He thought again of Steph. She was still keeping him at a distance. If he could just get through that anger, he thought they could connect again. She was still the same person. He’d changed, sure, but he knew he was a better man when he was with her than he ever was on his own. On impulse, he called his manager, Bill.
“I need another week,” he said. “Cancel The Bridgette Show.”
“You can’t cancel three days before!” Bill hollered. “Do you have any idea how many strings I had to pull to get you that gig?”
Griff held the phone away from his ear while Bill worked his way through a furious tirade. When he’d wound down, Griff said, “Look, I’m going to get press without that show.” And my wife back, he added silently.
Bill switched to a cajoling tone that Griff tuned out. The truth was, he’d been in a slump musically speaking. Steph had been his muse for all of his biggest hits. He set the phone down as the inklings of a melody tickled his brain. He grabbed his guitar to capture that gift. He hadn’t written an original song in a year. He composed like a madman for the rest of the night, adding lyrics for the song inspired by Steph. He called it “Missing Limb.”
He played the finished song, euphoric in his creation. This was what it was all about—the music. It was powerful stuff. He let out a satisfied sigh as he carefully tucked the guitar back in its case.
Whether Steph wanted him around or not, he needed to be near her. She was his muse.
~ ~ ~
That night, Dave went from worried to depressed during his phone call with Steph.
“Dave,” she said. “I’m so sorry about this mess with Griff. I don’t want you in the middle of it. He leaves on Saturday, so let’s just wait to see each other until he’s gone, okay? Hopefully we can put all this behind us.”
He didn’t agree to wait until Saturday. He couldn’t afford to give Griffin three whole days to win Steph over while he sat back and did nothing. So he told her the truth, minus one small part, because it was time to bring out the big guns no matter how ridiculous.
“I’ll be glad to put this behind us too,” he said.
“Good.” She sounded relieved. “I’ll call you Saturday. Thanks for understanding. Bye.”
He hung up and promptly went to his car to unload the stuff Barry had put in there. This was a good strategic move, better than anything he’d come up with so far if Barry’s enthusiasm was any indication. This was the big time—the battle of his life, no rules, all-out till the end. It would all be worth it to win Steph.
~ ~ ~
After no small amount of convincing on Jaz’s part, Steph agreed to meet her friend for drinks at Garner's the next night. Thursday was Ladies’ Night, so they got vodka martinis half price. They sat at the bar sipping while Jaz told her about her latest fight with Will over her adult tap-dance class that he said sounded like a herd of hippos.
“And then he strongly suggested I soundproof the wall on my side of the building!” Jaz exclaimed. “He’s the one with the problem. He should—”
“Am I too late?” Amber asked, a little out of breath as she rushed up to them. She scanned the restaurant and turned to Steph, her eyes wide. “I got here as soon as I heard. I was asleep last night when Bare got home, or I would’ve heard earlier. And then this morning…” A flush crept up her neck. “Anyway, I just heard. Bare can go a little overboard. I try to pull him back when I can.” She scanned the restaurant again and halted, staring at the back of the restaurant. “I’m so sorry—”
“Oh, boy,” Jaz said. “I thought it was just a romantic dinner.”
Steph's stomach pitched. What now? She looked to where her friends were staring and reached for calm. “I told him I needed some time. I specifically said Saturday.”
Jaz giggled. “I think it's sweet.”
Steph sent Jaz a dark look. “I can’t believe you went behind my back.”
Jaz held her hands up. “I’m sorry. He stopped by the studio, and he was just so earnest. He loves you, Steph. That can’t be bad.”
“Sorry,” Amber said meekly. “You’re going to get the Bare treatment, except Bare never mentioned…” She giggled and turned to Jaz. The two of them cracked up.