Page 53 of The Rebel

Daisy smiled at her. “I’m great. Can’t believe all the participants are so talented.”

“I know, right? The guy before this one was so good. I hope he signs a contract tonight.”

Almost unwittingly, I glanced at Daisy. She started to blush, but she nodded without replying. I had no idea who played while we were in the office.

“Uncle Anthony, is this the most interesting evening, or are the next ones even better?”

Chad made a small noise that sounded a lot like a groan. I stared at my brother, trying to figure out what that meant. Then slowly, her question started to make sense. I knew my niece well enough. She was trying to gauge if she could convince her dad to let her come again.

“Opening night is always a highlight. Besides, you only came to get that picture, right? With the… most talented participant.”

I couldn’t get myself to say “hottest guy.” I still wanted to forget she’d said it.

“I already did that. Scarlett gave me her phone.” She looked around for a second, then back at me. “I like this place. Makes me look cool that I’m here. That’s why I want to come again. Daaad, maybe I can learn a thing or two about jazz by coming here.”

Oh, she was good. Even Daisy seemed to pick up on where this was going, because she was laughing.

Bella then turned to Daisy. “What do you think, Daisy? Will the other nights be as interesting as this one?”

“It’s my first time, so I have no idea. But tonight is fun, isn’t it?”

Bella nodded, sipping from her orange juice. “Yes, it is. But I think the next ones will be even more fun.”

She was definitely starting to have FOMO.

She looked at me questioningly, and I knew I needed to give her an answer.

“Some evenings are great, and some are just okay,” I said honestly. “It depends on what they choose to play and so on.”

“Dad, can we come to the next one too?”

“We’ll see,” Chad said.

“Yes!” She clapped her hands and then jumped down from the chair, coming to hug me. “Thank you, Uncle Anthony.”

“What did he do?” Chad asked. “I’m the one who said yes.”

But Bella didn’t let go, and I hugged her right back. Nowadays, she didn’t want to give as many hugs as before, so I cherished every single one.

Once Bella released me, Scarlett said, “Hey, I see some chairs in the front. Do you want to go sit there?”

“Yes. Let’s go,” Bella exclaimed.

“If you guys let me know when you’re coming next, I can reserve seats,” I told them.

“Or you can just email me anytime,” Daisy said.

Bella looked at Daisy as if she was her new favorite person. “Yes, Daddy, can you tell her when we’ll come next?”

Chad laughed. “I’ll think about it and let you know, Daisy. Thank you.”

Once the three of them walked to the front, Julian came over to us.

“You two look like you need a drink,” he stated as Daisy and I set the gift bags next to the bar. They were to be handed to each performer before they left for the evening. As usual, my brother could read me well.

“Oh,” Daisy exclaimed.

“Damn, it’s that bad, huh?” Julian said. “Clearly Sazerac should come to the rescue.”