“That was much longer than a minute.”
Keenly aware that Axel is listening, I bite back a snarky retort and keep my voice pleasant. “What can I do for you?”
“For starters, you can get the job done that I hired you for.”
What a horrible woman. I’m so glad I don’t actually work for her. “I finished a tree this morning, and the lights are faulty. I’ll have to do that one over.”
“It goes with the territory,” she snips. “Don’t let me down.”
“I’ve got it under control.” I look at Axel.
“Call me this afternoon to give a full report.”
“Will do. See ya.” I end the call. “I need to get back to work. Duty calls.” I move to stand, but Axel holds up a hand. “Hang on.”
“What?” I ask, bemused.
“How about I make you a deal?”
Curiosity nibbles at me. “What sort of deal?”
“I know this is a big ask, but I’ve been asked to perform at a charity benefit on Christmas Eve. And seeing as how I’m short a drummer, I could really use your help.”
I startle. “My help?”
“Yeah. I’ll pay you well for your effort.” He studies me with a hopeful expression.
This could be the break I’ve been hoping for. But I’m not going to take his money. That would be low—even for me. “I’d have to practice.”
He grins. “I think we can work something out.”
“What type of benefit is it?”
“It’s to help hurricane victims in the town of Mt. Pleasant.”
My blood runs cold. “Mt. Pleasant?”
“Near Charleston, where I grew up.”
Needles rain from the ceiling and pierce every inch of my body. “How’d you get roped into that?”
He raises his eyebrows. “I’d hardly call it getting roped. It’s for a good cause.”
I offer a sheepish grin. “Sorry, that came out wrong. I was just wondering how you got asked to help. Did your manager set it up?”
“No, the woman in charge of the benefit was my music teacher in elementary school. She and my mom are friends.”
I didn’t realize that Mom and Axel’s mom were chummy. I knew that Mom taught Seth—Axel—back in elementary school, but I didn’t realize they kept in touch. Gah! This is getting stickier by the minute.
He gives me a hopeful look. “So … will you do it?”
My own mother is getting Axel to perform at the benefit. Oh, the irony. I don’t know whether to laugh or cry. She didn’t mention anything about it to me. Of course, she has no idea that I’m Jovie Chord and that Axel is a favorite topic for my column.I clasp my hands together and squeeze to the point of pain. “It’s so kind of you to offer, but I don’t think I’m qualified to?—”
“Anyone who can play like that is qualified.” He eyes me in amusement.
“I’d love to do it, but I’m slammed with decorating for the party. Bianca’s riding my case. I don’t see how I can fit it in.”
“It’s a shame for your talent to be wasted on wrapping lights on tree branches,” he says drolly.
