27
Iwas introduced to a whirlwind of people with names and faces I barely remembered. Most started off with small talk about the art, the food, the drinks, until all chit chat inevitably turned toward music. I smiled and nodded politely, but didn't have much to contribute. Luckily, Nathan quickly noticed how out of my depth I was, and smoothly exited those conversations before I could get too uncomfortable.
"Thank you." I hugged his arm and rested my head against his shoulder for a brief moment, grateful that he understood how I'd been feeling.
A hush came over the room and I saw a young woman with messy dark hair come to stand on a small stage at the front. She looked nervous, her face pale, although I had a feeling that might have been her usual coloring. Everyone turned to face her. She cleared her throat.
"Thank you all for coming," she said.
I had to assume this was Cassie Blake, the artist and photographer.
She continued to thank everyone for coming out to support her, talked a little bit about her work, and took a few questions from the audience. The longer she stood up there, the less uneasy she looked, until eventually she was cracking smiles and making jokes with the guests.
I noticed a tall blond man just off to the side of her. He was staring at Cassie, his expression a mixture of satisfaction, love and almost bursting with pride. That must have been her boyfriend August, the drummer. I'd never seen someone look at another human being with such respect and reverence before.
Cassie finished speaking and stepped down from the stage. A relieved look crossed her face. August went to her and dipped his head so he could speak directly into her ear. A soft smile crossed her face at whatever he said. She threw her arms around him and buried her face in his chest, face now flushed pink.
"There's a power couple if I've ever seen one."
A young woman with red hair came up behind Nathan. It was a different sort of red from Cameron's. Not that bright, fire-engine red. More like a darker cherry.
That was when I recognized the women as Cerise Moreau, Gael's sister and lead singer of Cherry Lips.
"I don't think I know anyone more dedicated to their art than those two," she continued.
"High praise, coming from a workaholic like you," the man next to her said with a soft, teasing smile.
Cerise raised an eyebrow. "Pot, meet kettle?"
"Let's not start," Nathan said with a laugh. "We don't need to get into another fight over who's the most committed to our music." Nathan turned to me and nodded at them. "Becca, you recognize Cerise and Liam?"
Once he said the name, it clicked and I realized the man was Liam Knight, guitarist for Cherry Lips and Cerise's boyfriend.
"I saw you guys in concert," I said. "You were awesome on stage."
"Thanks." Cerise looked me up and down, a line between her brows as if sizing me up, then flicked her gaze to Nathan. I didn't know what she saw, but the tension in her eyes eased and she offered me a genuine smile. "Feel free to come watch us any time."
"Do you have more concerts coming up soon?" I asked, surprised. "I thought you were still in the studio?"
Cerise nodded. "We are, but the label's already planning our tour. We're going to be on the road for months."
"Months?" I looked to Nathan. "You're going to be gone for months?"
"We're not going any time soon," he told me. "Like Cerise said, we're still working on the album."
Months.
Nathan was going to be gone for months.
And this wasn't a one-time occurrence, either. He was a rock star. Touring was what they did. He'd even said it, hadn't he, that his mom had gotten Cleo to keep her company when he started touring.
Why hadn't I thought of it before now?
Why hadn't I realized?
"Becca?" Nathan prompted after I'd gone silent. "Are you okay?"
"Yeah. I think these shoes are just a size too small," I said, faking a smile. "Why don't we go see about buying that photo?"
