“Not just small businesses, either,” Molly said. “Caleb says the Women’s Resource Center is always trying to find new ways to get the word out about their work. Nonprofits don’t always have enough money to hire all the staff they need so they get consultants to fill in the gaps.”
“I know some people in New York who manage the social media accounts for Broadway shows. I could put you in touch with them if you want,” Hannah offered. “Like an informational interview. They could share what they’ve learned about running their businesses and how they got started.”
Jo gave a watery smile. “You guys really think I can do this?”
Kyla grinned. “You’re Joelle Aphrodite Baker—”
Jo laughed. “That’s not my middle name.”
“Of course you can do this,” Kyla said. “You can do anything you set your mind to.”
On the table, Jo’s phone buzzed to life, shimmying across the polished surface as it vibrated. A photo Jo had taken of Kat backstage during Midnight Storm’s panel lit up the screen. Immediately, Jo’s stomach sank. Something must be wrong for Kat to call out of the blue. She answered the phone, determined to keep her voice steady despite the panic gathering in her stomach. “Hello? Kat?”
“Jo?” Even through the roar of background noise, Jo knew that wasn’t Kat’s voice. That was—
“Annie?” Jo sprang out of her chair, though she didn’tknow where she was going. She wandered over to the wall of windows, steadying herself with a hand on the cool glass. “What’s wrong? Where’s Kat?”
“She’s right here,” Annie said. “Where areyou?”
“I’m with my friends,” Jo said.
“Aren’t we your friends?”
Jo leaned her forehead against the window, her eyes dropping closed. “Of course we’re friends. I don’t loan my best dresses to just anybody, you know.”
“Then where are you? Daddy said you’d be here.”
Her eyes sprang open. “Your dad said that?”
“Uh huh. You have to see the video we made you.”
There was that stupid flicker of hope again. “What video?”
“You gotta come here and see it. Daddy worked on it for so long. And I helped,” she added proudly.
“Where are you?”
“The place where you met Daddy. Nico says the band plays here a lot, but I think this place is too small. There isn’t even a real stage.” Annie sighed. “You gotta come, Jo. If you don’t come, my wish can’t come true.”
Jo’s heart stuttered. “I’m coming, kid. I’m on my way.”
She hung up and turned back to her friends who were already waiting for her by the staircase. “I have to go.”
“We’re coming with you,” Molly said, handing Jo her purse.
“I told you the hot single dad always falls for the nanny in the end,” Hannah said.
“You said he always bangs the nanny,” Tessa said.
“That too.”
Chapter 20
The Bay Breeze was more crowded than Jo had ever seen it. Behind the bar, Steve struggled to keep up with the patrons clamoring for their next drink. Flanked by her friends, Jo paused in the doorway to the bar, her eyes scanning the crowd. At the opposite end of the bar, Midnight Storm danced and sang their way through “Love Attack,” a mob of fans screaming along. To one side of the stage, a giant screen with the band’s logo projected on it made for a makeshift backdrop.
At the edge of the room stood Gideon, arms crossed in front of him, eyes continuously sweeping the crowd for any signs of trouble. Jo shouldered her way through the mass of fans towards the security guard. “Gideon!” she shouted.
He turned her way, the tiniest twitch of his lip the only indication that he was happy to see her. “Ma’am.”