Empty Net
Page 91

 Toni Aleo

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After signing the proper paperwork, Tate left Elli’s office feeling like he was on top of the world. Shaking hands with Koey, he parted ways and brought out his phone. There was one person who he had to tell and within seconds, her voice filled his ear.
“Tell me that my boyfriend just signed an amazing deal and he is making billions while never leaving me?”
Tate chuckled, “Seven million a year for seven years.”
“Yehaw! Get it, babe! That’s awesome, I’m so proud of you!” Audrey gushed.
Tate smiled, leaning against the wall by the elevator, “Thank you, I am really excited.”
“You should be! When are you coming home? I think this calls for a kiss!” she giggled.
“I was thinking of more than a kiss, love.”
“Mmm,” she cooed in the phone, “please describe what it calls for, in detail.”
Tate chuckled, shaking his head, “You are going to kill me, you know?”
“Why’s that?” she asked innocently. Even though she wasn’t in front of him, he could see her twirling a piece of her hair around her finger, with her eyes wide while biting on her bottom lip. She drove him mad and he couldn’t wait to see her.
“You know why,” he said just as the other Parker sister came into view, “but that doesn’t mean I won’t show you when I get there. I’ll be there soon.”
“Fine, rush me off the phone!” she teased.
Shaking his head, he said, “Bye, love.”
“Bye,” she sang as he hung up the phone.
When Fallon looked to see Tate, her face brightened as made her way towards him, “Well, isn’t this a nice surprise.”
“It is,” Tate agreed, hugging Fallon tightly. “Is there a time when you are not gorgeous?”
It had to run in the family because both the Parker sisters were simply breathtaking. Fallon wore a black power suit with killer red high heels. Her hair was in curls framing her face while her makeup was done softly, bringing out her lips and eyes. Even though she was gorgeous and Lucas would probably murder Tate if he wanted Fallon, Tate wanted no one but Audrey.
With a grin, Fallon’s cheeks warmed, “Oh hush, you’re making me blush!” she giggled, “How are you?”
“Good,” Tate nodded, “Yourself?”
“Just fine, thank you,” she said, “I see you are killing in net. I’m proud of you.”
“Thank you,” Tate said shyly.
“I’m upset with you though.”
“You are?” Tate asked confused.
“Sure am, I haven’t seen you for dinner in weeks. You owe me, Mr. Odder. Even Aiden misses you.”
Tate smiled, “Do you put that guilt trip on your husband?”
Fallon laughed, “Actually I do. He promised me a dinner when y’all get back, can you promise me too?”
“Sure,” Tate nodded.
“Fantastic, I’ll make something yummy.”
“Sounds good. Can I bring a date?”
Fallon’s expression showed surprise, “I didn’t know you were dating anyone. Of course you can, who is she?”
He was surprised Audrey hadn’t told her. Smiling Tate said, “It’s a surprise, but she is gorgeous, amazing and I know for a fact that you will love her.”
Fallon returned his grin, her eyes bright with excitement, “I’m excited to meet her.”
Tate nodded, moving to hug her tightly, “You should be,” he said as he let her go and started to walk away.
“Off to go see her?” Fallon asked.
Tate looked over his shoulder, “Yup and I can’t wait.”
***
Audrey had been so excited to see Tate, it had been a long week without him, but when Piper called the only thing Audrey could do was worry about her. Piper hadn’t ever been upset when she’d called Audrey before, and it worried Audrey to the core.
“Hey you, I’ve been trying to call you all week!” Audrey scolded.
“I know, and I’m sorry, but I need you,” Piper said. She sounded distraught, and it scared Audrey because Piper was always calm, cool, and collected.
“Where?”
“Reese’s studio, Allison has dance.”
“Harper still isn’t feeling well?”
“Not really.”
“Okay, I’ll be there in a few.”
Audrey rushed out the house and into her car, driving north to reach Reese’s studio. After pulling in beside Piper’s car, Audrey got out and sent a quick text to Tate that she would be back at the house in a few. He answered back that he was going to take a shower and that he couldn’t wait to see her. With a grin, Audrey felt like her heart was going to explode. It was crazy how much Tate meant to her in such a short amount of time. He was funny, sweet, and everything Audrey could want in a man. She had wanted a person who would make her forget her past and, boy, had she found him. Even with spontaneous texts from Levi, Audrey could only think of one person and that was Tate.
For once, Audrey was beyond happy.
Walking up to the door of Reese Allen’s Dance Studio, Audrey pulled the door open and entered the modern looking studio. Everything was yellow, and almost blinding, but it worked. With the black vintage accents and awesome lighting, Reese had put together one hell of a studio. From what Piper had told Audrey, Reese was already surpassing a lot of the already established studios in Nashville. She had brought a lot of business from New York, and from all around the world. It was crazy because Audrey thought Reese was a bitch and had no clue why anyone would want to take dance from her.