Page 64 of Whiskey and Regret

“Okay, okay. It says Hey, I heard from a few people who follow your page closely that your name is Xari Lucas and you’re a beast with the harp. Do you play at weddings? Let’s link-up. I’ll give you my fiancé’s information.” I reached a trembling hand to my slack mouth and tried to steady my breathing.

For so long I’d played the harp without looking for notoriety. I loved the way playing made me feel. I loved the sounds and the music I made. I lived to top myself every day. Eventually, I wanted to get a job doing what I loved but that was it. Being noticed by someone huge like Damon was astounding and beyond anything I ever wanted.

My posture stiffened as I started to reply. I had no idea what to even say in response. Navy placed her hand over mine and said, “Wait. Don’t respond yet. You need time to breathe.”

“He sent this like two hours ago. I have to respond now.”

“No, you don’t. Take ten minutes and center yourself.” She rubbed my stiff shoulders and breathed in and out slowly until I matched her. “Let’s sit. Make some coffee and let’s go to your room. I’m going to call Senator Freeman and figure out what he wants me to do with the rest of his day.”

I wanted to talk to Evander too but not because I wanted to know about his day. I wanted to tell him about going viral and ask his opinion about how I should handle it. I loved listening to the way he broke problems down. It was like every challenge was a chapter for him to plot out.

I made coffee for me and Navy, then motioned for her to follow me to my room. After she got off the phone with Evander she sighed. “Okay, I can shift all his stuff around and then we’ll talk about how much you should charge for your harp playing services.”

“Yeah. I was wondering about that. Navy, I’ve never had anyone want to pay me to play before. Not like this. I’ve been on talk shows and stuff but I’ve never done a private event. I never thought about it as something I could do.”

“Are you serious right now? Girl, you’re amazing. I had no idea why you weren’t charging an arm and a leg to play at weddings and parties in the first place.”

“I don’t know either.” Adrenaline buzzed through my veins. “I need to call Evander,” I blurted. Mindlessly, I dialed his number while I sipped on the mug of hot coffee. I didn’t realize Navy was staring at me until I felt her curious gaze burning through my skin.

“Xari, is everything okay?” His deep voice soothed the nerves nipping at my insides.

“Yeah…are you busy?”

“I’m always busy but I make time for what I want to make time for.” I heard voices in the background and then in the next second, it was silent.

“Evander?” I asked, frowning.

“I’m here. Now, what is it? Frankie okay?”

“Frankie is fine.”

“Okay, so what’s going on?”

“Remember last month when you told me to figure out a way to make extra income?”

“I do. You never did your homework assignment, Miss Lucas.” I bit my bottom lip and wrangled the smile trying to burn its way onto my face.

“Well, does it count if I turn it in late?” I asked, trying not to purr like a happy kitten.

“Let’s hear what your idea is first.” I heard the suave smile in his voice and it made my thighs tingle.

“What do you think about me playing at events?” I stroked my neck thinking about how good his mouth felt there.

“I think that’s an amazing idea, Xari. You could make a lot of money doing events on the weekends.”

“You think so?” I smiled and bit my bottom lip.

“I do. You’re amazing on the harp. Almost as amazing as you are on my dick.” His voice turned hot and it licked my ears with flames. I glanced at Navy who was staring at me like a fucking creep and angled myself away from her. I knew my face was turning red.

“Wow…Thank you, Evander. That means a lot coming from you.”

“Ah, Navy must be near you. Can she hear me through the phone?” He asked. I paused to see if she would respond. She didn’t. She was staring intently though.

“No.”

“Good. Then keep a straight face while I speak, okay?”

“I can do that,” I nodded like he could see me.