“So, you know this is crazy right? Like certified.”
“What’s the alternative?” I bark out, shoving out of my chair and looking out the window for a moment. “Avery is ready to pop the question to that Chloe chick.”
“You mean Zoe? The wannabe model? Fuck. You’d think Ave would know a gold digger when he sees them. But I guess not everyone can sniff them out like bloodhounds.”
“If I get my marriage annulled and Avery pops the question, he takes over Hardin Records. And that man cannot run this empire.”
“Well, he could. But he’d run it into the ground.” Noah kicks back, lacing his fingers behind his head. I’m glad one of us can relax in the midst of the hurricane.
“Exactly. And I can’t let that happen. He’s reckless, greedy, and acts like this is all a game. He doesn’t care about our dignity, only his name. And he sure as fuck doesn’t care about–”
“The music.” Noah finishes my sentence for me, and I let a breath out.
“Yeah.”
“But you know who does care?” he leans back in, and I look down at my best friend. I know whatever is about to come out of his mouth is the reason he is my best friend. He gets it. “Amanda. Auction and irony and Vegas induced sloppy choices, I’ve seen her profile. That girl knows what the fuck she’s doing. If you want to run this place in a new direction, you made the right move hiring her.”
He’s right. I knew as soon as I saw the way she eyed that Martin and sound board that she was the one for the job. Not to mention the way we talked about music at High Ball. Fuck, I just about wanted to offer her a job there. But I was too busy wanting to get her in bed.
Is it possible I can have my cake and eat it too?
“You think she’ll say yes?” Noah asks.
I sit back down and let out a heavy sigh. “That’s where my money’s at. Literally.”
He nods. “Well. I think you’re a lunatic. But whatever happens, I’m behind you.”
“Thanks,” I nod, and I mean it. Impulsive and cocky or not, Noah’s always got my back.
“There is one little thing though,” he says and my shoulders slump. I should have known there would be “a little thing”. Because while I focus on the bigger picture and make sacrifices where they’re needed, Noah digs through the fine print, looking for even the tiniest hairline fractures he can find. It’s one of the many things he does that drives me crazy. It’s also the reason we do well together. In the end, we meet each other in the middle and get shit done.
“Spit it out,” I snap.
“Is it going to be convincing?”
“Is what going to be convincing?”
“You and Amanda.”
I snort but don’t smile. “You’re kidding right?”
“Not in the least. Do you have a plan?”
“Sure, I have a plan. I’m going to tell my father that I met someone and it’s serious.”
“And you actually think he is going to just hand you the keys to the city of gold the day after you walk in his office with a girl on your arm? No offence, Callum but I think he’s going to call your bluff. Avery’s too. The man is probably expecting the two of you to pull some shotgun shit.”
I hate to say it, but he might be right. I also hate to admit what I am about to admit. But the doors are closed and it’s Noah.
“We had…chemistry,” I spit the word out like it’s sour in my mouth, “On the date. And…after.”
“Oh, I don’t doubt that. She’s a looker for sure.”
My eyes snap up to him and my jaw locks. Noah is stupid enough to go on.
“And that dress? Superb. Even today in that pleather skirt, the girl’s got an ass that won’t quit.”
“Watch it!” I growl but Noah just smiles.
