Sixth Chapter

The day was long and very complicated for Tate.  All she wanted to do was go home, steep a cup of honeysuckle tea and lose herself in a good book or her favorite TV program.  She was closing down shop and getting ready to hail a cab when she was startled by her cell phone, alerting her that she has a text message.  She grabs it from her pocket book looking to see who it was.  A 202 number.  She has no idea who it is.  She swipes right and sees it's a video.  She's floored that it's from Jon Bon Jovi.  Her hands are shaking and she can't stop smiling.  She presses play:

"Hey there.  Sorry to contact you this way, but I was in the area and thought I'd stop by.  I'm downstairs illegally parked if you have a minute.  I'd love to talk to you about a fundraiser I'm playing at Poly Prep.  Come on down, I'll take you for a glass of wine and we'll chat."  They video ended.  Tate was stunned, shocked and even touched.  She stood there at the elevator door, unsure of what to do.  He's down there, waiting for her.  

The sun is bright, as it burns her eyes.  She's been held up in Chris Marshall's penthouse all day, paying no mind to the time of day.  The Escalade that's double parked catches her eye, so do the wailing car horns that are surrounding it.  She walks over to the car, fixed on the man that's smiling at her through the window.  "Hi!"  She says with a smile so big it almost hurts her face.

"Get in." He says, jumping out to open the back door of the Escalade.  "A quick glass of wine and then I'll get you home."  His hand brushes her back as she squeezes in between him and the SUV.  "I promise."

She almost too afraid to talk, even more afraid to refuse so she slides in, hoisting her bag onto her lap, having no idea what's going on. "Okay, one glass.  I'd love to hear about this fundraiser."

He gives her a coy little wink, "I take it you got my message?"

A giggle, "I did."

"Sorry for the intrusion like this, Tate."  He takes a serious tone, not sure if he's crossed a line.

She makes eye contact with him, but quickly looks away.  She doesn't want him to see how nervous she really is, how intimidated she is. "How did you know I was here?"

He runs around the vehicle and slides in the back seat next to her. "You were on the news for one."

"They news??"  She had no idea.  She's been so immersed in the job, she isn't even sure what day it is.  

He watches the surprise fill her face.  The innocence he sees intrigues him even more. "When Chris Marshall's walks across the street, it's news.  Kind of like having his penthouse remodeled."  Jon lays his hand on her knees, as if to tell her to hang on a minute.  He looks up at the driver, "Mark, take us to Von, please."  

"Right away."  Mark, the Arrow driver responds from behind his mirrored sunglasses, watching the two of them in the backseat. 

Giving his attention back to Tate, he looks at his watch, "It's 6:22 now, I'll have you home no later than 8.  One glass of wine, you listen to my proposition and we're out of there.  Deal?"

Tate glances up to look at the driver in the rear view mirror, unable to see his eyes, nods and says, "Down in the Bowery? There's no way I'll be home by 8, even if I left now."  She returns the wink that Jon gave her just moments before, with a smile, "but okay, one glass."  She's silently dying inside and every cell is screaming in excitement, "Just one glass, I have a long day tomorrow."  

They SUV pulls out into traffic and they are on their way to have their one glass of wine and talk fundraising.  "How's it going up there?  He can be quite difficult to deal with."  Jon starts up small talk, just as nervous as Tate is, but he's had years of practice holding his emotions in, I'm public.  

"He and his family are out of town, so it's not too bad.  I just didn't take into consideration that the space is so big and everything needs to tie into his design idea.  I have just under two weeks to finish it, so THAT is the tough part."

"Are you happy with the progression?"

She nods with a child like smile, feeling the sweat covering her palms, "I am.  We've had to make a few changes, last minute, but when it's done, it's going to be beautiful."

"No doubt.  I'm sure he'll be pleased."

Tate gives a sarcastic chuckle, "I'm more worried about Mrs. Marshall."  She let's her gaze fix on the wedding band that's on his finger, feeling her heart sink a little.  She didn't know if he was married or not.  Having kids doesn't make one married, and being a superstar doesn't make him available.  She never really gave it thought.  She had only met him just a few days ago.  She was smitten with him since that cab ride, but was certain she'd never see him again.  "I hear she can be worse than him."

"Quite the opposite.  Pam is an old soul that loves everyone and anything they do for her, regardless if they're being paid or not."  Jon tries to assure her she'll be fine.  "I've worked with her in the past and after researching you, I'm confident she'll love whatever you do in there."