“Is that what you want?” he asked.
All Bailey could do was nod.
Jackson cleared his throat and headed for the door.
****
“You ready for this?” Tommy asked.
Jackson's eyes followed the janitorial employees, as they pushed their cleaning trolleys. Luggage wheels thudded as they hit the spaces between the tiles of the airport. He and Tommy were waiting for Alex to show. Their flight to New York to meet with Lee Records would leave soon. This was their ticket. His life would change if the label offered a deal.
“I think so.” Jackson finished his cup of coffee.
Tommy checked the time on his phone. “Alex better get here. Our flight leaves soon.”
Jackson nodded. “I know.”
Tommy squinted his eyes. “Man, you alright?”
“I'm good.” He didn't want to talk about Bailey. It was over. He should have known it wouldn't last. Online dating was a joke. He gave it a chance, and it didn't work out.
Jackson had other things on his mind. This was a huge career change. Then why did he hear Bailey's voice in his head? Her smooth, sultry voice. He blinked. He needed to forget her.
“You think she's happy?”
Bailey? “Who?” Jackson asked.
Tommy rubbed the back of his neck. “Bailey's friend. Noelle.”
Jackson raised an eyebrow. “She's getting married. I would think so.”
Tommy shook his head. “I don't.”
“You talked to her?”
“I didn't have to.”
Jackson sat back in his chair. “You probably thought you saw something. The woman's taken.”
Tommy’s shoulders slumped. “You're probably right but...”
“But what?”
“I can't... get her out of my head.”
“You only met her once.” Jackson chuckled. Was his friend serious? He hadn’t heard him talk this way about someone in a long time.
“That's all it takes, right?”
Jackson swallowed. He knew what Tommy meant. It only took one glance with Bailey. Then he kissed her, and his heart pounded. Should he have been more understanding? Bailey adopted? How would he feel if he found out his parents weren't his?
He asked Tommy, “So... you know?”
“I think I do.”
Jackson blew out his cheeks. “All I can say is to be careful.”
Tommy nodded. “I don't know what I'm thinking. We need to focus on getting this deal.”