Music of the Heart, page 7
All of a sudden, a little voice starts heading towards us yelling for Aunt Ashleigh. I look back and see the cutest little girl coming straight for us. Ashleigh grabs her up and starts giving her hugs and kisses all over. The little girl starts belly laughing at her aunt.
“Cross, I would like you to meet my niece, Greer. Greer, this is my new friend, Cross.”
All of a sudden, Greer basically jumps from Ashleigh’s arms to mine. It gives us both a small scare but I catch her in the process. She truly is one of the cutest kids I have ever seen – white blonde curls, bright blue eyes and two dimples in her cheeks.
“Hey Cwoss! My name is Gweer Nicole Anderson. What’s youwa whole name? Where you wurk at?”
I start chuckling because I could easily keep talking to this child all night long and be happy.
“Well, my whole name is Cross Timothy Hamilton and I own a big company here in Atlanta.”
“It’s nice to meet ya. Can youwa take me to get a cupcake and to dance?”
“Greer! Don’t bother Cross with that. I can take you to get a cupcake. We can go find Ava and get you a special one from her. Then we’ll get all the girls and hit the dance floor.”
I look down at Greer and can see a very unhappy look on her face. I’m not so sure she likes Ashleigh’s plan. Then, she let’s her know it.
“No! I want Cwoss to take me, not you. He’s my new fwiend and I want to dance with him and Dixon.”
I look at Ashleigh. “I don’t mind taking her in for cupcakes and dancing. I also wouldn’t mind if you wanted to join us also.”
Laughing, she looks at me and tells me to take Greer back in and she’ll be back in soon. I sure hope so because I find myself wanting to spend more time with her.
Chapter Eleven
ASHLEIGH
The night goes on and after another hour, my family leaves to let my sister put Greer to bed. That is, if she’ll ever go to sleep after all the cupcakes and cookies Cross and Dixon kept sneaking her.
After about another hour, the house is clear of everyone except my girls and the guys. We all go sit down in the den and just relax for a few minutes.
“I want to thank y’all so much for this party. It was amazing and you actually surprised me which is a hard thing to do.”
Merritt looks tired but very pleased. “Sweetie, you know we love you and would do anything for you. We miss you when you’re on tour so we wanted to make sure you had the best 25th birthday ever.”
Ava looks over at me, “please tell me you’re going to open all of your gifts now? I want to see what everyone got you!”
“Gifts?! What gifts? Oh I hate when people buy me things. I always feel bad when people spend their money on me.”
I look over by the fireplace and see several huge stacks of wrapped gifts. I definitely don’t feel like opening anything right now. It’s after midnight and I just want to go home and go to bed.
“Sorry Ava. I’m not going to open them tonight.” She gives me a pouty face. “Y’all can come over for lunch tomorrow and we can order in and you can help me open all the presents. We can have a girl’s day in.”
That makes her happy so we start helping Merritt clean up all the food and most of the decorations. She’ll have a cleaning crew over Monday morning to clean the rest of it.
We say our goodbyes and I head out to my car. I hear someone running up behind me and then Cross calls out to me.
“Ashleigh, wait up!” He catches up to me and I stop to see what he needs. “Hey, I was wondering if maybe you would want to grab dinner sometime with me. I’m leaving on Tuesday for Canada for a business trip but I’ll be back on Friday.”
“Oh Cross, I wish I could. Honestly, I would like to get to know you better but I leave Tuesday also to head back on tour. I’ll only be back for a day after Thanksgiving to do ‘Friendsgiving” with everyone and then I’m gone again until the week of Christmas.”
“Well, damn. I would say let’s meet up before but I have plans and meetings up until I leave.”
We talk a few more minutes with promises to get together as soon as I get home. He walks me to the car and then decides to surprise me with a gentle kiss to my forehead. It feels so intimate and nice. I give him a gentle wave as I pull out onto the road.
Once I get to my house, I bring in all my gifts. I can’t believe everyone brought me something. I know I told Ava I wasn’t going to open them tonight but there is one gift in particular that keeps catching my eye. I grab the box and look for a card but there doesn’t seem to be one. Opening the box, my mouth drops when I see what’s inside. Who in the world would give me a brand new Louis Vuitton purse, wallet and keychain? I notice a note in the bottom of the box and the only thing written on it is ‘Hope you enjoy. From your new friend.’ Cross. It’s got to be from him. But why would he give me such an extravagant gift when up until three hours ago, we couldn’t stand each other?
CROSS
Well, it’s Monday, it’s November 2nd and it’s my 32nd birthday. How am I spending it? I am holed up in my office hammering down last minute details for this Canada deal. I have two of my right hand men in here helping me out who will be making the trip with me. Before I realize it, we’ve been hard at work for four straight hours without a break. A knock on my door breaks my concentration.
Barbara steps in my office, “Cross, you need to eat something. Also, I have a special delivery for you.”
I look at Neal and Blake and tell them to go grab some lunch and to be back up here in an hour to finish up the paperwork to take with us. Barbara walks over with a big bag from the Sweet Peach and sets in on my desk.
“What’s this Barbara? Did you order me lunch today?”
“You know I would have but I didn’t do it this time. One of the girls from the café delivered it and said it had already been paid for.”
With that she walks out and closes my door. I open the bag and find all of my favorites – a bowl of our steaming hot Corn Chowder, a large Muffaletta sandwich with house cut chips, a large sweet tea and a small red velvet cake with one candle in it. In the bottom of a bag, I also find a note:
Cross –
I wish you had told me it was your birthday this weekend. We could have celebrated together at the party. I called Dixon and he told me some of your favorites at the Sweet Peach. Sorry I could not deliver it myself and wish you happy birthday in person but I ended up leaving for the tour a day early as they scheduled some additional appearances in New Orleans tomorrow. Enjoy your birthday and don’t work too hard. Good luck on your business trip as well and be safe!
P.S. Thank you for my gift but it was too much for you to give me. You and I can discuss that when I get back from my tour.
-Ashleigh
Well, hell. She’s already gone on tour. I can’t believe her. This was very sweet of her. I have never dated a girl that did this for me before on my birthday, not even Lindsey. But then again, Lindsey was only using me for fame and money.
We continue working on throughout the day and finally at 5:00, we have everything how we need it. I make sure Neal and Blake know what time to be at the airport as we are flying out on my private plane.
I spend the rest of the night at my parents house celebrating my birthday with all of my family. By the way the conversation is going, I am going to guess that Merritt hasn’t said anything to my mom about Ashleigh and I getting along now. If she had, my mother would be all over me playing twenty questions right now.
After I get back to my condo, I shoot Dixon a text asking for Ashleigh’s number. I get an immediate response from him:
Dixon: What do you want her number for? You’re not texting her and be mean, are you?
Cross: No, you asshole. She had a special birthday lunch and dessert delivered to my office
today and I want to thank her. I wanted to thank her in person but she sent a note
also that said she ended up leaving a day early for her tour. Did you tell her it was my
birthday?
Dixon: Oh. Well, I guess that’s okay. No, I didn’t tell her it was your birthday. Merritt must
Have. Look man, you’re my best friend but she is also like a sister to me so you better
not hurt her. No offense, but I know your track record with women. Not so great man.
Cross: Look, I have no intention of hurting her. Right now, I just want to get to know her.
Dixon: Okay. Her number is 903-6565. Remember… be nice.
Cross:
I head to my room to finish packing. When I get done, I grab a beer and head to my balcony to sit for while. I’m sitting there trying to decide about whether or not to call or text Ashleigh.
As I sit there, trying to decide how she will react with me reaching out to her, I can’t help but wonder what the hell has gotten into me. Any other given night like this and I would be with some girl, who I could care less about, pleasuring her and receiving it back all night long. Instead, I’m sitting here alone, drinking a beer and thinking about Ashleigh. And the biggest thought that keeps popping up in my head is that she just might be the girl to change me for the better and I actually like the sound of that.
Chapter Twelve
ASHLEIGH
We arrived in New Orleans a few hours ago and our crew went out for some delicious Cajun cuisine. Allie and I head to our rooms right after dinner since I have to be up bright and early for a special fan breakfast. I pour myself a glass of wine and run a nice hot bubble bath. As I am sitting there soaking, my phone dings with a text. I grab it and see it is from an unknown number. Normally, I ignore anything from someone I don’t know but I find myself checking it out this time.
Unknown: Hey pretty lady. How is New Orleans treating you so far?
Well, obviously whoever it is knows I’m New Orleans. I’m pretty sure there is no way any crazy fans could have gotten my cell phone number so I decide to ask who they are.
Ashleigh: I’m sorry, I’m don’t recognize this number. Who is this?
Unknown: I’ll give you a hint. Thank you for my lunch today.
Ashleigh: Cross? Is that you?
Unknown: It is me. I have finally slowed down for the day and I wanted to thank you. I wish
I could do it in person but you’re there and I’m here.
Ashleigh: Hold on a minute. I need to save your number in my phone so I can stop
looking at unknown instead of your name.
Ashleigh: Okay, that’s better.
Cross: You just couldn’t resist seeing my name, could you?
Ashleigh: Ha, Ha! You wish. So, have you had a good birthday?
Cross: It was okay. Most of it was spent at the office unfortunately. I was very thankful for the
interruption of your surprise though. It was a well needed break at the right time.
Then my mom cooked all my favorites for dinner.
Ashleigh: Aw, I miss your sweet mom. Please tell her I said hello. So, what would all of your
favorites be?
Cross: Well, she couldn’t make all of my favorites or we would still be there eating. Tonight,
she made me Country Fried Steak, collard greens, mashed potatoes, fried okra, biscuits
and an Apple Pie.
Ashleigh: Oh my God! I think I just gained 10 pounds reading that. I would definitely eat all of
it though.
We continued texting back and forth for a good while. I was turning pruny in the tub so I let him know to give me about five minutes to get out of the tub and I would be right back.
Ashleigh: Okay, I’m back.
Cross: All we’ve done is talk about me. Obviously if you’ve been in the tub this whole time, you
aren’t out living it up in New Orleans. Nothing fun going on tonight?
Ashleigh: I took the whole crew out to Mother’s Restaurant to eat. It was delicious!
Now, I’m getting ready for bed. I have an early breakfast with fans in the morning.
Cross: Sounds like fun. I better let you go so you can get some rest. I’ve enjoyed talking to you
tonight.
Ashleigh: Me, too. I look forward to it again. Good night Cross.
Cross: ‘Night Ashleigh.
Well, that was unexpected and nothing like any of our other conversations have been. Maybe I was wrong about Cross. Maybe he is someone I could see myself spending more time with. That’s if I ever got any spare time from the tour.
I went to bed with a smile on my face and there is only one reason why that could be. Cross Hamilton.
CROSS
The next three weeks go by pretty quickly. I’ve stayed so busy with work and haven’t had much time for anything else. The trip to Canada went awesome and we landed the development deal.
I’ve also spent the past three weeks having some amazing conversations with Ashleigh via text. We never pick up the phone to call each other. We always just text, which works for now. I would love to see her in person but I know her life is as crazy and hectic as mine.
Thanksgiving is fast approaching and my mom and Victoria go all out as we celebrate with the St. James family every year. I remember Ashleigh mentioning something about a “Friendsgiving” celebration. That means I’ll finally get to see her this week sometime.
It’s the day before Thanksgiving and I always close my office the entire week so my staff can have a nice long break. I’m actually meeting Merritt for lunch today. She said she needed to talk to me and it was important.
I walk into Carrington’s and find Merritt. “Hey Mer. How are you today?” I lean down and kiss her cheek.
“I’m great, how are you?”
Before I can even answer, she keeps on talking.
“So, spill it Cross. What’s going on with you and Ashleigh? Look, I’m just going to say it once. You better now screw her over and break her heart. If you hurt my best friend, I’ll never forgive you. And I will choose her over you if it came to that.”
We’re interrupted by the waitress bringing our drinks and some bread. We quickly order and get back to this conversation.
“Fuck, Merritt. You act like I’ve already messed with her heart and screwed her over. All I’m doing is texting her. It’s not like I have these big plans to hurt her. Do you really think that low of me?”
“Cross, I’m sorry. You know you’re like a brother to me but you also know you have a reputation with the ladies. Not to sound crude, you like to fuck them and leave them. Ashleigh is not like that.”
“Look, I know what everyone thinks about me. I’m not proud of it either. But I’ll have you know that I have not had sex with anyone since September.”
With that admission, Merritt starts to choke on her tea. As she catches her breath, I just start laughing. I had a feeling that would be her reaction.
“Are you shitting me right now? You haven’t had sex in almost three months? What is wrong with you? Is it broken?”
“What the hell Merritt? Of course it’s not broken. I have chosen not to have sex. Maybe my priorities are changing. Maybe I’m finally ready to settle down more.”
Merritt pulls out her phone and starts to look something up on it. What in the hell is she doing? So I just ask her, “Merritt, what the fuck are you looking at on your phone?”
“Oh, I’m sorry. I was just checking to see if hell had frozen over yet. You’re ready to settle down? And just who in the hell has made you decide that?”
She just stares at me when realization hits her. Her eyes get huge and her mouth hangs open.
“Oh. My. God. It’s Ashleigh, isn’t it? You really like her. You’re just not messing with her head or her heart. Does she know how you feel?”
“Merritt, I don’t even know how I feel yet. It’s not like I’ve made some huge declaration to her. Right now, I’m just enjoying texting with her. It gives me something to look forward to all day. Please don’t say anything to her. I don’t want you to freak her out.”
“I won’t but you have to promise to keep me in the loop. I will help you out in any way I can. Maybe put in a few good words for you. I like the thought of you two as a couple. I have been waiting for the day when you both met the right person. I actually never imagined it would be each other but I could not be happier.”
We finish up and I head to the wine store to grab a few nice bottles for the ladies for Thanksgiving lunch tomorrow afternoon. Then I head to the gourmet grocery store to get some specialty beers for the guys. I decide after that to go home and just relax for the rest of the night.
I order a pizza and after it is delivered, I sit with a beer and see what’s on TV. As I go to grab another beer, my phone dings with an incoming text.
