of hates me now.”

“That’s no surprise.” She needed this craziness off her mind to get her song out the way she wanted. She took a breath and turned to leave the sound booth. None of this was Wilkes’ sister’s fault. “Look. Tell Emma-Jane I miss her too. Maybe you can drop her off at my place on the weekend for lunch or something…just her. Not you.”

“She’ll want me there.”

“I thought she kinda hates you?”

“Come on, Lex. Just come to dinner tonight at my house, spend some time with her, then leave whenever you want.”

“I’m busy,” she added.

“Tomorrow, then.” He was not letting this go.

“I’m pretty sure I’m all booked up. Jeez, Wilkes.”

“Lexxi Rock, Emma-Jane really looks up to you. Come on. Do this for her.”

She paused at the door and looked over her shoulder at him. Wilkes took two strides towards her, jeans hugging his body, cowboy boots making no sound on the carpet. He tucked his cowboy hat on his head and hooked his fingers into his belt loops. With his wide shoulders filling out a red Henley shirt, he looked the picture of the American dream. Alexandra didn’t even think he’d ever ridden a horse, but something about the get-up added a ruggedness he wouldn’t otherwise possess. She scanned his face.

He kept a respectful distance between them, thankfully. She took a glance in the direction of the sound proof glass. Everyone back there studiously avoided staring. “A friendly dinner,” Wilkes added.

“Christ. Okay, but only because it’s Emma-Jane. Put me down tentatively for tomorrow night. If anything comes up, I’ll call and let you know.”

“You just made me the happiest man in the building.”

“Don’t you mean Emma-Jane, cowboy?”

“Yes, she’ll be tickled.”