Total pages in book: 72
Estimated words: 67227 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 336(@200wpm)___ 269(@250wpm)___ 224(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 67227 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 336(@200wpm)___ 269(@250wpm)___ 224(@300wpm)
He envisioned more for the Original Kings than they were doing now. Big streaming events and ideas percolated in the back of his head that did not require a manager in order to succeed. With the cache they had in the business, doors would open without one. Bruno Mars, among other artists, had ditched their manager years ago and had been reaping the benefits ever since. The Original Kings didn’t need someone who was more of a liability than an asset taking a cut. No need to replace Dean with another albatross, Dash thought and planned to sit down with the guys to discuss their future.
He pulled out his phone and shot off a quick note to the guys and their attorney, giving them all a heads-up about him letting Dean go and asking their lawyer to make the termination official and handle any fallout.
With business taken care of, he turned to Cassidy, who he now realized had been uncharacteristically quiet. “Hey. What’s up?”
She turned the cell she’d been looking at facedown on her lap. “Nothing. I was just letting you take care of business.”
“Well, it’s all handled for now. What do you say we take the day off and do something fun?”
He’d figure out where and when he wanted to approach Heather for their talk later. He needed to get his thoughts together before he handled that emotional minefield, and a day with Cassidy would help him relax after that interview.
“Don’t you need to get back to the studio?” she asked.
“I think we earned a day of playing hooky.” Reaching over, he tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. He’d been a nervous wreck before and during the interview, but looking out and seeing her in the wings had settled him every time.
Which reminded him. “Was everything okay earlier? I looked over and didn’t see you at the beginning of the second segment.”
A look he couldn’t interpret crossed her pretty face. “I was checking in with Axel, and I lost track of time. I didn’t mean to be late getting back. But you didn’t need me there. You really held your own.”
“I disagree. I did need you.”
Her eyes glazed over, and she turned to glance out the window, giving him the distinct impression she disagreed.
Chapter Eleven
Cassidy might be in a funk that Dash didn’t understand, but he wasn’t going to let her give in to whatever was bothering her. Leaning over, he placed a hand on her leg. His attention caused her to turn around and look at him questioningly.
He pressed a kiss to her cheek. “So … are we taking the day off?” He picked up the question he’d asked her a few seconds ago.
She shrugged. “What did you have in mind?”
“Just tell me you’re in and I’ll arrange everything.” He wanted to see a big smile on her face and knew exactly how to accomplish it.
Besides, he was in the mood to take in the glory of New York City and enjoy the freedom he’d begun to feel with her by his side.
Except she still hadn’t answered him.
“Is something wrong?” he asked, feeling like he was repeating a different form of the same question he’d already asked her.
She’d seemed off since he’d started paying attention to anything beyond his own drama. He’d seen that uncomfortable expression on her face once before, at his family gathering, after Aurora had mentioned the naked groupies, but he couldn’t draw a correlation now. She’d laughed off the woman who’d asked him to sign her boobs and had even been pleased by his response. If something had changed, he was in the dark.
“No, of course not.” She shook her head too hard and he didn’t believe her.
He had no choice but to coax her out of her mood and hope she filled him in later. “Good. So let’s have some fun.”
Picking up his cell, he hit the auto dial for his brother-in-law, a term he was still getting used to.
“Hi, Beck. Remember the new place in Midtown your developer friend opened recently?” He wasn’t about to give names and blow the surprise for Cassidy. “Can you get me and Cassidy in today? And give us about a half hour alone once we’re there.”
“You’re kidding,” Beck said. “You want me to get an entire exhibit emptied out on your whim?”
Dash laughed. “Yeah, I know it’s a big ask, but you are married to my sister so…”
Cassidy rolled her eyes at his pushiness, and he loved the way she handled him. Not kissing his ass. He winked at her and she blushed. Another thing he couldn’t resist. How real she was.
“Rock stars,” Beck muttered. “I’ll handle it and text you with the details.”
“Thanks, man. I mean it,” he said to Beck. “I owe you one. Please let them know I’ll be giving large donations to the charities their ticket sales support,” he said, disconnecting the call.